Reclaiming Political Agency? The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement and the Evolution of Pashtun Political Subculture in Pakistan

There have been longstanding debates within academia about the current state of democratic political culture around the world and more specifically in polarised societies. Some observers argue that it is in crisis due to the rise of populism, escalating political polarization/political intolerance within the society, and people's distrust in democratic norms/institutions. While others suggest that democratic political culture is evolving with the emergence of new forms of political engagements such as grassroots movements, social media activism, etc. Although sometimes disruptive, these shifts may also indicate a re-examination of democratic norms and values as disadvantaged groups advocate for accountability, transparency, and greater inclusion through these new forms of political interactions. In general, a strong political culture is crucial for effective governance and the stability of a society, while a dysfunctional political culture can result in political instability and reduce a government’s effectiveness. However, the ideas, values, beliefs, orientations, behaviour, sentiments, and attitudes of a society are usually influenced by the dominant groups within that society, who leverage their power to establish a political culture, often referred to as the elite culture, that aligns with and promotes their own interests. The Pashtun community in Pakistan, straddling the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan (especially the ones belonging to the erstwhile FATA region [Federally Administered Tribal Areas]) has endured decades of political marginalization, systematic injustice, and social exclusion in the Punjabi-dominated Pakistan’s state structure. While the Pakistani state’s policies in terms of conducting several military operations in the Pashtun belt culminated in widespread killings, enforced disappearances, displacements, and instability in the region; these experiences have not only intensified their grievances but also played a key role in the development of a unique political subculture defined by resistance, a demand for justice, political rights, accountability, transparency, and a call for increased recognition in the national discourse. As a result, a robust political counter-culture/subculture has emerged in the region in recent years, challenging the dominant culture/mainstream political discourse —striving to redefine the hegemonic narratives on the Pashtuns mostly propagated by the Pakistan government and its deep state. The absence of political representation, combined with systemic discrimination and violence, has fuelled a sense of alienation among the Pashtuns, prompting them to create new grassroots movements like the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) that challenge the existing order while attempting to reclaim the political agency of the community in the state. The rise of this kind of political counter-culture is also deeply connected to the Pashtun’s distinct cultural identity. Therefore, an attempt will be made in this paper to analyse how grassroots movements like the PTM is contributing to the development of Pashtun political subculture/counter-culture; while underscoring the community’s prolonged political struggles within the so-called Pakistan's democratic state structure. The paper will also explore whether the movement poses a challenge to the democratic political culture of this South Asian nation or if the PTM is contributing to the development of a more “inclusive” political culture within the state.