In times of conflict, truth becomes the first battlefield, and those who manipulate it become no less dangerous than those who carry weapons. The recent attacks on mosques, schools, civilians, and political figures in Pakistan’s tribal areas expose the brutal nature of Fitna-al-Khawarij. These terrorists do not represent Islam, Pashtun values, or any moral cause. Their war is against faith, education, peace, and the future of Pashtun children. When a mosque in Hassan Khel is attacked and schools are branded as “infidel institutions,” the mask falls completely. No movement that destroys places of worship and learning can claim religious legitimacy. Yet, instead of confronting this evil honestly, PTM and its sympathizers repeatedly attempt to redirect public anger toward the Pakistan Army.
This pattern is not accidental. It is part of a larger deception in which terrorism is hidden behind slogans, and hostile propaganda is dressed up as human rights activism. The Khawarij have long sought to weaken the state by targeting civilians, religious institutions, teachers, elders, and security forces. Their aim is to create fear and mistrust. PTM’s role, whether direct or indirect, has been to amplify confusion by blaming the state even when terrorists are clearly responsible.
Such conduct does not protect Pashtuns; it protects those who are destroying Pashtun society from within
The recent quadcopter attacks in Spin Wam and Akakhel show that terrorist networks are no longer relying only on traditional methods. Their use of drones points to growing technical support, training, and resources, likely enabled by hostile foreign handlers. These weapons have reportedly been used after extortion demands, targeting political figures, innocent families, and children. Yet PTM avoids serious discussion of this dangerous technological shift. Instead, it pushes claims that blame the Pakistan Army, creating suspicion between tribal citizens and the state. This is propaganda by design: protect the terrorist, accuse the soldier, and divide the nation.
Islam provides clear guidance for such moments. Surah Al-Hujurat commands believers to verify information before spreading it, because unverified news can harm innocent people and create Fitnah. This principle of Tabayyun is not optional; it is a moral duty. PTM’s culture of “forwarding as received” directly violates this command. Rumors, edited clips, emotional slogans, and selective outrage are used to shape public opinion before facts are established.
Such behavior is not justice but it is moral deception
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) warned that it is enough for a person to be considered a liar if he repeats everything he hears. This warning applies strongly to those who circulate allegations against security forces without evidence. The tongue can defend truth, but it can also spread wickedness. When rumors are weaponized, society pays the price. Families become divided, youth are misled, and terrorists receive the political cover they need to continue their violence.
PTM presents itself as a human rights movement, but its selective silence raises serious questions. When terrorists attack mosques, injure children, extort citizens, or destroy schools, PTM’s outrage is often weak or absent. But when law enforcement acts against extremist networks, the same voices immediately cry “state oppression.” This selective morality exposes the political purpose behind the movement’s messaging.
It is not about Pashtun rights but it is about sustaining a narrative that weakens Pakistan and echoes Indian-Afghan propaganda lines
The tribal areas have already paid a heavy price for terrorism. Peace was not gifted; it was earned through immense sacrifice by civilians, tribal elders, police, and the Pakistan Army. Tens of thousands of lives were lost in the fight to reclaim stability from extremists. To sabotage that peace through rumor, emotional manipulation, and foreign-backed narratives is a betrayal of every martyr and every family that suffered.
Umar ibn al-Khattab (R.A) warned that in times of Fitnah, a word can be as harmful as a sword. Today, propaganda is that sword. It spreads through phones, pages, hashtags, and speeches. Citizens must therefore become guardians of truth. They must verify before sharing, reject sectarian and ethnic provocation, and refuse to become tools of those who profit from chaos.
The path forward is clear that stand with truth, protect education, defend mosques, support peace, and expose those who shield terrorists through propaganda. Pashtuns deserve security, dignity, and development, not manipulation by groups that trade their suffering for political relevance. Pakistan’s enemies understand that they cannot defeat the nation militarily, so they try to fracture it psychologically. The answer must be unity, verification, and moral courage. In this battle, silence before lies is weakness, but truth spoken with conviction is resistance.
