Dawar Times Magazine Edition 1.0, Manzoor Pashteen, Greater Afghanistan

Dawar Times Magazine Edition 1.0 – Manzoor Pashteen and Greater Afghanistan

Dawar Times brings a new magazine edition every month. The first edition of this series, Edition 1.0, was published recently, featuring Manzoor Pashteen and “Greater Afghanistan” as its cover story. Today, we present a glimpse into this entire edition, which delves into the Pashtun society, the challenges they face, and Manzoor Pashteen’s thoughts.

ALSO READ: Dawar Times Edition 1.2 Mahrang Baloch

Who is Manzoor Pashteen?

Manzoor Pashteen is a young leader who is the founder of Pashtun Tehreek-e-Tahfuz (PTM). This organization is a completely peaceful movement whose aim is to raise the voice of the Pashtuns living in Pakistan.

He is identified by his red cap, which has now become the symbol of PTM. Manzoor Pashteen focuses on issues that ordinary Pashtuns face daily – missing persons, military operations, landmines, and the demand for equal rights.

Pashtun society and its situation

The Pashtun people live mainly in the northwestern areas of Pakistan and the eastern parts of Afghanistan. They have a long history and a rich culture. But sadly, they have often been ignored at the political and social levels.

• For many decades, these areas have been deprived of development.
• Frequent military operations have made life difficult for ordinary people.
• Basic facilities like education and health are still not fully available.
• All these reasons are increasing resentment and restlessness among the younger generation.

Greater Afghanistan and Pashtunistan debate

In this edition, Dawar Times has also given space to that aspect of history which is often not told in much detail in books.

When the British left India in 1947, the Durand Line was drawn. This was the border that separated Pakistan and Afghanistan. But the reality was that this line divided the same community (Pashtuns) into two parts.

For this reason, some leaders gave the idea of ​​a separate country named “Paktunistan”. At the same time, some people started imagining “Greater Afghanistan”, in which all the Pashtun areas of Pakistan would be included in Afghanistan.

But the reality is that this dream was never fulfilled. Most of the Pashtuns of Pakistan remained loyal to their country and contributed in every field, from politics to the army.

PTM and Manzoor Pashteen’s Thinking

The biggest specialty of Manzoor Pashteen is that he is against violence and separatism. His entire movement is based on the fact that the best way to demand rights is through peaceful demonstrations and dialogue.

PTM’s main demands:

• The disappeared people should be presented in the courts.
• Landmines should be removed.
• Common people should be protected from the army’s actions.
• Opportunities for education and development should be provided in Pashtun areas.
• Challenges and the government’s attitude

Although PTM’s demands are completely related to human rights, the reality is that the government and the administration have mostly tried to suppress this movement.

1. PTM rallies were stopped several times.
2. Manzoor Pashteen and his companions were arrested several times.
3. Restrictions were also imposed on media coverage.

Despite this, PTM remains popular among the youth because this movement gives them hope that someone is speaking their mind openly.

What is the real issue? Dawar Times Magazine Edition 1.0, Manzoor Pashteen, Greater Afghanistan

It has been clearly stated in the Dawar Times Magazine Edition 1.0 that the issue is not about creating a new country. Most Pashtuns consider Pakistan their country and are loyal to it.

The real issue is

• Right to equality
• Security
• Education and employment
• Respect for their culture and identity
• Manzoor Pashteen in the eyes of Dawar Times Magazine Edition 1.0.

The magazine writes that Manzoor Pashteen is not just a leader but the voice of the new era of Pashtuns. He is an example of a youth who stood up for his rights but did not take up arms.

His thinking is that if Pakistan wants to be strong, then it will have to give equality and respect to all its communities.

Dawar Times Magazine Edition 1.0 brings out this entire debate in very simple language. It discusses in depth the struggle of Manzoor Pashteen, the history of Pashtunistan and Greater Afghanistan, and the problems of today’s Pashtun society.

This edition tells us that the real power lies in peace and justice. If Pakistan has to be made a strong and united country, then the voice of the Pashtuns must be heard, not suppressed.

Overall, this first edition of Dawar Times is definitely worth reading for those readers who want to understand the politics, society, and history of South Asia.