Gilaman Wazir (*1 March 1992; †10 July 2024; Pashto: ګیلامن وزیر; real name Hazrat Naeem) was a prominent Afghan Pashto poet and a senior member of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM).

Gilaman Wazir
ګیلامن وزیر
Born
Hazrat Naeem

(1992-03-01)1 March 1992
DiedJuly 10, 2024(2024-07-10) (aged 32)
Cause of deathHead injury
Resting placeAsadkhel, Razmak Tehsil, North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Occupation(s)Poet, writer, political activist
Known forAfghan-Pashtun nationalism, poetry, PTM member
Political partyPashtun Tahafuz Movement
Children5
FatherAbdul Qayyum

Known for his activism advocating for the rights of Pashtuns, Gilaman dedicated his life to the cause of "Loy Afghanistan," aiming to unite Pashtuns.[1] He was a key figure in the PTM, utilizing his poetry and digital platforms to raise awareness and mobilize support for Pashtun rights.[2][3][4]

Early life

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Gilaman with Manzoor Pashteen

Gilaman was born in the village of Asadkhel, located in the Razmak Tehsil of North Waziristan.[5] This region has long been a site of significant conflict and unrest, which deeply influenced his perspectives and activism. Growing up in an environment marked by political and social turmoil, Gilaman developed a strong sense of identity and purpose, leading him to become a vocal advocate for Pashtun rights.[6][7][8]

Activism and advocacy

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Gilaman's journey as an activist was marked by his loud vocal criticism of the Pakistani government and military.[9][10] He often wore the three-colored Afghan flag, a symbol of his solidarity with the Pashtun cause and his stance against the state. In accordance with his poetic wishes, he was also buried wrapped in this flag.[11][12] His poetry, known for its progressive and patriotic themes, resonated deeply with the youth and played a crucial role in spreading the message of Pashtuns.[13]

Arrest and torture

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On 6 February, 2020, Gilaman was arrested by Bahraini security forces, while working as a laborer.[14] Gilaman was arrested on an Interpol 'Red Notice' issued at Pakistan's request and deported back to Pakistan.[15] On March 8, Bahraini authorities extradited Gilaman to Pakistan, where he was immediately detained and subjected to severe hard torture.[16] He reported experiencing sleep deprivation, electro shocks, dog bites, blindfolding, fingernail extraction, and physical beatings.[17][18]

Attack and death

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On July 7, 2024, Gilaman was attacked in Islamabad, allegedly by Azad Dawar and his associates, reportedly acting under orders from the Pakistani government due to the perceived threat he posed to the state of Pakistan.[19][20][21] He suffered severe head injuries and was admitted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where he succumbed to his injuries on 9 July, 2024. Despite exhaustive efforts to save his life, the severity of his injuries proved fatal.[22][23][24]

Funeral and reactions

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Gilaman's death sparked widespread grief and condemnation, resonating deeply both in Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as internationally.[25][26] His funeral procession, which transported his body from Islamabad to North Waziristan, was attended by tens of thousands of mourners.[27] Social media played a crucial role in spreading the news and organizing support, with the hashtag #GilamanWazir trending widely despite a media blackout in Pakistan.[28] Prominent figures, including former Afghan Presidents Hamid Karzai and Ashraf Ghani,[29] cricket players like Rashid Khan, singers like Javid Amarkhil, politicians like Mahmood Khan Achakzai, and influencers and parties like Pashtoons Social Democratic Party,[30] publicly expressed their condolences. Protests were held worldwide, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Austria.[31] Afghan singer Naghma started a GoFundMe campaign that raised over $125,000 for the family.[32]

Legacy and impact

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Gilaman left behind a powerful legacy through his poetry and activism.[33][34] His work continues to inspire many in the Pashtun community and beyond, highlighting issues of state violence, repression, and human rights struggles.[35]

Personal life

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Gilaman was married and had five children: three daughters and two sons.[36]

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Facebook Account (Gilaman Wazir)

Twitter/X Account (@GilamanPashten)

TikTok Account (gilamanwazir11)

References

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  1. ^ Kakar, Hijratullah (2024-07-11). "PTM member & poet Gilaman succumbs to injuries". Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  2. ^ "Slain Pakistani rights activist's funeral reinforces calls for peace". Voice of America. 2024-07-13. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  3. ^ Azad, Najib (2024-07-11). "The Pakistani Army: A Legacy Of Proxy Forces, Terrorism, And Human Rights Violations – OpEd". Eurasia Review. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  4. ^ "د پښتون ژغورنې غورځنګ مخکښ غړی ګيله من وزير ومړ". www.afghanislamicpress.com (in Pashto). Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  5. ^ Saifullah (2024-07-11). "پي ټي ايم فعاله مشر او شاعر ګيله من وزير په حق رسيدلے". Khyber News Official Website (Pashto) | د خېبر نيوز رسمي وېب پاڼه (in Pashto). Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  6. ^ "منظور پښتين: د ګيله من وزير روغتیايي وضعیت نازک دی – DW – ۱۴۰۳/۴/۱۸". dw.com (in Pashto). Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  7. ^ "په جرمني کې د پښتون ژغورنې غورځنګ څانګه: ګيله من وزیر د درملنې لپاره جرمني ته انتقالوو". افغانستان انټرنشنل پښتو (in Pashto). Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  8. ^ TV, Amu (2024-07-09). "د پښتون ژغورني غورځنګ پر غړي ګيله من وزیر برید په کلکو ټکو وغندل شو". آمو ټلویزیون (in Pashto (Afghanistan)). Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  9. ^ "پر ګيله من وزير د بريد څلور ورځې تيرې شوې، خو لا هم بريد کوونکي ندي نيول شوي". SBS Language (in Pashto). Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  10. ^ فیصل (2024-07-11). "د پښتون ژغورنې غورځنګ د فعال غړي ګیله من وزير مړينې ته پراخ غبرګونونه". اطلاعات روز پشتو (in Pashto). Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  11. ^ د ګيله من وزیر ورور: مور مو د هغه په حالت نه ده خبره کړې (in Pashto). 2024-07-09. Retrieved 2024-07-17 – via www.mashaalradio.com.
  12. ^ راډيو, ازادي (2024-07-16). "ازادي راډيويي مجله؛ د ګيله من وزیر شعر ولې د ډېرو خلکو خوښېږي؟". ازادي راډیو (in Pashto). Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  13. ^ "Funeral Prayers for Gilaman Wazir Held in Asad Khel, North Waziristan".
  14. ^ "Urgent Action Victory! Activist Returned to Pakistan and Freed (Bahrain: UA 11.20)". Amnesty International USA. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  15. ^ "Release Human Rights Activist Hazrat Naeem Abdul Aayum alias Gilaaman Wazir". Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  16. ^ UA-011/2020-1;AI INDEX;MDE 11/3450/2020
  17. ^ "Drohende Abschiebung". www.amnesty.de (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  18. ^ Staff, The Pamphlet (2023-07-06). "Gilaman Wazir Arrested By Pakistani Army: PTM". The Pamphlet. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  19. ^ Shinwari, Amin (2024-07-11). "PTM Leader Gilaman Wazir Succumbs to Injuries After Attack in Islamabad". Fata Voice. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  20. ^ "Pashtun leader and poet Gilaman Wazir dies after violent attack in Islamabad". Big News Network.com. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  21. ^ "PTM leader, poet Gilaman Wazir succumbs to injuries in Islamabad". 2024-07-11. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  22. ^ "Pashtun poet Gilaman Wazir to be buried today". The Nation. 2024-07-12. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  23. ^ "Pashtun leader severely injured in attack, activists demand to sent him to Germany for medical treatment". Big News Network.com. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  24. ^ "د ګیله من وزیر په جنازه کې زرګونه خلکو ګډون کړی وو". Direct. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  25. ^ TV, Amu (2024-07-10). "Pashtun Tahafuz Movement member dies of wounds in Islamabad attack". Amu TV. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  26. ^ "Manzoor Pashteen: Pashtuns No Longer With Pakistan". ToloNews.com.
  27. ^ "Poet Gilaman Wazir laid to rest". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  28. ^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  29. ^ "Facebook post of Dr. Ashraf Ghani". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  30. ^ "pashtoonkhwa:pashtoons social democratic party د پښتنو ټولنيز ولسوليز ګوند پښتونخوا/ افغانستان". pashtoonkhwa.com. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  31. ^ Bayankhail, Levsa (2024-07-13). "Pashto poet and activist Gilaman Wazir targeted in Pakistan, passes away". The Sunday Guardian Live. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  32. ^ "په آسټرالیا کې د ګیله من وزیر غایبانه جنازه او فاتحې مراسم ترسره شول". SBS Language (in Pashto). Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  33. ^ "د ګیله من وزیر مړی د جمعې په ورځ شمالي وزیرستان کې خاورو ته سپارل کیږي". د امریکا غږ اشنا راډیو (in Pashto). 2024-07-11. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  34. ^ تاند (2024-07-11). "د ګیله من وزیر پر وژل کېدو د ولسونو خپګان او د پاکستاني رسنیو چوپتیا". تاند (in Pashto). Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  35. ^ "Attack on Pashtun Tahafuz Movement Leader in Pakistan Draws Global Criticism". www.india.com. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  36. ^ د ګيله من وزیر ورور: مور مو د هغه په حالت نه ده خبره کړې (in Pashto). 2024-07-09. Retrieved 2024-07-17 – via www.mashaalradio.com.