ISLAMABAD: Pashtoon Tahafuz Movement (PTM) chief Manzoor Ahmad Pashteen on Friday joined the protest sit-in of Chitrali youth outside National Press Club in Islamabad and berated the state for its failure to ensure basic rights for the people of Chitral even after over 75 years since creation of Pakistan.
The Chitrali youth, led by social activist Pir Mukhtar, started their protest in Peshawar three weeks back and later moved to the federal capital where he has been on a hunger strike for the last four days.
The protesters are demanding supply of electricity to Chitral, construction of roads and against leasing of minerals to outsiders and rampant cutting of forests.
They say even after completion of the 108 megawatt Golen Gol hydro power project Chitral was facing power crisis. The protesters have vowed to continue their peaceful sit-in till resolution of the issues.
Manzoor Pashteen, accompanied by a large number of his supporters, on Friday reached the venue from Peshawar and joined the Chitralis’ protest, vowing he would continue his support for the just demands of the youth from Chitral.
Addressing the protesters amid chants of Chitral ko Haq do, Ek Riasat do qanun na manzoor, the PTM leader reminded the rulers that the peace-loving and law-abiding people of Chitral had been ignored for long.
“Today the youth of Chitral are on the roads seeking their basic rights but no authority in the government has so far bothered to visit their protest camp and listen to their grievances to remove them.”
He said the state had failed to provide justice to the people of Balochistan, Sindh and Gilgit-Baltistan and its policies caused bloodshed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He assured the youth of Chitral of his support and asked them to continue their struggle to achieve their rights.
Later, a walk was also held form the press club to China China Chowk. Among others, MNA Abdul Akber and Senator Falak Naz also attended the protest today.