A Nation Trapped Between Two Countries: The Tragedy of the Pashtuns' Divided Land, Pashtunistan

Can a Border Possess a Nation?

In 1893, British colonial official Henry Durand drew a single line on a map with a ruler and ink. This is the so-called Durand Line. While the line was drawn through an agreement with the Afghan Emir at the time, the result was the division of millions of Pashtuns between two different countries. Today, this line serves as the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan and remains a symbol of the Pashtun nation's division.

Who Are the Pashtuns?

The Pashtuns (also known as Pathans) are one of the largest tribal-based ethnic groups in the world, with a population of approximately 40 to 50 million. They primarily reside in southeastern Afghanistan and northwestern Pakistan, and speak Pashto.

At the heart of Pashtun society lies Pashtunwali, a unique ethical code. This unwritten law encompasses the following core values:

• Melmastia: Unconditional hospitality toward guests
• Nanawatai: The obligation to provide sanctuary to anyone who seeks refuge
• Badal: The duty of revenge to defend honor
• Ghairat: Upholding personal and family honor

This code has served as the de facto constitution that has bound Pashtun tribal society together for thousands of years.

What Is Pashtunistan?

Pashtunistan is the concept of an independent or autonomous state envisioned by Pashtun nationalists. The idea calls for unifying the Pashtun-inhabited regions divided by the Durand Line, and has been consistently advocated since the early 20th century.

Afghanistan, from its earliest days as a state, refused to recognize the legitimacy of the Durand Line. The Afghan government claimed that the Pashtun regions of northwestern Pakistan were historically part of Afghanistan, leading to ongoing diplomatic conflict between the two countries.

The Cold War, the Taliban, and Pashtun Identity

Throughout the 20th century, Pashtun territories became a battleground for great powers. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1979-1989) once again imprinted Pashtun warrior culture on the world stage. A significant number of the Mujahideen fighters backed by the United States were of Pashtun origin.

The Taliban that subsequently emerged was essentially a movement combining Pashtun tribal culture with Islamic fundamentalism. Because of this, Pashtun nationalism and Taliban ideology are often conflated, but in reality, many Pashtun intellectuals and activists have opposed the Taliban's violence and called for democracy and peace.

Pashtuns in Film

The Pashtun story has been dramatically portrayed in several films. Kandahar (2001) illuminated the darkness of Afghanistan under Taliban rule, while The Kite Runner (2007) sensitively depicted the tragedy inflicted on civilians by the Afghan wars. The 1975 film The Man Who Would Be King satirically portrayed the West's desire for Pashtun lands during the age of imperialism. These works convey to us the fate of the Pashtun people and the complexity of the international politics they face.

Pashtuns Today: The PTM Movement

In 2018, the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) emerged in Pakistan. This nonviolent civil rights movement exposed human rights abuses against Pashtun civilians by the military, forced disappearances, and landmine casualties, quickly gathering the support of hundreds of thousands. The PTM is drawing attention as the new face of Pashtun nationalism, signaling the emergence of a generation seeking rights through voices rather than guns.

More than 130 years have passed since the Durand Line was drawn. That line still sits on the map, and the Pashtun homeland remains divided. But their identity is something no border could ever split.