Bayan News – The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) announced on Monday (October 7) that it will observe a five-day ceasefire out of respect for the Pashtun tribal jirga in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The TTP, which has increased its attacks in Pakistan following the rise to power of the Taliban in Afghanistan, stated that it will halt its attacks against the Pakistani army for five days in deference to the Pashtun tribal jirga.
The Pashtun tribal jirga, supported by the TTP, is scheduled to take place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in four days.
On the other hand, the Pakistani government has opposed the holding of this tribal jirga, and in recent weeks, Pakistani security forces have attacked the tents of the jirga organizers in the Khyber Valley, arresting dozens of members of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) and its organizers.
The TTP’s support for the Pashtun jirga and the declaration of a ceasefire comes as the Pakistani federal government recently placed the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement on the list of banned organizations and prohibited its activities.
Many in Pakistan have protested the federal government’s decision. Afrasiab Khattak, a former member of the Senate, described this move as a “colonial” step, stating that this decision will only strengthen the resolve of the Pashtuns in their pursuit of justice.
He added that the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement was banned by a government that, not long ago, released Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan criminals from prison.
The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement emerged after the killing of Arman Loni in Islamabad, following the organization of a large Pashtun tribal jirga.
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