Pashtunistan

Pashtunistan is a proposed region that would encompass the historical homeland of the Pashtun people. The idea of an independent Pashtun state emerged during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, coinciding with the expansion of British India and the establishment of the Durand Line, which divided Pashtun territories between Afghanistan and British India. Proponents of Pashtunistan envisioned a unified entity where Pashtuns could exercise self-determination.

The movement gained momentum in the mid-20th century, particularly after the partition of India. Pashtun nationalist leaders, such as Abdul Ghaffar Khan, advocated for greater autonomy or outright independence for the Pashtun-majority areas. However, the concept has faced significant geopolitical challenges and has never been formally established. The territories claimed by Pashtunistan are currently part of modern-day Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The idea of Pashtunistan remains a sensitive and complex issue, intertwined with ethnic identity, territorial claims, and regional politics. While a unified Pashtun state has not materialized, the concept continues to resonate within some Pashtun communities and is a recurring theme in discussions about national identity and self-governance in the region. The political and territorial integrity of the existing states, Afghanistan and Pakistan, has largely prevented the realization of this proposal.