Anti-Taliban Pakistani Political Movement Struggles to be Heard

When thousands gathered in a former Taliban stronghold in Pakistan’s South Waziristan region to denounce the militants’ actions in Afghanistan, the mass rally attracted little attention among Pakistani news networks. Those who say there’s no censorship & media in Pakistan is freer than UK’s should watch videos of PTM jalsa in Makin South Waziristan today. Then search for a line about it in mainstream media. If in vain then recall Judge Isa words “nebulous tactics” & ponder over it. Will help A huge gathering of Pashtuns in Makeen, South waziristan, today organised by PTM. The gathering opposed the undeclared war against Afghanistan from Pakistani side killing innocent people. A demonstration of solidarity with Afghan people/peace/republic. No coverage in Pak media. pic.twitter.com/L3iHgfWT3i

Journalists and rights associations say the lack of coverage of last month’s rally is a result of a long-running government campaign to deprive the organizing group of attention, and a sign of the government pressures Pakistani media endure. The group behind the rally — a broad-based civil rights movement known as Pashtun Tahafuz (protection) Movement (PTM) — is popular among young ethnic Pashtuns in Pakistan’s northwest, where for years people have borne the brunt of the Taliban’s battle with the Pakistani military. The group’s leaders are highly critical of the Taliban as well as the military’s leadership, saying their communities have suffered from state-sponsored terrorism because of Islamabad’s longtime ties to the Taliban.