The federal government has imposed a ban on the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) nationwide. The Ministry of Interior has issued a notification formalising the ban.

The notification, issued on Sunday by the Ministry of Interior, states that the decision to ban the PTM was made based on “concrete evidence.”

It adds that the PTM “is involved in activities that prejudice peace and security of the country.”

It alleges that the “PTM is involved in spreading anti-national narratives and anarchy, posing a threat to the country’s peace and security.”

The ban was placed by proscribing the organisation under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.

The PTM is a rights-based alliance that advocates not only for the de-mining of former tribal areas and increased freedom of movement in those regions but also demands an end to extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and unlawful detentions.

They insist that those responsible for these practices should be held accountable through a truth and reconciliation framework.

In August of this year, the Balochistan government imposed a ban on the entry of PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen into all districts of the province for 90 days.

It is noteworthy that just a few days ago, PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen met with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and invited him to participate in the Pashtun National Court.

The PTM was established in May 2014, initially named the Mohsud Tahafuz Movement. However, it was renamed the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement in January 2018, four years later.

Manzoor Pashteen is the leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement. Several leaders, including Member of Assembly Ali Wazir, are in jail on serious charges, while another member and central leader, Mohsin Dawar, announced his separation from the party in 2021 to form a new party.