The Pashtun Long March reached Karachi despite immense opposition and various attempts in stopping the leader, Manzoor Pashteen, from reaching the venue. The Pashtun’s have been rallying for their civil rights for a long time and their peaceful protest continues to face a media blackout. An official NOC was also issued for the protesters to rally peacefully. Even with restrictive clauses, the NOC was still in effect when all these hurdles were placed in Pashteen’s way.
NoC for Jalsa at Al-Asif Sohrab Goth given for #PashtunLongMarch2Karachi. The Govt denied them permissiom to hold rally at Jinnah Ground a centrallu located area and forced them to do it in Sohrab Goth. However now PTM has official permission. Appeal to all friends to attend 4pm pic.twitter.com/I09BinnLTN — M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) May 12, 2018
Here is a quick overview of the numerous obstacles faced by Manzoor Pashteen and other leaders of the PTM.
Manzoor Pashteen wasn’t allowed to board his booked flight from Islamabad to Karachi. And this was just the beginning of his long journey.
Here you can see @manzoorpashteen left with no option but to leave the airport. The New International Islamabad Airport where Pakistanis need visa from GHQ to even travel internally in their own country. pic.twitter.com/6rd5zeflH0 — M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) May 12, 2018
Two Puhstun elders of Sultanabad subedar Munawar and Khanajan Mehsud has been detained in rangers headquarters since Morning. Another elder of d same area Akbar Jan Mehsud who a PTM meeting is also missing since yesterday. The entire area was made hostage today to stop PTM rally. — Mohsin Dawar (@mjdawar) May 11, 2018
Manzoor Pashteen confirmed another ticket from Lahore but his car was stoped for checking near Lahore airport,they kept checking it for 2 hours,he was allowed to go after the plane took of.
These vehicles has been following his car in Lahore.#Sharamnak#PushtunLongMarch2Karachi pic.twitter.com/66ZjlM3i4u — Mohsin Dawar (@mjdawar) May 12, 2018
Manzoor Pashteen, Bilal and Idress were arrested by Police at Bahawalpur, detained for an hour but has now been released. The agencies vehicles are still following them.#PashtunLongMarch2Karachi — Mohsin Dawar (@mjdawar) May 13, 2018
PTM supporters waited patiently while Pashteen persevered to get to the location.
Political parties arrange chairs refreshments, lighting and and red carpet welcome for the crowd while here in the crowd in #PashtunLongMarch2Karachi is sitting on ground without chairs, carpets for refreshments — Justice For Pashtuns (@justice4pashtun) May 13, 2018
It is dark, few lights allowed in the Jalsa ground still 1000s still in the ground waiting for Manzoor Pashteen. It has been announced from stage that Manzoor has finally reached Karachi pic.twitter.com/ZFpDQftLpl — M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) May 13, 2018
Here is how a revolutionary movement looks like. #PashtunLongMarch2Karachi #Goosebumps pic.twitter.com/08loJB6Rpk — meena gabeena (@gabeeno) May 13, 2018
Here are also some powerful moments, which beg the question of how anti-state PTM really is.
#PashtunLongMarch2Karachi is not alone about Pashtuns. Look at this non Pashtun progressives chanting slogans. pic.twitter.com/CIeCCrdHK5 — Justice For Pashtuns (@justice4pashtun) May 13, 2018
How is it that rightful citizens peacefully supporting each other become a threat to the state? Is the country state property? Or do the common people have any rights over Pakistan as well?
Pakistan ka Jhanda aur Jhanday ki hurmat#PashtunLongMarch2Karachi pic.twitter.com/cl0SQWTmHC — M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) May 13, 2018
Activist Jibran Nasir has a raised a very valid point about the connection between the Pakistani flag and the PTM. Isn’t it the right of all citizens, irrespective of ethnicity or class, to feel safe under the flag wherever it stands tall? Or it the flag’s protection meant for a select few?
This sums up #PashtunLongMarch2Karachi pic.twitter.com/m4L2JeV48d — Bashir Ahmad Gwakh (@bashirgwakh) May 13, 2018
Despite there being a power cut at the venue, the protesters continued their rally peacefully. Not like the mainstream political party supporters who resort to hooliganism to meet their ends. Peacefully protesting citizens? Certainly the greatest threat there is to the political culture of Pakistan.
A #Baloch sister addressing to #PashtunLongMarch2Karachi pic.twitter.com/341ol2Ctbu — Pashtuns Resistance (@PakhtunR) May 13, 2018
Face of the march. This woman has come all the way from Turbat, to raise her voice for her 14-year old missing brother. #PashtunLongMarch2Karachi #MissinginPakistan pic.twitter.com/WTXffRjFt7 — Nosheen Ali (@nosheenali) May 13, 2018
7 year old Aatika’s father has been missing for 2years now, she shares that the family cries on eid while everybody else celebrates – crowd erupts with chants of yei jou dehshatgatdi hai at the #PashtunLongMarch2Karachi pic.twitter.com/ZoeBJVM9tN — Anas Mallick (@AnasMallick) May 13, 2018
An innocent child yearning for her father. Bereaved sisters demanding justice for their brothers. All making their claims and stories known peacefully, have somehow become a threat to state organs. Our markers of anti-state behavior are dangerously messed up, to say the least.
The following tweet sums it all up.
#ManzoorPashteen‘s speech is all about abiding the law & following constitution of Pakistan. Reminding his activists & protesters of peaceful and non-violent protest. And this is the state calls traitor!! #PashtunLongMarch2Karachi — Nudrrat Khawaja (@NudrratKhawaja) May 13, 2018
PTM’s Karachi rally happened against all odds. It was a true power to the people moment as Pashteen reached Karachi after over 40 hours on the road. Only to give the message of peace to his supporters. So the question really is:
How is the PTM as a movement being logically treated as a threat to the nation?