should afghanistan withdraw from saarc summit?

[marwat]

india and Bangladesh withdraw from saarc summit which would be held in islamabad this year, there are reports that bhutan and afghanistan are going to withdraw too soon.
personally i think afghanistan should not withdraw now, they should have withdrawn earlier before the indian,as afghanistan is the most affected country due to pakistan policies. withdrawing now gives a wrong message of greater influence of india in afghaistan

[Shapur]

No, Afghanistan should not take sides in the Indo-Pak Desi matters. Afghanistan's concern should always be to closely coordinate her actions with what the Pashtuns of Pakistan want. I am not talking about the Gul Khan types but those who are truely concerned about pashtun interests.

[Shamlawar Khurasani]

Afghanistan should use indirect political and diplomatic action against Pakistan.

[Da Bannu Mazdigar]

SAARC should be dissolved.

[Firdousi]

No, Afghanistan should not take sides in the Indo-Pak Desi matters. Afghanistan's concern should always be to closely coordinate her actions with what the Pashtuns of Pakistan want. I am not talking about the Gul Khan types but those who are truely concerned about pashtun interests.

Eh, no. Vast majority of Pathans have proved to be loyal to Pakistan. You guys must stop with this Pashtun nationalism now. Pashtunism is dead. When you Afghan Pashtuns will realize this?

Afghanistan´s concert should always be to improve Afghanistan´s citizen quality of life.

[Shapur]

Eh, no. Vast majority of Pathans have proved to be loyal to Pakistan. You guys must stop with this Pashtun nationalism now. Pashtunism is dead. When you Afghan Pashtuns will realize this?

Afghanistan´s concert should always be to improve Afghanistan´s citizen quality of life.

I have no problem with Pashtuns being loyal to Pakistan because thats their nationality and that's where they have ended up. Pakistani Pashtuns can fight for their rights within Pakistan and if they feel they can't do that in the future, they know what to do. I don't know what you mean by pashtun nationalism. To me Pashtun nationalism is being proud to be Pashtun, working for your people, preserving your language and culture, fighting for the interests of your people. I also respect your right to be a Tajik, Persian nationalist. This doesn't mean we can't live in a country together called Afghanistan. I want the Afghan government to celebrate Rumi, Sanai, Al Biruni, etc and not just Khushal Khan Khattak and Ahmad Shah Abdali. All citizens of Afghanistan whether Uzbek, Nuristani etc should feel proud of their own distinct identity while at the same time working for the overall good of the country called Afghanistan. I wouldn't mind if Tajiks of Tajikistan and Afghanistan have closer ties, it would make me happier actually. The colonial drawn boundries have seperated people who are related by blood and culture. We can't isolate ourselves because the Farangis drew some lines hundreds of years ago.

[Firdousi]

I have no problem with Pashtuns being loyal to Pakistan because thats their nationality and that's where they have ended up. Pakistani Pashtuns can fight for their rights within Pakistan and if they feel they can't do that in the future, they know what to do. I don't know what you mean by pashtun nationalism. To me Pashtun nationalism is being proud to be Pashtun, working for your people, preserving your language and culture, fighting for the interests of your people. I also respect your right to be a Tajik, Persian nationalist. This doesn't mean we can't live in a country together called Afghanistan. I want the Afghan government to celebrate Rumi, Sanai, Al Biruni, etc and not just Khushal Khan Khattak and Ahmad Shah Abdali. All citizens of Afghanistan whether Uzbek, Nuristani etc should feel proud of their own distinct identity while at the same time working for the overall good of the country called Afghanistan. I wouldn't mind if Tajiks of Tajikistan and Afghanistan have closer ties, it would make me happier actually. The colonial drawn boundries have seperated people who are related by blood and culture. We can't isolate ourselves because the Farangis drew some lines hundreds of years ago.

Valid points, brother.

By Pashtun nationalists I mean those Pashtuns always pushing for Loy Awghansitan when its pretty obvious most of Pathans are proud citizens of Pakistan. I am not against cultural ties. I am against Pashtun aggressive nationalism.

BTW I am not a Tajik nationalists. I dont want to split up Afghansitan. I love my country. I would only support partition in worst case scenario (Taliban take over but I don't think thats going to happen). Since I consider Taliban as Afghans I believe they should stop working for Pakistan and join their own Afghan brothers. But that must be a relationship between equals. I believe every Afghan should live should by shoulder as equals in Afghanistan. I care first about Afghan people and only then about Tajiks and Iranians. The thing is most of Pashtun nationalists only care about Pathans and they consider non Pashtun Afghans as their enemies. Well thats unacceptable.

[Karachi]

I have no problem with Pashtuns being loyal to Pakistan because thats their nationality and that's where they have ended up. Pakistani Pashtuns can fight for their rights within Pakistan and if they feel they can't do that in the future, they know what to do. I don't know what you mean by pashtun nationalism. To me Pashtun nationalism is being proud to be Pashtun, working for your people, preserving your language and culture, fighting for the interests of your people. I also respect your right to be a Tajik, Persian nationalist. This doesn't mean we can't live in a country together called Afghanistan. I want the Afghan government to celebrate Rumi, Sanai, Al Biruni, etc and not just Khushal Khan Khattak and Ahmad Shah Abdali. All citizens of Afghanistan whether Uzbek, Nuristani etc should feel proud of their own distinct identity while at the same time working for the overall good of the country called Afghanistan. I wouldn't mind if Tajiks of Tajikistan and Afghanistan have closer ties, it would make me happier actually. The colonial drawn boundries have seperated people who are related by blood and culture. We can't isolate ourselves because the Farangis drew some lines hundreds of years ago.

The problem is not Pakistan being a nation or if Pashtuns are living there. The biggest problem is, Pakistan is a terror and extremism promoting state, I mean look the hundreds of thousands pashtuns who have been radicalized by the state there. Taliban was formed in Pakistan, not Afghanistan. Afghanistan should support the sanity of India rather then the insanity of Pakistan, I am glad Afghanistan government is being very tough on Pakistan

[Shapur]

Valid points, brother.

By Pashtun nationalists I mean those Pashtuns always pushing for Loy Awghansitan when its pretty obvious most of Pathans are proud citizens of Pakistan. I am not against cultural ties. I am against Pashtun aggressive nationalism.

BTW I am not a Tajik nationalists. I dont want to split up Afghansitan. I love my country. I would only support partition in worst case scenario (Taliban take over but I don't think thats going to happen). Since I consider Taliban as Afghans I believe they should stop working for Pakistan and join their own Afghan brothers. But that must be a relationship between equals. I believe every Afghan should live should by shoulder as equals in Afghanistan. I care first about Afghan people and only then about Tajiks and Iranians. The thing is most of Pashtun nationalists only care about Pathans and they consider non Pashtun Afghans as their enemies. Well thats unacceptable.

Ok, let's say that Pashtuns completely give up on Loy Afghanistan which is a pipe dream anayway and recognize the Durand Line. Do you think Pakistani establishment will leave Afghanistan alone? I am sure you are familiar with the strategic depth policy of Pakistani elites. They want to turn Afghanistan into their fifth province in case of a war with India. They want Afghanistan to be subservient to Pakistani elites and use our territory for their own protection. Do you want to get dragged into this Indo-Pak Desi wars? I certainly don't. Ofcourse as Muslims, Afghans will always defend muslims of subcontinent as we have always done through out history but fighting for the Pakistani elites and military industrial complex is a no no.

You are right that some Pashtuns in Afghanistan are unaware of ground realities in Pakistan. I would say most of the younger generation of Pashtuns in Pakistan are proud Pakistanis and we Afghan Pashtuns need to accept that fact. Having said that being Pakistani is only a nationality and it doesn't change the fact that we are both Pashtuns. There is no contradiction between being a proud Pakistani or Afghan and being a proud Pashtun. We will work within the framework of both countries to ensure full rights for Pashtuns.

As humans we tend to care about those closest to us. We naturally have more empathy for those we consider our own simply because we know them better and feel an attachment. Having said that, Pashtuns, Tajiks, Punjabis etc have a lot more in common than what separates us and we should concentrate on that. We should not be limited by colonial drawn boundries. Pashtuns nationalists shouldn't feel threatened by close ties between all Farsi speakers and likewise farsi speakers shouldn't be paranoid about Pashtuns of Afghanistan and Pakistan having close ties as long as those ties don't harm one group or the other. I see alot of pashtuns try to bring differences between Tajiks of Afghanistan and Tajikistan saying "oh but they look more mongoloid or they are not proper muslims" trying to cause divisions and I see farsiwans saying "pashtuns of Pakistan are too mixed with indics and they are now Pathan". Each side is trying bring each other down. We should be more secure in ourselves.

[Firdousi]

Ok, let's say that Pashtuns completely give up on Loy Afghanistan which is a pipe dream anayway and recognize the Durand Line. Do you think Pakistani establishment will leave Afghanistan alone? I am sure you are familiar with the strategic depth policy of Pakistani elites. They want to turn Afghanistan into their fifth province in case of a war with India. They want Afghanistan to be subservient to Pakistani elites and use our territory for their own protection. Do you want to get dragged into this Indo-Pak Desi wars? I certainly don't. Ofcourse as Muslims, Afghans will always defend muslims of subcontinent as we have always done through out history but fighting for the Pakistani elites and military industrial complex is a no no.

You are right that some Pashtuns in Afghanistan are unaware of ground realities in Pakistan. I would say most of the younger generation of Pashtuns in Pakistan are proud Pakistanis and we Afghan Pashtuns need to accept that fact. Having said that being Pakistani is only a nationality and it doesn't change the fact that we are both Pashtuns. There is no contradiction between being a proud Pakistani or Afghan and being a proud Pashtun. We will work within the framework of both countries to ensure full rights for Pashtuns.

As humans we tend to care about those closest to us. We naturally have more empathy for those we consider our own simply because we know them better and feel an attachment. Having said that, Pashtuns, Tajiks, Punjabis etc have a lot more in common than what separates us and we should concentrate on that. We should not be limited by colonial drawn boundries. Pashtuns nationalists shouldn't feel threatened by close ties between all Farsi speakers and likewise farsi speakers shouldn't be paranoid about Pashtuns of Afghanistan and Pakistan having close ties as long as those ties don't harm one group or the other. I see alot of pashtuns try to bring differences between Tajiks of Afghanistan and Tajikistan saying "oh but they look more mongoloid or they are not proper muslims" trying to cause divisions and I see farsiwans saying "pashtuns of Pakistan are too mixed with indics and they are now Pathan". Each side is trying bring each other down. We should be more secure in ourselves.

Pakistan is an untrustworthy nation. When Ghani got into the office he adopted a pro-Pak policy. Pakistan promised to bring Taliban to the negotiation table but they failed to deliver it. Reason? They can't do so. If they stop their support Taliban will become an enemy of Pakistan. Taliban used to be an asset for Pakistan but now they are a liability. So right now Pakistan is between the rock and a hard place. I don't care about Desi civil war but the only reason we are constantly dragged into this its because of Pashtuns. Tajiks tend to look more toward Central Asia, Iran, Middle East and West. Its only Pashtuns who are obsessed with India/Pakistan (don't get me wrong Tajiks are by far the most anti-Pakistan ethnic group in Afghanistan)

The reason I oppose Pashtun nationalism its because its extremely aggressive and discriminatory. Afghanistan was the only nation that did not recognize Pakistan after her foundation. Afghanistan used to send troops into the tribal areas and also supported anti-Pakistani elements in there. Pashtun nationalism has always poisoned Afghanistans foreign and domestic policy. Monarchy, Republic, Communism/Socialism, Mujahedeens, Taliban and now with Democracy, Pashtuns have always tried to impose their will and violent nationalism on non Pashtuns and on Pakistan. Sorry brother but we can't trust Pashtunism.

Once again I am not against cultural ties. I believe we should work with all our neighbors, Pakistan included. I am for regional integration, progress and stability. I also oppose Tajik chauvinism. I dislike nationalism and religious fanaticism. I am first a Muslim (not very religious though but I believe in Islamic values), then Afghan and then Tajik/Persianspeaker.

[Elite Pakhtun]

Pashtun nationalism can transpire without being boundary line driven.