AMN

Thousands of Pashtuns defied authorities and held a mass rally in Lahore today, chanting anti-military slogans just hours after security forces cracked down on their leaders.

The rapidly growing Pashtun Protection Movement arrived on the scene three months ago with a nationwide campaign against alleged abuses against ethnic Pashtuns by security forces.

The Pashtuns are ethnic group that straddle both sides of the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Both the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban are dominated by Pashtuns, leading to repeated military operations in the region.

PTM’s leader Manzoor Pashteen today addressed supporters and lashed out at the country’s top military brass over their alleged abuses and “dirty tactics”. He said they are thieves and they have only one goal in life, that is to make as much money as they can.