Ethnic Pashtuns in Pakistan face daily challenges, including targeted killings, extortion, and military operations. The situation worsened after the Taliban’s return to Afghanistan in August 2021, leading to heightened concerns within Pakistan’s military establishment regarding the growing Pashtun solidarity in the region. The Pashtun community has gained significant attention through the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) led by Manzoor Pashteen. Reports indicate that Pakistan’s security agencies have taken severe measures against PTM activists to curb the movement.
In a recent incident, Gilaman Wazir, a prominent Pashtun poet and senior PTM member, was killed under suspicious circumstances in Islamabad on July 7. Wazir was well-known for his poems celebrating Pashtun history and had a significant following on social media. His death prompted protests and absentee funeral prayers by Pashtun communities and PTM activists worldwide. Reports of an attack on the Pakistani consulate in Frankfurt, Germany, have surfaced, although details remain unconfirmed. Despite the seriousness of the incident, Pakistani law enforcement has not apprehended those responsible for Wazir’s death, with reports suggesting the suspects fled the country shortly after the incident.
Wazir was a vocal critic of the Pakistani government and often associated with Afghan national symbols. His digital activism drew attention, leading to his arrest in Bahrain in 2020 and subsequent extradition to Pakistan. He faced further detention in 2023, with reports of severe mistreatment while in custody. Wazir’s social media presence continued to highlight his experiences and the challenges faced by the Pashtun community.
Media coverage of PTM activities has been restricted in Pakistan since April 2019, limiting mainstream reporting on Wazir’s death and his funeral in North Waziristan. Social media and independent journalists have played a crucial role in sharing information about these events. Despite a ban on X (formerly Twitter) in Pakistan, over 32,000 tweets mentioned Wazir in a single day, with the hashtag #GilamanWazir trending across platforms. Former Afghan Presidents Hamid Karzai and Ashraf Ghani also expressed their condolences.
Manzoor Pashteen led tens of thousands of attendees at Wazir’s funeral on July 12, where participants expressed their grievances against the Pakistani military. Wazir’s murder has highlighted longstanding issues within the Pashtun community in Pakistan. Pakistan’s security agencies have frequently targeted PTM leaders, such as Arif Wazir and Arman Luni, to suppress the movement. Recently, PTM has faced renewed scrutiny following their criticism of Pakistan’s new counterterrorism operation, Azm-i-Istehkam. The operation is expected to impact the livelihoods of local Pashtun populations significantly.
Wazir was critical of the new counterterrorism measures and frequently highlighted the struggles of Baloch and Pashtun minorities. His support for Pashtun unity and a ‘Greater Afghanistan’ concept unsettled Pakistan’s military establishment. The legitimacy of the Durand Line, a contentious border, remains unrecognized by various Afghan governments, including the current Taliban administration.
Recent events, including a violent response to a rally in Bannu on July 19, where several peaceful protesters were killed and injured, have exacerbated tensions. Political parties in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) have condemned the new counterterrorism operations and the use of force against civilians.
Data from the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) indicates an increase in terrorist violence across KP, suggesting that Operation Azm-i-Istehkam has not improved the security situation. Instead, the operation may be further alienating ethnic minorities, particularly the Pashtun community.
The challenges facing the Pashtun community in Pakistan require attention and resolution to prevent further escalation of violence and instability in the region.
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