From Waziristan to the world — the cry for justice never fades
Peaceful struggle for justice — Pashtun Tahafuz Movement.
Peaceful resistance, powerful message — PTM forever.
Manzoor Pashteen is a well-known Pashtun human rights activist from South Waziristan, Pakistan. He was born in 1994 and studied veterinary medicine at Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan. Manzoor became famous as the founder and leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a peaceful social movement that stands for the rights and dignity of Pashtuns living in Pakistan’s tribal areas and beyond.
The PTM started gaining attention in early 2018 after the killing of Naqeebullah Mehsud, a young Pashtun who was wrongly accused of being a terrorist and shot by police in Karachi. This tragedy united many Pashtuns under Manzoor’s leadership, who began demanding justice not only for Naqeebullah but for all victims of extrajudicial killings.
The main goals of PTM include ending enforced disappearances, stopping extrajudicial killings, removing landmines from tribal areas, and ensuring respect for human rights and freedom of speech. The movement believes in peaceful protest and non-violence. The red cap, often worn by Manzoor and his followers, has become a symbol of courage, resistance, and unity among Pashtuns.
Though PTM has faced challenges, restrictions, and criticism, it continues to inspire thousands who seek justice and equality. Manzoor Pashteen and PTM emphasize that their fight is not against the state but against injustice. Their message is simple — peace, dignity, and equal rights for all citizens of Pakistan, especially those who have suffered in the war-torn tribal regions. | REAB
