Pashtuns on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border are demanding their rights. They claim that Pakistani generals have turned Pashtun areas into war zones, TOLOnews reports.
According to Pashtun activists in Chaman, the Pashtuns (most of whom live in Afghanistan) have always been oppressed in neighbouring Pakistan and the current situation must change. Participants in the movement warned that they were ready to make any sacrifice to obtain their rights.
Ahmad Khanparticipant in the protest movement, explains:
“Pakistani generals have deliberately turned Pashtun areas into war zones and do not want the people in those areas to live, be educated or develop normally.”
Another activist Gausulla saying:
“We want Pakistan to stop its unjust policies against the people of Chaman, otherwise we are ready to sacrifice our lives.”
“People’s rights must be respected here and their rights must be guaranteed. Durand Line (unrecognized border between Afghanistan and Pakistan – approx. EADaily) is not acceptable and we do not accept passports. We must sit down together and find a solution to change the situation.” – said the protester Azam Khan.
Protests against the Pakistani government’s decision to make visa-free border crossings at the Spin Boldak-Chaman checkpoint have been going on for nearly a year and so far the protesters’ demands have not been met.
