Pashtun Long March wake-up call against fundamentalism: Ghani

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on Friday came out in support of Pashtun Long March, which is being organised in northwestern Pakistan against authorities who carry out abuses against the ethnic tribe.

"I fully support the historical #PashtunLongMarch in Pakistan. The main purpose of which is to mobilise citizens against fundamentalism and terrorism in the region," Ghani said in a tweet.

Pashtun Long March is a protest movement led by young Pashtuns from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), where they have long been the targets of military operations, internal displacement, ethnic stereotyping and abductions by the security forces.

He said the historical importance of the march traced back to the great proponent of Bacha Khan, whose philosophy was based on the non-violent ideology.

Ghani said the march was a positive initiation against fundamentalism that morally bound each and everyone to support Pashtuns.

The President also called on the media to impartially fulfill their duties and help the tribe in voicing their grievances, demands and presenting their true image to the world.

"I hope Pashtun Long March succeeds in uprooting and eradicating terrorism from their region," he said.

--ANI