The federal government of Pakistan announced on Sunday that it has officially designated the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) as a ‘proscribed organisation,’ effectively banning its activities across the country.

In a statement, the government explained that the movement’s activities are deemed a threat to national peace and security. The statement shared with the media read: “The Federal Government, having reasons to believe that the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) is engaged in activities prejudicial to the peace and security of the country.”

Invoking Section 11B of the Anti-Terrorism Act, the government has moved to ban the PTM and prohibit its operations.

The PTM is a well-known movement advocating for the rights of Pashtuns in Pakistan. It has long protested against what it calls discrimination and unlawful actions by the Pakistani military, accusing the Army of committing human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in Pashtun tribal areas.