A human rights organization has expressed serious worries about the enforced disappearance of Pashtun human rights activists in Pakistan. One activist, Fareedullah Afridi from the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), was reportedly abducted in Peshawar on May 18. The police have not taken any action despite requests from his family to investigate the incident.
Amnesty International highlighted a disturbing trend of enforced disappearances of PTM activists by state authorities in Pakistan. The organization urged for an immediate, transparent investigation into Afridi’s abduction. If in custody, his location should be revealed, and he should be released promptly, with those responsible held accountable as per international human rights standards.
In a separate incident, Amnesty International also raised concerns about the disappearance of activists Hanif Pashteen and Noor Ullah Tareen, who were taken into police custody in November 2025. The organization called for the release of these activists and demanded that their whereabouts be disclosed to their families to prevent potential human rights violations.
Amnesty International warned that the secret detention of these activists poses risks of torture and other serious violations. The organization criticized the lack of transparency surrounding their disappearances and highlighted a broader crackdown on PTM members by Pakistani authorities, including arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances.
