Pashteen vows to oppose sale of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s natural resources — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): Manzoor Pashteen, leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), says he will oppose plans involving the sale and investment in the mines and natural resources of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, vowing not to allow these resources to be sold. In a video message, Pashteen said a programme concerning the sale of mines, natural resources and other assets of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a predominantly inhabited by Pashtuns, was scheduled to take place in Islamabad on November 12 and 13. He said the KP’s assets belonged to the Pashtuns and that Punjab had neither the authority nor the right to sell them. Pashteen said a protest would be held outside the World Bank’s office in Washington, the US capital, against the decision. He called on all Pashtuns to raise their voices over the issue. He added that they had obtained the email addresses of companies involved in the programme and planned to send them protest letters opposing agreements for the sale of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s mines and natural resources. Pashteen also alleged that counterterrorism operations in Pashtun-inhabited areas were part of a plan to forcibly displace Pashtuns and seize their natural resources. The remarks came after the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum was held in Islamabad on November 12 and 13.