Movements in a country usually arise when people feel frustrated or dissatisfied with social, economic, political, cultural, or environmental issues. These factors often spark a collective desire for change among certain groups. Manzoor Pashteen, the leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz movement famously known as PTM, made a team of Pashtuns from North Waziristan and started lamsoon which has greatly impacted the Pashtuns living all over the world, particularly in different regions of Pakistan. The term lamsoon in Pashto comprises the instigation and agitation aimed at provoking individuals against authorities. Under the excuse of being an advocate for human rights and civil liberties, the main target of this movement was to destabilize Pakistan, target its sovereignty by creating divisions, and fuel trouble for this whole region.
Currently, the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) became the officially banned organization in Pakistan on 6 October 2024. The government further deliberated this status through a notification of the Ministry of Interior that brought PTM under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997. The government’s decision to ban PTM squarely rested on charges that the organization was involved in activities considered injurious to the peace and security of the country.
Pakistan has a vital geographical position and it plays an important role in the region’s peace and prosperity. This lamsoon agenda movement, which started in North Waziristan, had a clear vision of slowly put an influence on the Pakistani nation as well as the region too. The PTM used techniques of exploiting the genuine grievances among the Pashtun population by staying a champion for their rights but their actions exposed their intentions of deliberate strategy to destabilize the region.
PTM’s lamsoon echoes previously in the Sawat region, where an organization led by Tehrik e Nifaz e Shariat e Muhammadi (TNSM) and later on Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP). These movements aided by PTM created a huge chaos in the region, displacing hundreds and thousands of civilians and forcing the security forces to launch an operation. When there is such an ongoing situation in a country, the whole region gets disturbed. There was so much chaos and restlessness throughout the state and here that lamsoon acted as fuel for PTM to achieve its agenda. In Waziristan, the historical exploitation continued and hence it became heavily influenced by foreign Jihadist ideologies which completely aligned with the PTM’s pattern of creating frustration among locals and other stakeholders.
This propaganda of PTM has impacted the relationship of Pakistan with allies and neighboring states. Proscribed PTM’s agenda was visually aligned with Afghanistan’s policies against Pakistan as a state. This alignment fuels mistrust and complicates the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The biggest challenge both neighbors faced was managing their shared border and fighting terrorism. External actors have reportedly manipulated PTM’s activities against Pakistan and used them as a tool for provoking anti-Pakistan sentiments. This exploitation and manipulation put regional stability at stake and negatively impacted Pakistan’s efforts for better relationships with neighboring countries.
PTM has, directly and indirectly, contributed to a lot of anti-Pakistan agendas by creating false narratives that can adversely impact Pakistan’s ability in the war on terror. The critical demographical structure of Pakistan was exploited by the lamsoon to ensure that there were voices against the governing bodies and the pro-state officials so that their efforts could be ignored or negatively portrayed. However, the PTM continues to act in a manner in which anti-state bodies can gather information or get a foothold within Pakistan under the pretext of defending alleged ethnic rights.
The Pakistani government’s proscription of PTM reflects a broader strategic vision. Pakistan’s Pashtun community, which has always played a vital role in defending unity in the country, should not allow them to create such an environment that can harm the peace of the region, particularly Pakistan. No movement should be permitted in Pakistan unless and until Pakistan reaches the level where things are under control and people are well aware of what to believe and what not to. To do this, we need a comprehensive plan that includes achieving socioeconomic freedom, governmental unity, and strict security measures. Finally, challenging Pakistani Pashtun’s strong spirit, and the state’s developmental goal of inclusions, will reap the most dividends towards preserving Pakistan’s united states and bringing stability to the region.
