Toronto: An anti-Pakistan protest was held by the Pashtun Council Canada in Toronto against the recent firing by Pakistani security forces on a rally of Pashtun activists in South Waziristan.
The protests were also carried out against the state-sponsored Taliban, which is responsible for attacks on innocent Pashtuns.
Pashtuns have long blamed that they have been victims of gross human rights violations by Pakistan’s military in federally administered tribal areas.
Now, Pashtun community, is saying that the world has exposed the brutal face of the Pakistan Army.
The protesters staged demonstrations to show their solidarity with the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) activists.
Several PTM activists were allegedly killed as Pakistani security forces attacked a peaceful rally in South Waziristan earlier this week.
The protesters demanded an investigation into the attack and asked the international community to intervene.
Pashtun Protester, Dr Deedar said, “According to the constitution of Pakistan everybody has the right to exercise their peaceful protest but whenever Pashtuns did it, they have been defamed, tortured and ultimately killed. And this game is going on for so many years. So, now this blame game and Pashtun genocide should be stopped. I urge the human rights activists, civil society and politicians to raise their voice against this inhumane act in which they are killing innocent Pashtun.”
Not only Pashtuns, Sindhis, Baloch, Mohajirs and Afghans – who are all victims of the Pakistan’s atrocities, also took part in the protest.
“We have gathered here to seek justice against those who have been carrying out atrocities on us,” said a protestor.
The Pashtuns are getting the support of communities like Baloch, Sindhi and others as they are also facing atrocities by state and non-state actors in Pakistan.
An activist of World Sindhi Congress said, “We have faced state atrocities for long, but we have no option but to unite and fight against it. We have faced violence for many years and now we have to join hands to fight against it.”
Pashtuns have long blamed that they have been targets of military operations, internal displacement, ethnic stereotyping and abductions by the Pakistani security forces.
They allege that Pakistan army functions along with militant groups in the region and indiscriminately use force against innocent Pashtuns. (ANI)