Manzoor Pashteen’s struggle underscores Pashtun resilience, challenging Pakistan’s military oppression and global indifference to human rights.
Copenhagen: Manzoor Pashteen, the brave face of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), has become a symbol of resistance against oppression. Yet, his path has been anything but safe. The recent surge in threats against him is a chilling reminder of the dangerous reality faced by those who dare to speak truth to power in Pakistan. Close allies of Pashteen have reported on social media that there’s a potential suicide bombing attempt on his life, particularly after the Pashtun National Jirga. These warnings have understandably led to a reduction in his public appearances, adding a new layer of tension to the already fraught political environment in the Pashtun region.
Manzoor Pashteen’s fight for the rights of the Pashtun people has always come with significant risks. Before the recent alerts about a possible suicide attack, Pashteen had already survived four assassination attempts. These included two attacks at his residence, a targeted ambush at Bilal Market, and an elaborate six-day plan at the Karkhanu, Khyber pakhtunkhwa to eliminate him. Each attempt reveals the lengths to which Pakistani establishment is willing to go to silence him. These threats are not random but calculated efforts to undermine a movement that has consistently highlighted the injustices faced by the Pashtun community.
The situation is further complicated by the role of Pakistan’s military, which is accused of perpetuating instability in the region. General Asim Munir, a senior figure in the Pakistani military, recently visited Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to meet with so-called nationalist leaders and the region’s leading political party. The timing and purpose of the visit raise several questions. Reports suggest that the general’s agenda included pressuring members of the Pashtun National Jirga to withdraw their support for the movement. There are also allegations that Munir sought to coerce local leaders into endorsing a new military operation to receive foreign aid and the potential to invite another proxy war in Afghanistan and the Pashtun region of Pakistan.
These developments are part of a larger pattern. Pakistan’s establishment has long used counter-terrorism operations as a strategic tool, not to genuinely combat terrorism, but to secure international funding. This policy has turned the region into a chessboard where the lives of ordinary people are expendable. Such accusations are difficult to ignore when viewed in the context of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in North Waziristan.
The crisis in North Waziristan is a devastating example of how military operations often disregard the human cost. On September 26, 2024, the Pakistan Army launched artillery shelling in the region. Local activists reported a spike in diseases shortly after the bombardment, sparking concerns that chemical phosphorus may have been used. The toll on the local population and their livelihoods has been catastrophic. More than 25 cows and buffaloes were killed in Mir Ali as mortar fire targeted a livestock market, burning the animals alive. These attacks not only resulted in the loss of human lives but also destroyed the livelihoods of countless residents who rely on their livestock for survival.
The use of chemical phosphorus, if confirmed, would be a blatant violation of international law. Protocol III of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCCW) explicitly prohibits the use of incendiary weapons in civilian areas. Yet, despite these allegations, there has been no meaningful response from the international community. This silence is deafening and deeply troubling. Why are world leaders, particularly those in the U.S. and EU, turning a blind eye to these atrocities? Why is the suffering of the Pashtun people being ignored?
It is impossible to separate these incidents from the broader geopolitical context. Pakistan has long sought to position itself as a key player in the region, leveraging its role in counter-terrorism to maintain its relevance on the global stage. This strategy has often involved using violence and instability as tools to justify military operations and secure foreign aid. But this approach comes at a steep cost for those caught in the crossfire.
Manzoor Pashteen and the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement have consistently called attention to these injustices, highlighting how the Pakistani state’s policies disproportionately affect the Pashtun population. PTM demand for accountability, transparency, and an end to human rights violations has resonated with many, but it has also made them a target. The establishment’s attempts to discredit and suppress the PTM are emblematic of a larger effort to maintain control over narratives and silence dissent.
The humanitarian impact of these policies cannot be overstated. The shelling in North Waziristan is just one example of how military actions devastate communities. The death of livestock in Mir Ali is not just a financial loss but a cultural and emotional blow to the residents. Livelihoods are destroyed, families are displaced, and the social fabric of the community is torn apart. These are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of neglect and exploitation that has long plagued the region.
The silence of the international community on these issues is particularly disheartening. Human rights organizations, world leaders, and global institutions have a moral obligation to speak out against these atrocities. The use of chemical weapons, the targeting of civilians, and the systematic oppression of a vulnerable population should be cause for outrage. Yet, there is little evidence of meaningful action or even acknowledgment. This indifference sends a dangerous message: that the lives of Pashtuns are somehow less valuable, that their suffering is less urgent, and that their voices can be ignored.
The situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhw and North Waziristan is a microcosm of larger issues that plague the region. It is a reminder of the human cost of political manipulation, military aggression, and international apathy. The Pashtun people deserve better. They deserve justice, dignity, and the right to live without fear. The world must recognize their plight and take concrete steps to address these injustices.
Manzoor Pashteen’s story is not just about one man or one movement. It is about a community’s fight for survival and dignity in the face of overwhelming odds. It is about the need for accountability and the importance of standing up against oppression, no matter the cost. The international community must not allow these voices to be silenced. The time for action is now.
Levsa Bayankhail is a member of the PTM International Advocacy Committee. Additionally, she serves as the Convener of the Pashtun Security Dialogue at the Indic Researchers Forum and advocates for human and women’s rights. She write for various online newspapers in Denmark and internationally.