My approach towards the problems of pashtuns &its solution

[Badlun]

This thread will enable me to explain what I think and feel about Pakhtuns and their problems.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.

[Badlun]

Introducing my approach a little bit, now I would like to comment further on whats happening in Pakhtun lands and why I hold Pakhtuns responsible for whats going on.
Whats going on Pakhtun areas? First problem identification then causes and finally its solution

A SHORT LIST OF THE PROBLEMS AND ISSUES IN PASHTUN AREAS AND SOCIETY,

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 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 Pakhto language, some bad customs in Pashtunwali and Pashtun way of life , proverbial innocence, tenacity, war like nature , belligerence, stubbornness etc of Pakhtuns , 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.

[Badlun]

After identifying some of the main problems and issues of Pashtuns and their society , now I ll 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 predicamnet. 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 , stubbornness of Pashtuns make them ignorant , un educated and ignorance and no education make Pashtuns more tribal and stubborn.

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

[Badlun]

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 Panjabis, USA etc , they should not concentrate on blaming them, but should retrospect their own selves that why Pnajabis 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 Pakhtuns is to concentrate on their own self improvement instead of wasting energies against their enemies. Something is wrong with us that's why others are having opportunities to destroy us and deprive us of our own rights and privileges.

[Badlun]

I know the complexity of the problems of Pashtun society and its solution is not easy,,,,, its like asking for a moon but for a 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 ( LOCAL+FOREIGNERS)and should expel them from Pashtunland. This was seen in 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.

[Badlun]

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 eb 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.

A detailed thread will be dedicated to discussion on Pashtuns and Tribal system.

[Badlun]

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 wana a collective effort WITH THE HELP OF YOU 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 goalas make the destination one through education for collective benefits. Each individual quality when combined with others become a great force and that's why revolutions and national changes occur by reformation movements.

[Badlun]

Please check the list of the problems we Pashtuns face and that many more problems can be added to that list. You may please contribute in this respect as problem identification is the first step towards its solution. Please feel free criticizing my ideas . You have your space, your post and express freely what you think appropriate. I believe in the democratic and tolerant nature of this site where all have freedom of expression.

I agree 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 its interests , no body from out side will come to their help. Outsiders may create problems as Britishers , 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 wont 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. I agree with you that pashtuns can only solve their problems no body else.This is the crux of the theory of Realism.

The vehicle which we talk for the change can be political parties , NGOS, reformation and development organizations.

[Badlun]

If a friend think all my ideas are based on intangible issues then you may please correct me here. My issues are 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!!!You please guide me here that these problems are not real and there is no need to do anything for these issues. We are living in a perfect society and no need for further change.

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.

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 here from you friends, I feel no hesitation in learning something new. IF I AM TRYING TO REFORM PASHTUN SOCIETY I MUST REFORM FIRST MY OWN SELF.

[Badlun]

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 has 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.

If the analysis presented here is not realistic then please make it so. I am not here just telling my standpoint,,,,your 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 lets 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.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.

[Badlun]

I am of the opinion that the uneven topography and hard terrain remained an obstacle in the integration of Pakhtuns. This fact even one can see in the various dialects and accents Pakhtuns have specially the hard and soft dialcets. 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 Pakhtunwali. However later on I understood that it was mainly the matter of two letters KHIN/SHIN and GE/JHE and few geosynonyms 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 Pakhtuns and elimination of tribal system.

The geostrategic location of Pakhtun land can be exploited by pakhtuns to their advantage and can bargain with the foreign powers for getting them benefits. The land locked situation can become a problem thats why Pakhtuns 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 colonialization in principle but even these invasions and colonization could be utilized for the benefit of Pakhtuns. We can always learn from advanced nations as British introduced some very good things like railway lines, education system , Post system , Legal codes etc.

Pakhtuns 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 Pakhtuns were marginalized in Cold war rather the soviet invasion on Afghanistan rekindled Pakhtun nationalism and Pakhtun consciousness of being Pakhtun.As a child I remember when the communists used to talk of Pakhto and Pakhtuns and books in Pakhto surged and I read da Capital of Marx in Pakhto later. Now I dont see that enthusiasm for Pakhto books these days. Dr Najeeb like people was a great product of that Pakhtun awareness.

Afghan War by CIA/Americans (NOT Russians FOR ME )further added to the political fragmentation and paving the way for extremism.

Involvement of Pakhtuns with Indian Muslim nationalism is also a valid point but more dangrious was the Deobandi-Wahabi influence on pakhtuns. War on terror also played havoc with Pakhtuns.

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 Pakhtunwali and should reform Pakhtun society in way that Pakhtun become a modern developed nation based on the tenets of Pakhtunwali.

[Badlun]

Some friends blame only Panjabis for all the problems of Pashtuns. I never link my analysis with the Pakhtun 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 panjabis and Pakhtuns we will have a separate thread .

ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY THAT FOR SOME CURRENT PROBLEMS YOU MAY ACCUSE PANJABIS BUT many problems of Pashtuns come from ealrier 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 Panjabis responsible for all the problems of Pashtuns is not just.

[Badlun]

In this thread I am trying 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 you deem it, to suggest me where you feel, to propose new ideas and solution where you consider,,,,all in positive , impersonal, objective and constructive way for the betterment of Pashtuns and Pashto ,,,,,no ill feelings ,,no personal attacks, no labeling , no abuses PLEASE.

I wana 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 but NO POLITICS FOR THE TIME BEING.

I think that first pakhtuns should be educationally advanced, economically developed then they may jump into politics. 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 they are , in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Middle east , USA, Canada , Europe where ever they are ,,,

And above all they should become consciously Pakhtuns ,,Pakhtunwali 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.

[شمله ور خراساني]

You forgot something. One of the main problems of Pashtun society is that every Pashtun considers himself to be some kind of a prophet. And has the urge to talk and preach the gospel not realizing you are one in an army of self-proclaimed prophets with allot of words, yet very little knowledge.

So it is better to be modest, down to earth, humble speak only of things you can backup with proof.

[Badlun]

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 nay 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 Kashmiris can become MPAs in England why not Pashtuns?????'

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