By 
4-12-24
Zara Ahmed
Pakistan Researcher,
Global Human Rights Defence.
After violently suppressing the PTI protest in Islamabad on November 26, Pakistani authorities are allegedly harassing and detaining Pashtun and Afghan individuals in what lawyers and activists have described as ethnic profiling. To provide some context, Pashtuns and Afghans are being targeted because PTI is the ruling party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a predominantly Pashtun region that also hosts a significant number of Afghan refugees.
Unfortunately, in Pakistani politics, ethnicity often becomes a point of conflict, with higher authorities targeting vulnerable populations when they lack effective means to address political crises. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan condemned the ethnic profiling of “ordinary Pashtun citizens” detained by Islamabad police. The commission warned that such actions would further divide the country and fuel resentment among different communities.
Several activists have alleged that they are being stopped by police in various areas of the capital, where their phones are being checked. Advocate Imaan Mazari, who is pursuing the case of detained PTI protesters, raised the issue on social media and, along with her fellow lawyers, submitted a letter to the IG Islamabad demanding an end to the unlawful actions against Pashtuns. “After submitting this application/representation, we met with the IG Islamabad, who assured us that a high-powered commission will be constituted to enquire into this matter,” her post read on X.
On the other hand, Islamabad police categorically denied any arrests based on Pashtun ethnicity, calling such reports “propaganda.” They maintained that legal action is being taken against miscreants irrespective of their ethnicity or region. Imaan Mazari also criticised PTI for failing to support detained Pashtun workers imprisoned in Attock and Jhelum jails in Punjab province following the protests.
On November 24, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is imprisoned on multiple charges, called on his supporters to march to the capital and stage a sit-in to demand his and other political prisoners’ release. However, authorities had sealed off the capital and met the protesters with an iron hand on the night of November 25, resulting in dozens of deaths, several injuries, and reports of missing individuals following the crackdown. Chief Minister KP Ali Amin Gandapur, who led the PTI protest, urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take notice of the alleged discrimination and harassment of Pashtuns.
References:
Guramani, Nadir. CM Gandapur raises ‘arbitrary rounding up, filing of cases’ against Pakhtuns with PM Shehbaz. Dawn. December 4, 2024.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1876701/cm-gandapur-raises-arbitrary-rounding-up-filing-of-cases-against-pakhtuns-with-pm-shehbaz Accessed December 4, 2024.
An urgent and transparent investigation is needed into deadly crackdown on opposition protesters. Amnesty International. November 27, 2024
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/11/urgent-and-transparent-investigation-needed-into-deadly-crackdown-on-opposition-protesters/ Accessed December 4, 2024.
Asad, Malik. 139 PTI workers sent on five-day physical remand in Islamabad. Dawn. December 1, 2024.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1875940 Accessed December 4, 2024.
Mazari Hazir, Imaan Zainab. X. @ImaanZHazir. “After submitting this App/Representation, we met w/ IG @ICT_Police who assured us that a high powered commission will be constituted to inquire into this matter. We will pursue this till its logical conclusion. Harassment & profiling of Pashtuns must come to an end immediately.” Posted: December 4, 2024.
https://x.com/ImaanZHazir/status/1864232909864890850?t=zbqN5IWWpYBsLK7rE0KCnw&s=08 Accessed December 4, 2024.
Mazari Hazir, Imaan Zainab. X. @ImaanZHazir. “PTI leadership & legal team have completely abandoned Pashtun workers and have not even bothered to try to help the hundreds of Pashtuns being racially profiled and locked up in Attock or Jhelum Jails. PTI leadership used Pashtun workers as cannon fodder & now refuses to step up!” Posted: December 4, 2024.
https://x.com/ImaanZHazir/status/1864142299275395525?t=Q34eQwc63fnQbB0jGzNcBA&s=08 Accessed December 4, 2024.
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP). X. @HRCPp87. “HRCP is deeply concerned by the alleged ethnic profiling of ordinary Pashtun citizens after taking them into custody. The Islamabad police must refrain from any such actions that create divisions among various communities living in the country.” Posted: December 4, 2024.
https://x.com/HRCP87/status/1864175620235870673?t=vNhEAkcf3c-9YVx6s-dpmQ&s=08 Accessed December 4, 2024.
Islamabad Police. X. @ICT_Police. Tweet in Urdu. Posted: December 3, 2024.
https://x.com/ICT_Police/status/1864035010321539547?t=tkbRpCy2aWagPqwa5fsRPQ&s=08 Accessed December 4, 2024.
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