Thousands of people protested against the unrest and military operations in North Waziristan, particularly in “Mir Ali.” The demonstrators made several demands of the government, with the most prominent being that they are unwilling to leave their homes. They stated, “You can carry out an operation or do whatever you want, but we will not vacate our homes.” Many tribespeople also gathered to offer Friday prayers in Mir Ali Bazaar.
The protest included individuals from all walks of life, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader Mufti Misbah-ud-Din. However, Manzoor Ahmed Pashteen, who has been accused of fostering division between Pashtuns and Punjabis and who promotes the slogan “Lar-o-Baru Pashtun,” is not participating in this protest. He is reportedly hiding somewhere in the forests of Nepal, having misled the youth into believing that the state is oppressing them.
Some people suggest that he is actually being sheltered by the establishment in Cantt, and that Murad Saeed is with him. However, when the time for sacrifice has come, the leadership of JUI is at the forefront of the protests. Unfortunately, during election time, many simple-minded Pashtuns forget the scholars and sometimes vote for those they perceive as belonging to foreign influences or for dissenters, ignoring the voice of wisdom in their community.
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