JAMRUD, Pakistan — Thousands of people gathered in the Jamrud area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the “Pashtun Justice Jirga,” a three-day assembly organized by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) to address forced disappearances, insecurity, and violence in Pashtun-majority areas of Pakistan.
Led by Manzoor Pashteen, PTM members and attendees are exchanging views on how to address long-standing issues affecting Pashtun communities, including extrajudicial killings and discrimination. The Pakistani government initially opposed the gathering, but the Jirga was permitted after negotiations with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister, Ali Amin Gandapur.
While the assembly was scheduled to begin on Friday, participants reported that logistical challenges delayed the official start until Saturday afternoon. Under large tents, attendees discussed strategies to confront the challenges faced by Pashtuns.
The Jirga convenes amid rising violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, including a recent attack on a coal mine that left 21 people dead, most of them Pashtun. Political tensions also persist among Pashtun political parties, though Pashteen noted that delegates from various parties were present and urged them to set aside differences to address community issues.
Founded by Pashteen in 2014, PTM is a civil rights movement advocating for the rights of Pakistan’s tribal regions. The group’s demands include an end to enforced disappearances, unlawful detentions, and extrajudicial killings, as well as greater accountability through a legal framework.
