Pakistani military agencies behind Pashtun genocide: Nadeem Nusrat

The Free Karachi campaign spokesperson, Nadeem Nusrat has lashed out at Pakistan over reports that its military agencies are mobilising Taliban militants in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Province to counter the Pashtun uprising.

In a statement issued by the Free Karachi campaign, Nusrat said, "The irresponsible policies of Pakistani military intelligence agencies have already resulted in massive physical and financial losses to ethnic Pashtuns both in Pakistan and across the border in Afghanistan, and this madness must come to an end."

The former Convener of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) also said that the Pakistan army and ISI, for years, "have been committing mass killings of innocent Pashtuns in FATA, Swat and other areas of Pakistan in the name of military operations against the Taliban and other terrorist outfits."

Hundreds of thousands of Pashtuns have been displaced from their homes during these so-called security operations, but despite the extensive loss of lives and properties, the Taliban and Haqqani network continues to enjoy safe havens in Pakistan, Nusrat told.

The statement further said that military and financial aid Pakistan has been getting from the US and other countries in the name of "war on terror" is being used against innocent Pashtuns, Balochs and Mohajirs. The state of Pakistan is killing its own citizens in the name of military operations in Karachi, other areas of urban Sindh, Balochistan, KPK, and FATA.

Hailing the ongoing Pashtun uprising, Nusrat said that it is "heartening to see that Pashtuns are finally standing up against extra judicial killings, enforced disappearances and terror attacks."

He added, "The Free Karachi campaign extends its full support to the Pashtun movement and offers heartfelt condolences to those in Pakistan and Afghanistan who have lost their loved ones in mindless acts of terror committed by outfits hiding in safe sanctuaries in Pakistan."

Nusrat also assured that the Free Karachi team would continue to raise the issue of human rights abuses against Mohajirs, Pashtuns and Balochs at all international forums, and urged the US administration and the international community to take immediate steps to save ethnic groups and religious minorities in Pakistan.

The Free Karachi campaign kicked up in Washington D.C in January, to champion the rights of the people of urban Sindh Province of Pakistan.