Mehsud

The Mehsud, also spelled Mahsud or Mehsood, are a prominent Pashtun tribe in Pakistan. Their traditional homeland is South Waziristan Agency in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas, now part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after the 2018 merger of FATA with the province. In addition to South Waziristan, smaller Mehsud communities live in adjacent districts in the region. The name is traditionally linked to Mehsood Khan, an eponym used to describe the tribe.

The Mehsud are primarily Pashtuns who speak Pashto and practice Sunni Islam. They generally observe Pashtunwali, the customary code of behavior emphasizing hospitality, honor, and revenge avoidance. The tribe is divided into several clans and lineages, with social organization historically revolving around kinship ties, elder councils, and jirgas for local decision-making.

Historically rooted in the rugged terrain of Waziristan, the Mehsud have interacted with neighboring Pashtun tribes and with broader state authorities. In recent decades, the region experienced significant military and security operations, including counterinsurgency campaigns that led to displacement and disruption. Some Mehsud individuals or factions have been associated with militant groups, notably Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while others have opposed militancy. Hakimullah Mehsud, a Mehsud, led the TTP from 2009 until his death in 2013.

Today, Mehsud communities pursue a range of livelihoods, including agriculture, trade, and cross-border activities. The tribe remains a central component of Pashtun social and political life in the region, influencing local dynamics and regional security.