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Pakistan Arrests Leader of Social Movement Critical of Army

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has arrested the leader of a social movement,
   which is campaigning against human rights abuses allegedly carried out
   by military forces during counterterrorism operations in areas near the
   border with Afghanistan.

   Manzoor Pashteen of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) was detained
   along with six others in an overnight raid in the northwestern city of
   Peshawar, local police confirmed Monday.

   Pashteen, 27, was accused of denouncing Pakistan's constitution, using
   insulting and threatening language against the state in one of his
   recent public speeches, according to a copy of the police complaint
   filed against him.

   A court in Peshawar later authorized police to keep Pashteen in
   detention for 14 days to investigate the charges against him.

   Mohsin Dawar, a key PTM leader and member of the national parliament,
   demanded immediate release of Pashteen.

   "This is our punishment for demanding our rights in a peaceful &
   democratic manner. But Manzoor's arrest will only strengthen our
   resolve," he tweeted.

   Dawar urged PTM workers and supporters "to remain calm" in the wake of
   the police action, promising to "devise a strategy after
   consultations."

   PTM activists and leaders, including Dawar, have been arrested
   previously but this was the first time Pashteen has been detained.

   Amnesty International has also criticized the arrest.

   "Manzoor Pashteen has been arbitrarily detained for exercising his
   human rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. He must be
   released immediately and unconditionally," the group tweeted.

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