Decoding Pakistan’s Punjabi Problem.

[Tiger Khan]

Tiger Khan

You seem to be a knowledgeable person so we may not resort to emotional stuff when we are talking of real things.

If agricultural tax is sanctioned by the government and the citizens are not paying then it is illegal but if there is no tax then its payment or no payment is not an issue. I do not know whether in Pakistan Agricultural tax is levied or not.

Generally in developed countries the taxpayers themselves are willing to pay tax so that they get privileges and facilities from the government. The government also honestly used this money on macroeconomic measures and infrastructural developments.

Pashtuns must promote a tax payment culture.

lol.. i am not being emotional.. (THe problem with internet is that you can not properly communicate your emotions)... By "whose fault is that" i meant.. it was the governments fault that no tax is being levied or enforced.. .. There is no tax on agriculture.. yet tax on electricity and mining.. and imports/exports.. so basically, punjab doesnt have to pay tax on agriculature.. yet baluchistan & KPK would have to pay tax on mininng and hydlepower.. similalry everything that is exported and imported out of karachi port will also be taxed (i do not have any issue with Tax.. but it has to be accross the board). Plus.. honestly.. agriculture would not gather much tax.. THe key here is Large population base... i kid you not.. Large population base is the kicker..

[Tiger Khan]

Sir, I am from farming family in Punjab. We are the only ones that pay tax.

hmm.. my family has agricultural land in punjab.. exactly what tax do you pay?? on agriculture??.. "what do you mean "we" are the only ones that pay tax.. Who steals electritiy? who supports the most corrupt poltical system? who manipulates the prices of sugar, chicken, etc etc and screw the poor?

See do not think too highly of yourself saying that you pay the most tax when we know proportionally karachi probably pays the most tax. also if punjab is paying more tax than KPK compare the size, populations, level of industrialization of the two provinces.. also understand that punjab receives the most tax waivers.. (You can do your reading on that..)..

Also alot of tax collections in punjab mostly go towards infrastructure development etc ect.. while most of the tax earned in kpk goes towards fixing things that are destroyed due to war imposed on KPK.. and alot of the time the redevelopment falls short.. See if operation against taliban/relegeous extremists is such a nice thing.. why not do it in southren punjab.. when we know that most people from kpk and fata are mercineries.. while most extremists from punjab actually belives in this ****.. thinking that if they kill innocent people they would actually get 72 hoors.. no operation in south punjab yet again shows how punjab uses its number to screw smaller ethnic groups..

[Badlun]

THe key here is Large population base... i kid you not.. Large population base is the kicker..

I think within a country for commercial and industrial purposes the population of the whole country is counted not the population of a province or district or ethnicity. Pakistan has more than 180 million inhabitants and a product produced in one corner of the country can be consumed in another corner so the population base serves for the whole country.

I have seen apples and peaches of Swat in Karachi and in Multan. Similarly the T-shirts manufactured in Faisalabad or the scissors made in Sialkot or the Basmati rice produced in Sahiwal in Swat.

Commodities and products are exported and imported between countries but not within a country so your population argument in favor of Punjab has no validity.

Yes the question is that KP and Pashtun areas of Balochistan are not industrialized because of terrorism and Pashtun approach to life. Pashtuns instead of becoming professionals send their children to Saudi for earning hard cash at an very early age. Pashtuns of Bajaur send their children to polish boots in Punjab instead of sending them to schools.

Pashtun will prefer labor but not entrepreneurship. Pashtuns will establish arms factory but not electric appliances factory. Pashtuns will smuggle drugs but not chalk out strategy of marketing of legal merchandise.

If Pashtuns start involving them selves in industrial and marketing activities they have the whole market of 180 million population of Pakistan as well as 30 millions in Afghanistan.

[Karachi]

There is a lot of difference with in punjabis themselves, city Punjabis are completely different from rural punjabis

[Tiger Khan]

I think within a country for commercial and industrial purposes the population of the whole country is counted not the population of a province or district or ethnicity. Pakistan has more than 180 million inhabitants and a product produced in one corner of the country can be consumed in another corner so the population base serves for the whole country.

I have seen apples and peaches of Swat in Karachi and in Multan. Similarly the T-shirts manufactured in Faisalabad or the scissors made in Sialkot or the Basmati rice produced in Sahiwal in Swat.

Commodities and products are exported and imported between countries but not within a country so your population argument in favor of Punjab has no validity.

Yes the question is that KP and Pashtun areas of Balochistan are not industrialized because of terrorism and Pashtun approach to life. Pashtuns instead of becoming professionals send their children to Saudi for earning hard cash at an very early age. Pashtuns of Bajaur send their children to polish boots in Punjab instead of sending them to schools.

Pashtun will prefer labor but not entrepreneurship. Pashtuns will establish arms factory but not electric appliances factory. Pashtuns will smuggle drugs but not chalk out strategy of marketing of legal merchandise.

If Pashtuns start involving them selves in industrial and marketing activities they have the whole market of 180 million population of Pakistan as well as 30 millions in Afghanistan.

i agree.. but they also have to concentrate on local domestic industry as well.. which than become more national and international eventually.

[Badlun]

i agree.. but they also have to concentrate on local domestic industry as well.. which than become more national and international eventually.

Who are they? If you mean Pashtuns then yes , if you mean Punjabis then no. Pashtuns cannot ask Punjabis to concentrate on the local industry of Pashtuns. Even government cannot be pushed that much as industries are established by private sector not governments.

I saw many Punjabis in Gadoon Amazi and Swat owners of industries while poor Pashtuns were working as daily wagers or chowkidars in their own land.I have visited the Hattar Industrial zone in Haripur all run by Hindkowans or Punjabis and Pashtuns only as drivers or watchmen!

[Tiger Khan]

Who are they? If you mean Pashtuns then yes , if you mean Punjabis then no. Pashtuns cannot ask Punjabis to concentrate on the local industry of Pashtuns. Even government cannot be pushed that much as industries are established by private sector not governments.

I saw many Punjabis in Gadoon Amazi and Swat owners of industries while poor Pashtuns were working as daily wagers or chowkidars in their own land.I have visited the Hattar Industrial zone in Haripur all run by Hindkowans or Punjabis and Pashtuns only as drivers or watchmen!

i agree.. yes i meant pashtun.. but see.. with hathar too.. it was intentionally bui;d next to punjab and away from core pashtun areas so that pashtuns can not benefit from it.. see most of the dams are outside pujab,, while wapda house is in lahore.. international law says that whichever place has dam reservoer owns the revenue from energy genration.. in pakistan whichever land had spill ways own the dam.. ethrefore punjab gets revenue from managla dam.. which actually belongs to kashmir..
alot of industries were orignally build by pashtuns even in punjab (Hair is owned and run by afridi but is in punjab, toyonasic, marks,, etc etc). Kohat cement, bannu wollen mil, largest sugar mill in asia (in mardan), etc etc were build by pashtuns.. even MD of KSE was a afridi guy.. see even in swat there were alot of chemical industries.. but destroyed thanks to taliban and paki army

[Toramana]

I think within a country for commercial and industrial purposes the population of the whole country is counted not the population of a province or district or ethnicity. Pakistan has more than 180 million inhabitants and a product produced in one corner of the country can be consumed in another corner so the population base serves for the whole country.

I have seen apples and peaches of Swat in Karachi and in Multan. Similarly the T-shirts manufactured in Faisalabad or the scissors made in Sialkot or the Basmati rice produced in Sahiwal in Swat.

Commodities and products are exported and imported between countries but not within a country so your population argument in favor of Punjab has no validity.

Yes the question is that KP and Pashtun areas of Balochistan are not industrialized because of terrorism and Pashtun approach to life. Pashtuns instead of becoming professionals send their children to Saudi for earning hard cash at an very early age. Pashtuns of Bajaur send their children to polish boots in Punjab instead of sending them to schools.

Pashtun will prefer labor but not entrepreneurship. Pashtuns will establish arms factory but not electric appliances factory. Pashtuns will smuggle drugs but not chalk out strategy of marketing of legal merchandise.

If Pashtuns start involving them selves in industrial and marketing activities they have the whole market of 180 million population of Pakistan as well as 30 millions in Afghanistan.

Can you shut up that nasty Dravidianized Ranjit Singhi mouth of yours. Kindly go and drain what you call understanding of the situation in some other commode not here in this Hujra. If Pashtuns are themselves responsible for their condition what is (was) then responsible for the miseries of interior Sindh, Baluchistan, and earlier, Bangalis.

And why can not your de-evolved Neanderthalian brain grasp that due to absolute control over military, bureaucracy, financial institutions, etc. Punjabis are diverting huge resources to Punjab development.

da beghairatai ham yaw had wi, da baazai khalak kho da Punjab khoskhtha dalalan shi.

[Toramana]

I think within a country for commercial and industrial purposes the population of the whole country is counted not the population of a province or district or ethnicity. Pakistan has more than 180 million inhabitants and a product produced in one corner of the country can be consumed in another corner so the population base serves for the whole country.

I have seen apples and peaches of Swat in Karachi and in Multan. Similarly the T-shirts manufactured in Faisalabad or the scissors made in Sialkot or the Basmati rice produced in Sahiwal in Swat.

Commodities and products are exported and imported between countries but not within a country so your population argument in favor of Punjab has no validity.

Yes the question is that KP and Pashtun areas of Balochistan are not industrialized because of terrorism and Pashtun approach to life. Pashtuns instead of becoming professionals send their children to Saudi for earning hard cash at an very early age. Pashtuns of Bajaur send their children to polish boots in Punjab instead of sending them to schools.

Pashtun will prefer labor but not entrepreneurship. Pashtuns will establish arms factory but not electric appliances factory. Pashtuns will smuggle drugs but not chalk out strategy of marketing of legal merchandise.

If Pashtuns start involving them selves in industrial and marketing activities they have the whole market of 180 million population of Pakistan as well as 30 millions in Afghanistan.

Pashtuns by themselves cannot involve themselves in any large-scale industrial development until govt creates such conditions through measures such as tax rebate, power incentive, loaning, etc. That why govt designates special industrialized zones. The Punjabistan is not even allowing the KP govt to launch hydro-power generation projects or its own TV channel.

Are you being employed by some Punjabi or why are you so loyally defending Punjabis. sa rishtha dari kho warsara na da. whenever we see you do the dirty laundry for Punjab.

[Badlun]

[MENTION=1201]Toramana[/MENTION]

I am against all conspiracies theories and all blame games of Pashtuns. I am against if Pashtuns blame Punjabis, Tajiks, ISI, CIA, USA or any body.I do not work for any one of them but I am against the blame game.
Balochs and Sindhis have simialr problems of no education and living in tribal societies under wadheras and Sardars.

As I wrote elsewhere I ll try my level best to write in a way that you may understand me because if you don't understand me then its my problem not yours as I should blame myself not others for a problem related to me. I should use ways and means to make others understand not others should have extra efforts to understand me. If they cant make out of what I write then I should explain in a better way.Teacher is responsible not student for bad learning. I ll try to be concise , precise and comprehensive , if still I am not clear then you may please read all my posts for which luckily we have an option here in these forums.

1. I am of the bent of mind that fault lies with me not with others.This is my approach, ideology, idiosyncrasy or what ever you call it. I use this approach in problems solution, management and conflict resolution. When there is a problem, a conflict , a management issue, an imbroglio, mess, can of worms , my focus is on the effective, on the one who suffers not on the cause or the agent of causing the problem. This approach is based on my lateral thinking, creative and innovative ways to tackle issues which may not seem normal, standard way of looking at things.

Its quite common and easy to blame others than to take the responsibility on ones own shoulders. Its a common behavior pattern on individual, social and political level to blame others , the easiest way to tackle the issue. Even if its obvious that the other is at fault, still I think that I gave him or her the opportunity to cause me a problem. I blame the house owner not the thief. Why the thief does not rob others why him or her?

If I am poor then I am responsible for it not the colonial power or my boss or another province or nation.If Pakhtuns don't have sovereignty , then they are responsible for it not others. Why they dont have , because they never asked for it in a pragmatic, democratic , peaceful acceptable manner from the ones who are not giving it to them. If about 200 nations in the world have sovereignty , why not Pakhtuns?( I am writing a research paper on my this approach which I ll share with friends here)

2. All people don't think equally, that's why we have wars, problems, conflicts, schools of thoughts, differences , religions ,parties etc. One can oppose to my this approach as I oppose to others. Others may blame others for the problems of Pakhtuns but I blame Pakhtuns not others. This is the way I look at the problem of Pakhtuns.

When I don't hold others like Panjabis,ISI, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajiks,USA, CIA, etc responsible for the problems of Pashtuns , and some hold them responsible , then its the difference of looking at things from two different prisms. It does not mean that I am doing propaganda for them or I am their agent but I have my own way of looking at things and I am trying to present my case why Pakhtuns are responsible for their problems not others. THE SOLUTION IS REFORMATION, RENAISSANCE , RECONSTRUCTION NOT BLAMING OTHERS.

3. My this approach I don't apply only on Pakhtuns but this I apply everywhere, on my own self, on my family, on my friends, on Muslims, on Palestinians, on Jews on all from individual to family, to society to country and to the world. My this approach is not only for failures or problems but also for successes and achievements.

If USA is the world super power then she deserves it, if tiny Israel is giving tough time to so many Arabs then Israel only be admired for that. If Muslims from Maakah and Madinah started and conquered almost the whole known world of that time , then must be given the credit. If Khiljis, Lodhis and Suris governed India then these Pakhtuns must be appreciated. Its simple reward and punishment game.

[Toramana]

Not only army but also navy, air force, bureaucracy, civil service, judiciary, legislature, private sector everywhere is controlled by Punjabis because they are half of the population of Pakistan and are willing dedicated workers , not involved in terrorism(except Seraikis) and religious extremism.

Da Punjabiano chamchai, it is not that they are the majority it is that they have blocked the inclusion of other ethnicities in these sector. If demographic factor were a reason, why could Bangalis not get due share in these institutions. Har wakhth da dalagano pa shan da Punjabyano da kwanai satalo da addath praida.

[Badlun]

[MENTION=1201]Toramana[/MENTION]
If you really want to understand me and have a meaningful debate not calling names and blames like an old rustic woman ,then spare some time and comment on my thinking posted above and below

After introducing my approach a little bit, now I would like to comment further on what’s happening in Pashtun lands and why I hold Pashtuns responsible for what’s going on. What’s going on Pashtun areas? First problem identification then causes and finally its solution

A SHORT LIST OF THE PROBLEMS AND ISSUES IN PASHTUN AREAS AND SOCIET

Terrorism ,Religious Extremism, Violence ,Insurgency ,Suicide bombings, Abundance of Madrassas and Tablighis, Male chauvinism, Law and order issues, Absence of security , Ignorance, Intolerance towards others, no Democracy , Radicalization of Pashtuns, Obscurantist trends, No Education, Plight of women, the rule of Mullah and Taliban, No commercial and industrial activities, no Scientific and technological development, no Nobel Prizes, no Advancement of knowledge , Literature , natural/social sciences and philosophy, Almost no Inheritance for women, Almost no women Education, Burqa and veil curse ,Low social status of Pashtun specially in non Pashtun areas like Karachi , Emirates etc, tribal system, health issues, family planning, big families, poverty, no official status of Pashto in practice, no good news papers of Pashto , No reading and writing of Pashto language, some bad customs in Pashtunwali and Pashtun way of life , proverbial innocence, tenacity, war like nature , belligerence, stubbornness etc of Pashtuns , no excellent media, smuggling, drug trafficking, agricultural problems, land distribution system , political distribution in two countries and many provinces within Pakistan and Afghanistan and many other social, economic, political, religious, economic and educational issues.

After identifying some of the main problems and issues of Pashtuns and their society, now I shall very briefly talk about the causes of all these problems.

One can imagine easily that problems are always a vicious circle. One problem generates another and the snowball effect magnifies the volume and size of the predicament. For example lack of modern education causes problems like religious extremism, obscurantism, terrorism etc and these problems cause lack of opportunities for imparting and receiving modern education.

Similarly no official status of Pashto language making its writing and reading difficult and scarce but no reading and writing of Pashto by almost 70 millions of Pashtuns make this language deprived of any official status. Some bad customs in Pashtun society, tribalism, and stubbornness of Pashtuns make them ignorant, uneducated and ignorance and no education make Pashtuns more tribal and stubborn.

Simple conclusion is that one problem become cause of the other and what’s important is breaking this vicious circle on all fronts and making Pashtuns a modern, prosperous, progressive, well educated and developed people.

Now coming to the most important part, how can we solve all these problems and issues?

My solution as always is based on self observation, self critical, self improvement, reformation, education, change, development, renaissance, renovation, reorganization, restructuring, overhaul, and rectification NOT BLAMING OTHERS. Even if Pashtuns are sure that my this very problem is because of Punjabis, USA etc, they should not concentrate on blaming them, but should retrospect their own selves that why Punjabis is doing such and such with us. Why we become prey to their hunting. How can we make ourselves strong enough that they may not dare to harm us?

My this approach is based on some political and philosophical notions like Realism and Pragmatism, on some very simple proverbs like as you sow so shall you reap, on verses of Rahaman Baba like kar da gulo ka che sima de gulzar shi, kar da azcho makrha che pa pkho ke ba de khar shi( if you sow flowers you ll get a garden of flowers, if you sow thorns then you shall get your feet injured) , on some Quranic verses like one cannot change oneself if he or she does not want that, some sayings of the Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) that every one is responsible for his/her own deeds etc.

My approach is internal, intrinsic, within our own selves not targeting others.
USA destroyed parts of Japan in Second World War, instead of blaming USA, Japan concentrated on self improvement even by making USA its friend and now the success of Japan as an economic power is not a secret.

My request to all Pashtuns is to concentrate on their own self improvement instead of wasting energies against their enemies. Something is wrong with us that’s are why others are having opportunities to destroy us and deprive us of our own rights and privileges.

I know the complexity of the problems of Pashtun society and its solution is not easy. It’s like asking for a moon but for thousands years of journey we have to take the first step from the zero. The worst thing is that there is no any such reformation movement in Pashtun areas. The political parties are busy in their day to day politics. NGOs are either not allowed to work in Pashtunland or they concentrate on particular issues like alleviation of poverty etc.

Bacha khan Foundation may be an exception and for the time being the only hope. Other intellectuals are either busy in writing poetry or blaming others for the problems of Pashtuns. I wish we could have a reformist/educational movement for all Pashtun areas in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The local population must rise against Taliban and should expel them from Pashtunland. This was seen in some parts of Pashtunkhwah as Bajaur and had good consequences.

We can have a two pronged policy, working for peace by expelling Taliban and meanwhile educating and reforming Pashtuns and having legal business and commercial activities.

A detailed research is required on the issue of the tribal system and Pashtuns. For me the only positive aspect of the tribal system is keeping alive the Pashtun identity and some good customs and traditions of Pashtuns other wise its an evil which must be wiped off if a balance can be maintained between preserving Pashtun identity, values and the extirpation if tribal system.

The very non democratic nature of tribal system, the male dominance in tribal affairs specially in jirgas, customs like swara, the role of malaks and khans, honor killings, the system of collective punishment, the absence of any effective judicial or legislative or executive system, the authoritative role of political agents, unpredictability of tribal leadership, loyalty to tribe instead of over all Pashtun cause, internal tribal wars and fights, resistance to modern education and development, tribalism as an obstacle in a national government of Pashtuns are some of the aspects which require urgent reformation and restructuring of tribal system in Pashtun areas in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

I differentiate Pashtun tribalism from other tribal systems as in Europe, Pakistan, and Kurds etc. Pashtun tribal system has its own peculiarities. I agree that Pashtun society in general is egalitarian but the tribal system depends more on maliks and tribal leaders and collective responsibility than on individual fundamental freedom rights. I don't say that political agent in Pakistan is an indispensable or integral part of tribal system. I hate that institution and it must be eradicated as soon as possible. He is a dictator in a system where there is no judiciary, no legislature only a despotic executive.

I know something of the Pashtun social fabric both in villages and cities , both in tribal and settled areas , and what ever I don't know will learn from friends. I feel no hesitation in learning something new. IF I AM TRYING TO REFORM PASHTUN SOCIETY I MUST REFORM FIRST MY OWN SELF.

I don't think that tribal system is based on total equality. In tribal system individual rights are smashed. I have lived part of my life in tribal areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan and I know how an individual survives in tribal society. What matters is the tribe, the society, the malik, sardar, warlords, drug traffickers, the political agent, not an individual Pashtun man or woman. Don't talk of woman. My heart weeps when I see that women have no say in any tribal or social affair of Pashtun society. I love Pashtun tribal system that it makes Pashtunwali alive, but the system can be reformed.


Once again I will stress that I don't deny role of external factors and contextual elements in a reformation process. Our behavior as an individual and as a group or nation is our response to a stimulus and stimulus is any change in environment. Environment may be biological, social, economic, cultural or of any other type. But what I SUGGEST THAT WE MAY NOT BLAME THESE EXTERNAL FACTORS FOR OUR PROBLEMS and we as an individual, group or society may control our external factors too so that we receive positive stimulus not negative. And my reforms are not on individual basis I want a collective effort WITH THE HELP OF FRIENDS AND WANT TO ESTABLISH AN EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

I agree with the uniqueness of each individual but society and collective goals make the destination one through education for collective benefits. Each individual quality when combined with others becomes a great force and that's why revolutions and national changes occur by reformation movements.

I once again say that for some problems of Pashtuns external factors are responsible but what I contest is that for any disease there must be first an internal immunity system and if not then there must be some prescribed medicines which may be injected in the internal body so that the body can resist all those antigens in case the internal antibodies don't work.

Pashtuns must have an inbuilt defense mechanism or a protection program against any foreign body. If Pashtuns as a people resist effectively then this would be the sign of a living great nation. Pashtuns as a minority in Pakistan and as majority in Afghanistan must protect their interests; no body from out side will come to their help. Outsiders may create problems but will never solve problems. The outsiders can be exploited in problem solution once there exists a real zest and zeal on internal front. USA defends Israel because Israel has made from itself a great nation.

If we see external factors responsible for our problems still we have to resist ourselves, just blaming them won’t solve the problem. I never mean that all causes are internal, what I mean is that the solution lies in our own hands. If we don't take steps to solve those problems then we Pashtuns are to be blamed. Pashtuns can only solve their problems no body else. This is the crux of the theory of Realism.

The vehicle which I talk for the change can be political parties, NGOS, reformation and development organizations. The issues are not intangible as the issues are very real like terrorism, extremism, education, literacy, economy, drugs, Talibanization, role of mullah, tribal system, women rights etc .Do you think all these issues are not concrete, not tangible, not solid all abstract. Otherwise one can tell that these problems are not real and there is no need to do anything for these issues and that we are living in a perfect society and there is no need for further change.


If the analysis presented here is not realistic then the readers may please make it so. I am not here just telling my standpoint. Readers’ contribution will make the analysis deeper and clearer. I think that we have to take into account the entire interplay of the diverse factors in order to understand the problem. Please let’s take into account all these factors and to reach a clear picture of the issue.

I also opine that the historically weak political structures of Pashtun society was unable to effectively respond to the intervention of outsiders’ .This weakness we have to remove. I would like to make it clear that my focus is not only on the present turmoil albeit it is the main part of my discussion; I take start from the Khilji, Lodhi and Suri Pashtun dynasties till Taliban. The Pashtun society, economy, language, culture all are my targets for my reforms package.

I am of the opinion that the uneven topography and hard terrain remained an obstacle in the integration of Pashtuns. This fact even one can see in the various dialects and accents Pashtuns have specially the hard and soft dialects. I am a hard dialect speaker and when I for the first time met a Wazir friend, I was really unable to understand his conversation with me. Many times I thought to request him to talk to me in English, Persian or Urdu but that was against my Pashtunwali. However later on I understood that it was mainly the matter of two letters KHIN/SHIN and GE/JHE and few geo-synonyms like dodai and marhai/tikaley. But now in this modern era we don't have these problems and now media and communication facilities have played an importance role that the absence of geographic proximity may not be an important factor for the non integration of Pashtuns and elimination of tribal system.

The geo -strategic location of Pashtun land can be exploited by Pashtuns to their advantage and can bargain with the foreign powers for getting them benefits. The land locked situation can become a problem that’s why Pashtuns have to maintain good relations with all concerned to reach the warm waters of Arabian sea and may be Iranian coasts.

I am not in favor of the various invasions and colonization in principle but even these invasions and colonization could be utilized for the benefit of Pashtuns. We can always learn from advanced nations as British introduced some very good things like railway lines, education system, Post system, Legal codes etc.

Pashtuns like Sher Shah Suri also colonized India and had introduced great reforms which were even continued by British government in India. Always there can be mutual learning between occupied and occupiers. I don't think Pashtuns were marginalized in Cold war rather the soviet invasion on Afghanistan rekindled Pashtun nationalism and Pashtun consciousness of being Pashtun. As a child I remember when the communists used to talk of Pashto and Pashtuns and books in Pashto surged and I read da Capital of Marx in Pashto later. Now I don’t see that enthusiasm for Pashto books these days. Dr Najeeb like people was a great product of that Pashtun awareness.

Afghan War by CIA/Americans (NOT Russians FOR ME) further added to the political fragmentation and paving the way for extremism. Involvement of Pashtuns with Indian Muslim nationalism is also a valid point but more dangerous was the Deobandi-Wahabi influence on Pashtuns. War on terror also played havoc with Pashtuns.

WHAT HAPPENED THAT HAPPENED? There are good and bad times in the history of nations. Now we should abolish the tribal structure with the preservation of Pashtunwali and should reform Pashtun society in way that Pashtun become a modern developed nation based on the tenets of Pashtunwali.

Some friends blame only Punjabis for all the problems of Pashtuns. I never link my analysis with the Pashtun national character but I put responsibility on Pashtuns to improve their situation. AND SOME TIMES GOOD CHARACTERISTICS OF PASHTUN BEING A UNIQUE RACE and qualities like their sincerity, bravery, hospitality , become problem to them and others exploit them. (On Punjabis and Pashtuns I have written separate articles).

ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY THAT FOR SOME CURRENT PROBLEMS YOU MAY ACCUSE PANJABIS BUT many problems of Pashtuns come from earlier times, before the division of India in 1947 and many problems after 1979 when USA/CIA AND THE THEN GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN WHICH MAY NOT BE ESSENTIALLY PANJABI used Pashtuns against Soviet invasion, THE RISE OF EXTREMISM, WAHABI INFLUENCE ETC. Making only Punjabis responsible for all the problems of Pashtuns is not just.

In this article I have tried to sum up my approach, my ideas, my personality, my dreams, my goals, my philosophy, my ideology, my theories, regarding Pashto and Pashtuns with a humble request to correct me where the readers deem it, to suggest me where they feel, to propose new ideas and solution where they consider. All in positive, impersonal, objective and constructive way for the betterment of Pashtuns and Pashto. We may avoid no ill feelings, no personal attacks, no labeling, and no abuses PLEASE.

I want to see a successful reformation movement in Pashtuns with the tools of realism, pragmatism, education, social changes, cultural adjustment, economic and social development, religious reconstruction, legal modifications. I think that first Pashtuns should be educationally advanced, economically developed then they may jump into politics of unification. Religion should be their personal affairs, Taliban and Mullahs should not decide for them. They may not struggle for changing borders instead they should concentrate on their education, culture, language, economy etc where ever they are , in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Middle east , USA, Canada , Europe.

And above all they should become consciously Pashtuns. Pashtunwali should be their pride and their identity. They should them selves read Pashto and practice Pashtunwali and teach the same to their children, friends and family members.

When I say NO POLITICS then from this I mean no politics of changing borders and talking of ideas like Pashtunistan or Loy Afghanistan etc. These ideas have already wasted much of the time and energy of our intellectuals without any result. I say intellectuals because I don't see any movement for these ideals. Even the political intellectuals and politicians like those of ANP and PMAP have reconciled with Pakistan and I don't see any such movement on the other side of Durand line to struggle for Loy Afghanistan etc.

But I don't suggest that Pashtun should not take part in internal politics where they are citizens. If they are citizens of Pakistan they should fully participate in local politics, the same in Afghanistan and even in Europe etc. If I differentiate Pashtun tribalism from other tribal systems as in Europe, Pakistan, Kurds etc. Pashtun tribal system has its own peculiarities.

I agree that pashtun society in general is egalitarian but the tribal system depends more on maliks and tribal leaders and collective responsibility than on individual fundamental freedom rights. I don't say that political agent is an indispensable or integral part of tribal system. I hate that institution and it must be eradicated as soon as possible. He is a dictator in a system where there is no judiciary , no legislature only a despotic executive.


In Pakistan and Afghanistan Pashtuns should defeat the religious extremists and should struggle for their due rights and status. Along with all this internal politics, they must concentrate on education, culture, economy, language, society, family, environment and other issues.

We should understand the simple self reformation and self improvement. Approach if a student does not want to learn , a teacher cant force things into his/her skull. Fault lies with student not with teacher. Fault lies with Pashtuns not with others. I request the honorable Pashtun intellectuals to think over the ugly reality that why, why we Pashtuns are so vulnerable to the influence of others. Why we are so weak , so susceptible, so easy to be enticed, duped, played with, deceived, why , why ,why. Do you think we Pashtuns are perfect We have no responsibility at all in what’s going on in THE Pashtunland. Its only Punjab, ISI who are doing all this so easily with Pashtuns, lets suppose they do all these evils ,then why we let them do it WITH US ,why.

The solution is inherent strength, making our own walls strong so that the thief does not enter our home. The thief will try to steal, to loot but we should not let him/her to do so, this is very simple. I don’t know why we don’t understand this simple point. For how long we shall waste our energies in blaming others , why not we reform our own selves instead of just blaming others and becoming happy, that accusing Punjab and ISI , my job is done

My solution is change, reformation, education, development, leaving religious extremism, modernism, secularism, democracy, generation of economic activities by competition, hard work and better management not by becoming slaves to others. Being political citizens of a country by ones own sweet will and choice is not slavery as some friends think Pashtuns are slaves of Punjab in Pakistan.

Implementation of any suggestion, solution or idea is a long, difficult but possible. Discussing the issue is 25 % implementation. First you diagnose the problem (25%), then you provide the solution (25 %) and then you solve the problem by taking practical steps (50%). As here the problem is related to the 70 million Pashtuns, its complex but can be solved. Many nations like Jews have gone through worst situation but now you see Jews in Israel as a developed nation.

[Badlun]

Da Punjabiano chamchai, it is not that they are the majority it is that they have blocked the inclusion of other ethnicities in these sector. If demographic factor were a reason, why could Bangalis got due share in these institutions. Har wakhth da dalagano pa shan da Punjabyano da kwanai satalo da addath praida.

Do you know the ground realities. Do you know what is ISSB and where are its centers? Do you know that is there any bar on entry of Pashtuns or others to participate in ISSB ? Do you know what is CSS? Is it a ethnicity base exam? Even they have quotas for Pashtuns, Balochs, Sindhis and FATA and at the same time all ethnicities can participate in open merit in all these exams.
Do not blame others. Khpal grewan ke hum lag ugora. khpal gholey khachan aw da bal jaroo. sta malgari kho khilafat aw da ummat khabarey kawi
aw sta ANP wala pa islamabad aw pekhawar dwano ke nast wi no da khpal haq khabara waley na kawi
da toley stomzey ba hala awareegi che da pashtano pa chaperchal ke da badlun ghag khor shi , awal zaan dey bya jahan dey

[Toramana]

[MENTION=1201]Toramana[/MENTION]

I am against all conspiracies theories and all blame games of Pashtuns. I am against if Pashtuns blame Punjabis, Tajiks, ISI, CIA, USA or any body.I do not work for any one of them but I am against the blame game.
Balochs and Sindhis have simialr problems of no education and living in tribal societies under wadheras and Sardars.

As I wrote elsewhere I ll try my level best to write in a way that you may understand me because if you don't understand me then its my problem not yours as I should blame myself not others for a problem related to me. I should use ways and means to make others understand not others should have extra efforts to understand me. If they cant make out of what I write then I should explain in a better way.Teacher is responsible not student for bad learning. I ll try to be concise , precise and comprehensive , if still I am not clear then you may please read all my posts for which luckily we have an option here in these forums.

1. I am of the bent of mind that fault lies with me not with others.This is my approach, ideology, idiosyncrasy or what ever you call it. I use this approach in problems solution, management and conflict resolution. When there is a problem, a conflict , a management issue, an imbroglio, mess, can of worms , my focus is on the effective, on the one who suffers not on the cause or the agent of causing the problem. This approach is based on my lateral thinking, creative and innovative ways to tackle issues which may not seem normal, standard way of looking at things.

Its quite common and easy to blame others than to take the responsibility on ones own shoulders. Its a common behavior pattern on individual, social and political level to blame others , the easiest way to tackle the issue. Even if its obvious that the other is at fault, still I think that I gave him or her the opportunity to cause me a problem. I blame the house owner not the thief. Why the thief does not rob others why him or her?

If I am poor then I am responsible for it not the colonial power or my boss or another province or nation.If Pakhtuns don't have sovereignty , then they are responsible for it not others. Why they dont have , because they never asked for it in a pragmatic, democratic , peaceful acceptable manner from the ones who are not giving it to them. If about 200 nations in the world have sovereignty , why not Pakhtuns?( I am writing a research paper on my this approach which I ll share with friends here)

2. All people don't think equally, that's why we have wars, problems, conflicts, schools of thoughts, differences , religions ,parties etc. One can oppose to my this approach as I oppose to others. Others may blame others for the problems of Pakhtuns but I blame Pakhtuns not others. This is the way I look at the problem of Pakhtuns.

When I don't hold others like Panjabis,ISI, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajiks,USA, CIA, etc responsible for the problems of Pashtuns , and some hold them responsible , then its the difference of looking at things from two different prisms. It does not mean that I am doing propaganda for them or I am their agent but I have my own way of looking at things and I am trying to present my case why Pakhtuns are responsible for their problems not others. THE SOLUTION IS REFORMATION, RENAISSANCE , RECONSTRUCTION NOT BLAMING OTHERS.

3. My this approach I don't apply only on Pakhtuns but this I apply everywhere, on my own self, on my family, on my friends, on Muslims, on Palestinians, on Jews on all from individual to family, to society to country and to the world. My this approach is not only for failures or problems but also for successes and achievements.

If USA is the world super power then she deserves it, if tiny Israel is giving tough time to so many Arabs then Israel only be admired for that. If Muslims from Maakah and Madinah started and conquered almost the whole known world of that time , then must be given the credit. If Khiljis, Lodhis and Suris governed India then these Pakhtuns must be appreciated. Its simple reward and punishment game.

You are no better than an ignorant Taleb with a stone-age mentality although here you behave as if you are a super-sage. You have developed a superficial understanding of the issues afflicting our area and people and are now considering it a gospel truth as a Taleb indoctrinated by the most retrogressive of the propaganda would do.

You cannot understand that it is primarily the responsibility of the govt to create environment and formulate policies as well as implementation mechanisms to spur industrial and civic development in an area. The govt does this not only through public sector investment but also through support to the private sector. The govt always has a complete monopoly over where would large-scale industrial investment and development go. It can even prefer one type of industrial development over the other.

Do you know how has Ranjit Singhistan denied KP its competitive advantage it has in power sector whereas has given the same advantage to Punjab in the form of provincial control over cotton production, distribution, and utilization, which in turn has lead to cotton industry in Faisalabad . It is very simple. An industrialist of Faisalabad procures cotton at subsidized price from local market and also gets the power which comes from KP and Baluchistan in the form of electricity and natural gas. An industrialist from KP on the other hand has to buy power to run his industry at the same rate but cotton at an elevated rate from Punjab. Who is the winner ultimately.

And now you are telling Baluchis they are themselves responsible for their condition the same excuse a die-hard Ranjit Singhi from Central Punjab would make.

You are more dangerous than a Mullah can be in my opinion.

[Toramana]

And Mullah Badlun, you are no better than a hermetic Mullah who tells people to focus inwardly to find the causes of their decay and afflicted state instead of searching for the external causes for such a condition as well. Such persons and classes have been very useful to colonialists, imperialists, and exploiters throughout history for they spread the most deadly of fatalistic thinking in the dominated people to make them accept the authority of those that lord them.

British Raj took benefit of the services of such people in the form of sajjada nashins and gaddi nashins that they patronized. These gaddi nashin used to tell people that all fault of their subjugated state lie with them and the British deserve the status they have. The ultimate aim was spreading pacifism in the colonized population and making them submissive and accepting of the colonialist subjugation.

Go to Punjab. You can turn out to be a valuable instrument for them of a different kind than a Taleb leader like Nasiruddin Haqani was. You can help them neutralize the nationalistic and progressive discourse that Paki state and intelligence agencies also have something to do with their condition. You can become one of the qam-kharsi chamcha for them as many other qam-kharsi Pashthana.