June 17, 2023
By Ahmed Saeed
DERA ISMAIL KHAN/LAHORE
Police arrested Alamzaib Mahsud, a prominent activist associated with the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), from his residence at around 2:00 am today (Saturday). His arrest has raised concerns within the PTM, which alleges that it is part of an ongoing crackdown against the movement.
Mahsud was swiftly transferred to the Saddar Police Station, where he was charged under Section 9 (d) of the Narcotics Control Act. The police filed the First Information Report (FIR) at 7:15 am, citing the recovery of approximately one kilogram of charas from his possession.
Known for his vocal stance against enforced disappearances, Mahsud utilized social media platforms to raise awareness about the issue. His arrest has been widely condemned by PTM leaders, who view it as an attempt to suppress their movement and silence their demands.
Furthermore, three PTM members, Eid Rehman, Zakim and Jalal Wazir, have been reported missing for the past three weeks. Their disappearances prompted the PTM to stage a sit-in outside the Miranshah Cantonment, ongoing for the past few days, demanding the immediate release of their fellow activists.
PTM’s leadership, including MNA Ali Wazir and its chief Manzoor Pashteen, are leading the protest. They have called on civil and military authorities to recover all missing persons and apprehend those involved in this “inhumane practice.” Meanwhile, there are no clues as to the well-being and whereabouts of the three missing PTM activists.
Simultaneously, the FIA Cyber Crime Wing Peshawar has summoned five prominent PTM leaders, including Ali Wazir and Manzoor Pashteen, to appear before them on June 23. The other three individuals summoned are Alamzaib Mahsud, Hazrat Naeem and Abdul Samad Khan. These leaders and political activists are accused of allegedly inciting the public against the Armed Forces through social media.
Ali Wazir was elected as an MNA from NA-50 North Waziristan. In December 2020, he was arrested by Karachi police from Peshawar on treason charges and for making speeches against the armed forces. He remained behind bars for 26 months and was released on February 14, 2023.
