The PTM London Jirga raises questions about foreign influence, funding, and the movement’s true agenda, while ignoring terrorism, security operations, and the sacrifices of Pashtuns in Pakistan.
The “Pashtun National Jirga Europe,” held in London on 7 December 2025 and organized by PTM’s UK chapter, was presented as a human rights gathering. However, a closer examination shows it was a carefully staged propaganda event rather than a genuine forum for Pashtun concerns.
Instead of highlighting legitimate grievances, PTM used the Jirga to internationalize Pakistan’s internal matters, promote separatist sentiment, and shield terrorist networks. Afghan nationalist symbols—including Afghanistan’s national anthem and flags—were prominently displayed, signaling whose interests PTM truly serves. Children and attendees were actively encouraged to participate, emphasizing the orchestrated nature of the event.
The Jirga conveniently ignored Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war against terrorism, the protection of Pashtun civilians, and the over 94,000 martyrs lost defending the nation. By starting with Afghanistan’s national anthem and displaying Afghan flags, PTM publicly demonstrated loyalty to a foreign state rather than Pakistan, questioning its claim to represent Pashtuns living in Pakistan. Reports indicate that most participants were Afghan nationals rather than Pakistani Pashtuns.
Afghan-based nationalist elements, advocating ideas such as a “Greater Afghanistan” (Lar-o-Bar), appear to be using PTM as a political vehicle abroad. Pakistani Pashtuns, historically, have rejected such expansionist narratives.
PTM’s leadership seems aligned with groups pursuing anti-Pakistan agendas. In September 2025, Mohsin Dawar, chairman of the National Democratic Movement (NDM),formerly leader of the PTM, attended a meeting organized by the Baloch National Movement, known to be part of an organized disinformation campaign by India against Pakistan. Fake NGOs and international organizations are reportedly being formed to defame Pakistan—a pattern reflected in PTM’s London Jirga.
PTM’s UK chapter is reportedly run by Afghan nationals with minimal genuine representation from patriotic Pakistani Pashtuns. The movement amplified anti-Pakistan rhetoric while remaining silent on terrorists operating in the region.
Its narrative frames Pakistan’s lawful security measures as oppression, ignoring that TTP and other terrorist groups continue to target Pashtuns. This selective outrage exposes PTM as a soft proxy for terrorist networks.
Earlier in January 2025, a known commander of the banned Harbiyar Marri group attended a PTM meeting in London. Both the BLA and Majeed Brigade are designated foreign terrorist organizations. The presence of Harbiyar Marri at PTM events speaks volumes about banned outfits supporting the movement.
The Jirga claimed that state institutions are suppressing Pashtun rights but deliberately ignored that security operations are essential to dismantle terrorist networks and protect civilians. PTM manipulates local issues into international propaganda to delegitimize Pakistan’s counter-terror efforts.
By presenting Pashtun issues as a global crisis, PTM bypassed Pakistan’s independent judiciary, legal avenues, and democratic processes. The event ignored cross-border terrorist attacks, drone strikes on TTP hideouts, and efforts by the state to protect Pashtun areas.
PTM repeatedly misrepresents local security measures, protests, and administrative actions as oppression while ignoring that these areas are under constant threat from terrorists and cross-border infiltration. Reporting unrest in places like Lower Azam Warsak as government failure omits the root cause: terrorists exploiting border regions and local communities to plan attacks. Claims that activists are “abducted” or “harassed” ignore the fact that those arrested are often linked to facilitating terrorist networks.
A critical question remains: how is PTM funding its international advocacy campaigns and chapters? Organizing such global events requires significant resources—far beyond what a domestic grassroots movement could sustain. The involvement of Afghan nationals and the use of Afghanistan’s flags suggest foreign influence, raising serious doubts about PTM’s independence and intentions.
PTM’s international activities, including the London Jirga, must be scrutinized for foreign influence, funding sources, and selective advocacy. True representation of Pashtun rights cannot ignore terrorism, national security, or Pakistan’s sacrifices. By playing into the hands of actors destabilizing the country, PTM risks undermining its credibility and the very people it claims to protect.
Ikram Ullah Kakar holds an MPhil in International Relations from Quaid-i-Azam University. He writes on geopolitical affairs, counter-terrorism, and security issues in Pakistan and the wider region.
