SWABI: Ali Wazir and Mohsin Dawar, MNA belonging to the Pakhtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), said Sunday that dialogue was the only way to find a solution to the problems faced by the Pakhtuns and improve law and order in tribal areas .
Speaking at a PTM meeting at the residence of the party leader, Dr. Mohammad Jasim, and then speaking with DawnWazir said he and his party were in favor of the talks, but it was not clear who they should start negotiations with.
He said the PTM wanted a lasting peace in the tribal regions and for that purpose he was ready to sign an agreement with the ruling party.
He said the PTM was fighting for Pakhtuns rights but that if the agreement reached with the government was not implemented, that agreement would be useless.
Responding to a question, he said that PTM's demands included the recovery of missing persons, the restoration of peace in tribal districts and the protection of the rights of the Pakhtuns.
He called on the government to set up a committee to hold negotiations, adding that the members of that committee should have the authority to make decisions.
He said that the Pakhtuns were the biggest victim of illegality in the tribal areas of the country and that they had suffered great losses. The economic infrastructure in the tribal areas was destroyed, its financial position weakened and educational institutions stopped working, he said, adding that thousands of Pakhtun families were displaced due to terrorism and military operations against militants in tribal areas.
Wazir said illegality also had a negative impact on the Pakhtun culture. "Our struggle for the rights of the Pakhtuns would continue endlessly."
Posted on Dawn, October 7, 2019
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1509447/ptm-leader-calls-for-talks-with-govt