The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM)
Who We Are
The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) is a peaceful and nonviolent human rights movement led by Manzoor Pashteen. Our mission is to uphold the civil, social, and economic rights of the Pashtun Afghan people, while expressing solidarity with all oppressed communities across the region.
What We Stand For
Human Rights and Justice
PTM was born out of decades of systemic oppression, including:
Enforced disappearances
Extrajudicial killings
Torture
Harassment and surveillance
These abuses—allegedly carried out by Pakistani military and intelligence agencies—have left thousands without justice. Many PTM members and supporters have been:
Unlawfully arrested
Imprisoned without trial
Detained in secret locations
In some cases, killed in custody, with families denied the right to mourn
We continue to speak truth to power, demanding justice for the victims and accountability for the perpetrators.
State Repression and the 2024 Ban
In October 2024, the Pakistani government banned PTM, falsely labeling it a threat to national security. This ban has been widely condemned as a politically motivated effort to:
Silence dissent
Suppress the truth
Crush democratic, peaceful resistance
Despite this repression, PTM remains committed to nonviolence, civic activism, and constitutional rights.
Opposing Terrorism and State Extremism
PTM firmly opposes all forms of terrorism, including the use of Pashtun regions as bases for proxy wars and extremist networks—often with state sponsorship. We condemn:
The exploitation of our land and people for military agendas
The destabilizing role of intelligence-backed militant groups
The manipulation of counterterrorism narratives for political gain
We believe that any genuine fight against terrorism must begin with dismantling the state policies that enable it.
Our Vision for Regional Peace
PTM supports a future grounded in:
Peace
Democracy
Human rights
Girls’ education
Women’s rights
Cross-Durand Line solidarity with Afghanistan
We believe that justice must transcend borders if the region is to achieve lasting peace, dignity, and freedom for all.