The National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) warned of the potential student movement by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) student wing, mirroring Bangladesh’s approach.
A formal letter issued by the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) has been dispatched to provincial governments across Pakistan, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, cautioning them about the possible mobilization of students by PTI to potentially disrupt the political landscape in a manner reminiscent of recent events in Bangladesh.
Journalist Shakir Mehmood Awan, commenting on X (formerly Twitter), emphasized that while it is premature to predict the emergence of such a movement in Pakistan, the prevailing dissatisfaction with the current government could naturally lead to unrest. Awan drew parallels to the situation in Bangladesh, where governmental missteps under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina catalyzed significant public upheaval.
There is growing concern among Pakistani authorities about the radicalization of youth under political banners, fearing that labelling young students as agents of foreign powers or troublemakers might escalate tensions and provoke serious disturbances.
The situation underscores a delicate balance between maintaining order and addressing the grievances that might fuel such movements, reflecting a broader regional challenge of managing youth discontent in politically sensitive environments.