Abhinav Pandya, the Founder and CEO of Usanas Foundation, criticised the Pakistan Army’s crackdown on peaceful Pashtun protesters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). He described the ongoing repression as a part of a decades-old strategy aimed at destroying ethnic identity in the region to secure military control.
Pandya reportedly said that the violence being witnessed today is just a continuation of Pakistan’s long-standing efforts to suppress Pashtun voices. He believed that this approach had taken the form of “state terrorism”.
Strategic Importance of KPK
Pandya explained that KPK holds significant strategic value for the Pakistan Army. He claimed that the region was being used as a hub for covert operations, such as terror training, drug trafficking, and intelligence activities.
He mentioned that in order to maintain authority over the area, the army had been targeting Pashtun cultural identity and pushing Wahhabi-Salafi ideologies to replace the region’s traditionally secular tribal customs.
Past Incidents Not Isolated, But Systemic
Pandya also referred to previous events like the 2019 Kharqamar incident and the arrests of peaceful leaders such as Ali Wazir. He reportedly said that these incidents were not isolated, but were instead part of a wider campaign to crush dissent.
He warned that the lack of global reaction to such incidents only encouraged authoritarian forces further.
Pakistan’s Ethnic Conflicts Are Deepening
The policy expert suggested that Pakistan’s ethnic divisions stem from the very nature of its creation. According to him, the idea that religion alone could unify various ethnic groups has failed. As a result, resistance movements have emerged in Balochistan, Sindh, and the Pashtun belt.
Alleged Ties Between Pakistan Army and Terrorist Groups
Pandya alleged that the Pakistan Army was not just turning a blind eye to terrorist groups but was actively involved with them. He claimed that organisations like the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Haqqani Network, and Lashkar-e-Taiba were operating under tacit agreements with the state.
He argued that in exchange for maintaining influence in KPK and other areas, these groups were allowed to run their operations and impose Sharia law.
‘Hypocrisy’ on Minority Rights
Pandya reportedly pointed out Pakistan’s double standards when it comes to human rights. He noted that while the country regularly raises concerns about Kashmir, it continues to violate the rights of its own Muslim citizens, especially the Pashtuns and Baloch people.
He stated that thousands have been tortured, killed, or disappeared, and that no one is held accountable for these acts. He referred to it as a form of cultural genocide.
Global Silence Criticised
Pandya also criticised international human rights organisations and Western governments for remaining silent. He said they often comment on Kashmir but ignore serious abuses in KPK and Balochistan because Pakistan serves their strategic interests. He suggested that such selective behaviour made global human rights advocacy look insincere and biased.
Final Remarks: Military Control Blocks Dialogue
Concluding his remarks, Pandya said that Pakistan’s refusal to hold honest dialogue with its minorities stems from the military’s authoritarian mindset and its alignment with jihadist ideologies.
He emphasized that no real change could happen unless the world recognized Pakistan for what it truly is — a terrorist state in uniform.
