Manzoor Ahmed Pashteen is a powerful voice rising from the rugged hills of South Waziristan, echoing the cries of a people long silenced. As the founder and leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), he has emerged as a prominent human rights activist in Pakistan, championing the rights of Pashtuns subjected to enforced disappearances, landmine-infested homes, and extrajudicial killings.
Early Life and Struggles in Waziristan
Born on October 25, 1994, in Shahur, a small village in South Waziristan, Manzoor Pashteen belongs to the Shamankhel Mahsud tribe of the Pashtun ethnic group. The eldest of eight siblings, he grew up amid conflict and displacement. His father, Abdul Wadud Mahsud, a dedicated primary school teacher, played a critical role in ensuring Manzoor’s education despite extreme poverty and displacement.
Between 2005 and 2009, military operations against militants forced his family to flee their village multiple times. As internally displaced persons (IDPs), they endured the hardship of refugee camps in Dera Ismail Khan. Despite these challenges, Pashteen completed his education, earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Gomal University in 2016.
When the family returned home in 2016, they found their house destroyed, books looted, and the land littered with landmines—a painful symbol of the forgotten lives in conflict zones.
Founding of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM)
While still a student, Manzoor initiated the Mahsud Tahafuz Movement in 2014, originally focused on removing landmines from war-torn Waziristan. Over time, the movement evolved into what is now known as the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM)—a nonviolent grassroots organization demanding justice, accountability, and constitutional rights for Pakistan’s Pashtun population.
The PTM’s central demands include:
- End to enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings
- Removal of landmines from civilian areas
- Cessation of collective punishment and home demolitions
- Judicial accountability for security forces and police misconduct
- Equal media representation for marginalized Pashtuns
The Turning Point: Naqeebullah Mehsud Case
PTM gained nationwide recognition following the killing of Naqeebullah Mehsud, a young Pashtun falsely accused of militancy and killed in a staged police encounter in Karachi on January 20, 2018. This high-profile case became a lightning rod for PTM’s demands, prompting a long protest march from Dera Ismail Khan to Islamabad, culminating in a powerful sit-in dubbed the All Pashtun National Jirga.
Thousands of Pashtuns and human rights activists joined the movement, demanding justice not just for Naqeebullah but for all victims of state violence.
Resistance, Repression, and Continued Advocacy
Despite its peaceful approach, the PTM has faced significant pushback. In October 2024, the Government of Pakistan designated PTM as a proscribed organization, citing “public order” concerns—a move widely condemned by rights groups.
PTM has also faced:
- Media censorship and coverage bans
- Arrests and harassment of PTM leaders and supporters
- Accusations of anti-state rhetoric, which Pashteen vehemently denies
Speaking to international outlets like Deutsche Welle and BBC, Pashteen has consistently asserted that PTM’s struggle is not against Pakistan, but against militarization, state-sponsored terrorism, and human rights violations. He highlights how civilian deaths and destruction during military operations have left entire communities devastated and disenfranchised.
The Pashtun National Jirga: A Cultural and Political Milestone
From October 11 to 14, 2024, Manzoor Pashteen participated in the Pashtun National Jirga, a historic gathering in Khyber District where tribal elders, intellectuals, and activists united to discuss the path forward for Pashtuns. Despite harassment by authorities, the event symbolized a peaceful assertion of Pashtun identity, cultural heritage, and democratic rights.
Pashteen emphasized, “Jirga is an integral part of our culture, and nobody will be allowed to prevent us from holding them for the resolution of our grievances.”
Why Manzoor Pashteen’s Fight Matters
Manzoor Pashteen is not just a political figure; he is a symbol of resilience and resistance. His movement represents the aspirations of millions who have suffered silently under the shadow of war and repression.
His story resonates beyond borders as a case study of:
- Civilian resistance to militarization
- Ethnic rights activism in conflict zones
- Youth-led grassroots movements
Conclusion
Manzoor Pashteen’s courageous leadership of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement has shed light on the systemic injustices faced by Pashtuns in Pakistan’s tribal regions. Despite threats, bans, and personal risk, he continues to advocate for peace, dignity, and constitutional rights. His voice, once from a war-ravaged village, now echoes on international platforms—demanding that the state listen, and the world not look away.