Matiullah Turab

Matiullah Turab (; 21 March 1971 – 14 July 2025) was an Afghan poet. His poetry has been popular among Pashtuns from Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Despite not having a formal education, he became a prominent Pashto poet, with his work spread via live recitals, viral YouTube clips, and social gatherings.

He worked as a car body maker. He fled from the Soviet war like many other families to Pakistan and lived in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kurram Agency for a while and then returned to his home country Afghanistan in the 2000s.

He was recognized and invited to Kabul by then President Hamid Karzai, despite his critical stance even toward Karzai’s government. His funeral took place on Tuesday, 15 July 2025, in Nangarhar province, attended by tribal elders, literature enthusiasts, local officials, and citizens with widespread mourning across Afghanistan and Pakistan. Others were held in Khost and in Sherzai Stadium, Jalalabad at 2 p.m., followed by a village burial in Kozbiar, Khogyani, Nangarhar at 4 p.m. His body was airlifted by helicopter on the same day.

His passing prompted tributes from the Afghan Ministry of Information and Culture, IEA spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, former President Hamid Karzai, Anas Haqqani, and others.