The Anti-Terrorism Court Judge, Tanvir Abbas Sipra, issued the order to arrest Manzoor Ahmed Pashteen, the leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), following his absence from court.
PTM had held a protest rally in Tarnol, near Islamabad, on August 18, 2023, against terrorism, enforced disappearances, and military trials of civilians.
The government filed cases against PTM leaders after the rally and arrested some activists for “unlawful assembly and sedition. PTM denied the charges. A case was registered against Manzoor Pashteen at Tarnol police station, including charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
PTM leader Attaullah Jan E Advocate told that the arrest order for Manzoor Pashteen was issued several days ago, not on October 21.
He downplayed the significance, saying it’s a routine court procedure. “When a case is registered against someone and they don’t appear in court, an arrest warrant is issued,” he explained.
PTM leader Attaullah Jan E Advocate stated that the arrest warrant for Manzoor Pashteen was issued days ago, not recently. He added that it’s a standard court procedure when someone fails to appear in court after a case is filed against them.
PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen has been out of public view and hasn’t given interviews recently. He has been arrested multiple times before, with his latest release being on February 7, 2024.
At that time, he had been detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) 3rd clause since January 4, 2024, first in Jhelum, Punjab, and later in Attock jail from January 30, 2024.
Before that, Baluchistan police arrested Manzoor Pashteen on December 4, 2023, in Chaman, Baluchistan, while he was heading to Turbat to join a protest. He was later handed over to Islamabad police.
Pashteen faced four cases, and although bail was granted in two terrorism cases on December 26, he was remanded to police custody in another case. His hearings were previously delayed due to the judge’s absence.
Islamabad court had approved his bail in a case related to foreign funding on January 4.
Pakistani authorities have repeatedly arrested and accused Pashteen of inciting people against the state, which he denies, claiming he fights for Pashtun rights within Pakistan’s constitution.
