Man who exposed PTM-Afghan nexus killed

PESHAWAR: A man who unearthed a nexus between anti-Pakistan ‘Pashtoon Tahafuz Movement (PTM) and Afghanistan was killed by unknown assailants, ARY News reported on Monday.

Malik Matorke, who told a jirga that no security personnel misbehaved with women during a raid on Shariatullah’s residence in Khaisoor village, was shot dead in a targeted attack.

The security forces on Oct 24 last year had raided a residence of Shariatullah to allegedly recover petroleum company employee Zahidullah. On Jan 18, a PTM worker Noorul Islam approached the residence of Shariatullah and provoked his younger brother Hayatullah and tricked him to into giving a false video statement against security personnel.

Exploiting the situation, the PTM organised a protest against the security forces. The personnel then contacted the family of arrested man and area people. Hayatullah’s mother also rejected the claim by PTM.

Read also: PTM agrees not to raise anti-state slogans after negotiations with tribal elders

A grand jirga in the village on Jan 26 also said they didn’t find any truth in the claim, and termed all allegations fabricated.

Last year in June, the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement had agreed not to raise any anti-state slogans, or instigate against the armed forces and other national institutions.

The breakthrough was made during in a tribal jirga held in the courtyard of former lawmaker Shahji Gul Afridi in Hayatabad area of Peshawar, and was attended by several prominent leaders including Malik Khan Marjan, Ajmal Khan Wazir, former lawmaker Shah Farman and PTM leader Mohsin Dawar.