PTM Protests Against Pakistan’s Bombing in Afghanistan, FBM Takes Part
HELSINKI: A protest demonstration was held in Helsinki outside the Finnish Parliament against Pakistan’s bombing in Afghanistan and the killing of Afghan civilians. The protest was organised by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) and was joined by leaders and activists of the Free Balochistan Movement (FBM).
Participants condemned the airstrikes in Afghanistan, describing them as an act of aggression and expressing concern over the deaths of civilians. Speakers at the event said the loss of innocent lives constitutes a serious humanitarian issue and called for the protection of civilian populations in conflict zones. They also argued that attacks affecting civilian areas would violate international humanitarian law and the principles governing armed conflict.
Protest speakers called for an independent international investigation into the incidents and urged the global community to examine the situation closely. They also expressed disappointment over limited international response to the civilian casualties.
Several PTM representatives addressed the gathering, including Shafiq Ullah Yousafzai, Abdul Bari Barech, Javed Jan Malakhel, Ghulam Sadiq Khan, Zarghoon Shah Amin, Wali Jan Sailab, Nafisa Azizi, and Ustad Banaras Khan. They stated that military operations in Pashtun regions and Afghanistan have contributed to instability and hardship for civilians in the area.
Members of the Free Balochistan Movement’s central leadership, MB Marri Baloch and Advocate Sadiq Raisani, also spoke at the protest. They said Pakistan’s military policies have had broader regional consequences and added that human rights violations have occurred in Balochistan and the Pashtun regions over a long period.
Speakers urged international bodies, including the United Nations, the European Union, and global human rights organisations, to take notice of the situation and consider practical steps in response to the bombings and civilian casualties.
The protest concluded with participants expressing solidarity with the Afghan people and calling for peace, justice and stronger protection of human rights in the region.
