Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) strongly condemns the arrests of Ali Wazir and Mohsin Dawar both elected parliamentarian in Pakistan by the authorities of Pakistan following the deadly clashes in the Khar Qamar area of North Waziristan, on 26 May 2019. We also condemn the violence that took place on 26 May 2016 which allegedly killed 13 civilians who participated in peaceful protests as the result of firing from the Pakistan Army.
Both Ali Wazir and Mohsin are members of National Assembly of Pakistan after they were elected in the 2018 general election, representing Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM). PTM is a mass social movement that struggle for human rights, peace and social justice in Waziristan. They were arrested under charges of terrorism, which we believe is a false accusation to curtail the PTM.
The repressions against Ali Wazir and PTM activist under the pretext of counter-terrorism, is absurd, as Wazir and the PTM have been struggling all this while for the rights and safety of the local population against terrorist. Ali Wazir himself was a victim of terrorism as 13 members of his family were murdered by the Taliban terrorists, including his father and brothers.
PSM is in solidarity with Ali Wazir and the PTM in their struggle for peace, freedom and justice and we demand that both parliamentarians be released immediately.
PSM urges the government of Pakistan to:
- Immediate and unconditional release of Ali Wazir and Mohsin Dawar;
- Stop the repression against Pashtun Tahafuz Movement;
- Take actions against those responsible for firing on the peaceful protesters on 26 May 2019.