KARACHI: Irrespective of their political affiliations, a large number of Pakhtuns converged outside the Karachi Press Club on Sunday to perform their traditional dance Attan.

It was in defiance of the recent clashes in Punjab University (PU), where students belonging to the Islami Jamiat-i-Talaba (IJT) alle­gedly attacked a Pak­htun cultural event causing injuries to many.

The incident, which occurred on March 22, is termed by many an attack on the Pakhtuns. The same sentiment was voiced by party members and students who had gathered outside the press club on Sunday evening.

Organised by the Awami National Party, other participating political parties included the Pak­htunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).

Mohammad Ulasyar, mem­ber of the PkMAP in Karachi, said: “The prejudice faced by the Pakhtuns in Punjab and elsewhere is perpetuated due to their stereotyping as terrorists in the national media. The same students who attacked us shelter people belonging to terrorist organisations. But no one notices that.”

Sajid Khan of the ANP said: “The attack on students celebrating Pakhtun Cultural Day is reactionary. It is by the same group that works as the state’s thunder squad. We’ll react to them by celebrating the way we have always done.”

Right outside the gates of the club, a truck was parked from where the hosts made announcements while the students and party members, mostly from Gadap and Baldia Town, were dancing.

Speaking about the incident, a Jamaat-i-Islami spo­ke­sperson said: “The clash in Punjab University occ­urred because a Pakistan Day programme was arr­anged by the IJT near the site where the Pakhtun Cul­tural Day was being celebrated. Our students com­pla­ined about the noise which started the fight. Both groups are responsible not just one.”

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2017