Despite the initial ban, the National Pashtun Jirga organised by the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) was held in Khyber District, Pakistan, from October 11th to 13th, 2024. The government viewed the gathering as a threat to national peace and security. However, PTM Chairman Manzoor Pashteen said to continue with the Jirga in a video announcement. The authorities' attempt to disperse the organisers resulted in four fatalities and 11 wounded.
Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), condemned the ban and called for its reversal, recognising PTM as a peaceful grassroots movement advocating for human rights. Later, on October 10th, the federal government removed the prohibition following a multiparty grand Jirga called by the provincial government. The PTM was granted permission to host the Pashtun National Jirga with the assistance of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government and the presence of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.
This important gathering brought together leaders to discuss crucial regional concerns, with an increased number of Pashtun women from around Pakistan. It was perhaps one of the larger gatherings of Pashtun women on a single platform. One of the youngest female participants, Benazir Mandokhel, stood out for her courageous voice. Benazir passionately advocated for Pashtun women's role in decision-making processes, stressing equal participation with males. Addressing the Jirga, she voiced her anguish in the following words: "Women are fighting two wars, one against the state and one against the deeply ingrained patriarchal norms and harmful traditions that limit women's potential. Unless we empower women, we will remain oppressed."
She went on to say that she was pleased that Pashtun women from many parts of Pakistan were participating, but she had a complaint for the jirga's leaders and participants that why did they not bring their women as well. She emphasised the importance of starting from home in order to obtain their rights from the state.
Only two key points directly relating to women were mentioned in Jirga decisions, rejecting Swara, a destructive practice in which girls are handed as compensation to settle disputes, and urging the Taliban to lift the ban on women's education.
To facilitate discussions in the jirga, 80 camps were set up, comprising 45 predominantly Pashtun districts and 35 other groups. The women's camp recommended significant reforms to empower Pashtun women and advance social justice. These include the rapid removal of military forces from civilian areas, repealing sections of the Army Act, and rejecting the 18th Amendment. They also pushed for a transition to a democratic confederalist system that would ensure all member states' right to self-determination. Other critical recommendations addressed women's rights, such as education, employment, inheritance, and protection from violence. The women also sought a minimum of 33% representation in decision-making bodies, economic stability for families, more girls' schools, and women's presence on mediation panels. They also voiced solidarity with Afghan-Pashtun women and against gender apartheid in Afghanistan.
Furthermore, the proposed reforms addressed long-standing concerns such as IDP (internally displaced persons) relocation, truth and reconciliation, and the elimination of child marriage, forced marriage, and honor killings. These ideas illustrate Pashtun women's commitment to build a more just and equitable society.
Gul Sangha, a 40-year-old mother of three from the Mohmand District, formerly part of the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), arrived on the second day of the Pashtun National Jirga on October 11 with hopes of securing answers about her husband's abduction 13 years ago. "We have repeatedly contacted numerous officials and the justice system, but to no avail.” Gul Sangha expressed her pain and sorrow, "We don't know if he's alive or dead, and his whereabouts are unknown. We've lost the strength to face this sorrow. My brother and I came from Mohmand to share our plight and seek justice through this jirga.”
Pashtun women have always played an important part in society, but post-Partition patriarchal norms and fundamentalism have restricted their rights. The Soviet-Afghan War and the United States-led War on Terror intensified their marginalisation. Today, Pashtun women face various challenges, including limited access to education, restrictive social norms, economic disempowerment, healthcare inequities, political exclusion, and violence.
According to Zubair Shah Agha, a core committee member of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), the state's intentional injection of extremism into Pashtun society has had disastrous consequences. "About 30 to 40 years ago, Pashtun society was very progressive", Shah remarked. However, the arrival of extreme elements has had a significant impact on the community, especially on women.
In a place where even men can't move freely and their family members are always worried whether they will come alive or dead, in that place how can a woman move freely when there is no peace, no facilities? - Ismat Shahjahan
According to the leftist Awami Workers' Party (AWP) politician Ismat Shahjahan, the Pashtun people are tormented by war and underdevelopment. The region's nearly century-long restriction of voting rights in erstwhile FATA contributed to inequality and marginalisation. Shahjahan further emphasised that the Pakistani state is responsible for the region's underdevelopment: "The question is, why is it underdeveloped, and who did this? It is apparent that the state is responsible for it."
She stressed upon the challenges that Pashtun women experience, such as limited access to education owing to destroyed schools, limited economic options, and the inability to participate in protests or feminist initiatives. Even essential services such as healthcare are lacking. "When Pashtuns accepted women’s education, employment, and women's rights, their schools, workplace and their mobility was attacked," Shahjahan said.
In a war-torn region, women's freedom and mobility are severely limited. "In a place where even men can't move freely and their family members are always worried whether they will come alive or dead, in that place how can a woman move freely when there is no peace, no facilities?," Shahjahan noted.
The PTM, however, made concerted efforts to ensure women's representation in the event and invited them to the jirga - marking a significant departure from prevalent norms. Zubair Shah Agha highlighted the immense progress that has been made: "After this state injected extremism, we are trying to educate them politically, and as a result of these struggles, today, we can see women participating in this Jirga in Khyber, which no one could imagine." Even women at home are becoming more conscious of their rights, indicating a growing awareness of the cause.
The PTM believes that women's engagement is critical to affecting significant socio-political change, as Shah clearly stated, "without women, we can't bring revolution."