The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement as a Template for Non-Violent Collective behaviour

Abstract

This review paper is based on a social movement in a protracted conflict zone of the Pashtun lands in Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan. The paper contextualises the available literature on “protests” and “social movements” as a manifestation of disenfranchisement of an ethnic minority geographically located in a global conflict hotspot, particularly post 9/11. Unlike violent protests in other parts of the world, this movement is a unique example of ‘Collective Behaviour’ in contemporary politics that is rational, composed, and has all the hallmarks of a classic non-violent movement. The usual collective behaviour is considered ‘mad’ and ‘blind’ but Pashtun Tahfuz Movement (PTM) provides a template for how young people may channelise a non-violent narrative to serve their cause. The result of this on-going movement testifies to the fact that there still is room for ‘non-violence’ in a world engulfed in violence across the continents of Asia, Europe, Middle East and Latin America.