Jun 1961 - “Pakhtoonistan” Dispute. Pakistani Allegations of Afghan Incursions.

[Elite Pakhtun]

Who is We?

There is a reason why most Pashtuns came to Pakistan during the war and there is a reason why there are Wazir IDPs in Afghanistan. That reason is because we are one and the same.

Completely agree. Glad we could help our brethren.

Why are you comparing internal Pashtun matters to how Pashtuns will be treated in Western countries? What is the relevance here?

You are correct. My only reason for bringing it up, is because of the maltreatment of Pakistanis when they're in Afghanistan, and also because of the overabundance of Afghans who look to disparage Pakistan any opportunity they get. Even certain people on this site aren't immune from this. Even in situations where, for example, a terrorist attack took place, and the accused was initially Pakistani, but was subsequently long since confirmed as a not guilty, you see certain members of this website taunting Pakistan, referring it to the terrorist capital of the world, etc. It happened very recently.

Shooting Pakistani laborers is very different from harassment though. Plus grounding entertainers, and making life difficult for any Pakistani that visits, is very different from refugee plight. One is done through official means, via visas etc, the other is done on humanitarian grounds. If an Afghan visits Pakistan, or comes to work via a visa (vs humanitarian reasons to work), and the Pakistani mistreated them, I would say the same thing. I'm not saying mistreating refugees is acceptable, far from it. I'm saying if run-of-the-mill transactions can't transpire without someone getting killed, the brotherhood appears very one sided.

I do admit that Pashtuns were treated pretty good by the local people and comparatively better by the Pakistani authorites than for example, Iran. Pashtuns of Afghanistan do appreciate the hospitality of Lar Pashtuns but it doesn't mean Pakistan can use this good deed they have to always blackmail Afghanistan or expect Afghanistan not to stand up for its self interests. The merit of a good deed is lost when the intention is not pure.

Completely agree wrora. This is why I said, if India is offering lower cost anything, they should definitely take it. There are some Pakistanis who are upset that Afghans aren't carte blanche taking our side... that is unreasonable. But when things like rejecting half a billion in aid, or trying to make deals which deliberately bypass Pakistan, transpire.. it appears as if there's active support of a hostile enemy. This feels like a betrayal to a large extent. Afghanistan would not be faulted for being neutral. They are free to be neutral. But deliberately siding with our enemy appears malicious. Maybe more dialogue needs to transpire to clarify things, I don't know. But the primary concern is not neutrality, it's being in cahoots with the enemy.

We must not forget that Pakistan also benefited from the Afghan-Soviet War because the main aim of the Soviet Union was to reach the warm waters of Indian ocean so Pakistan was next on the line if Afghanistan didn't resist.

Fair point. Although, depending on who you ask, it may not necessarily have been negative for Pakistan. The alarm bells were being rung by the US, as they were seeing growing Soviet influence.

This is probably something that needs a dedicated thread.

I have a few relatives who still in Peshawar and some of them have intermarried with locals. They were never given a penny by Pakistan government and pay their own rent and all other expenses. I don't expect Pakistan to pay them because Pakistan is itself poor and doesn't have a welfare system so it would be too much to expect. Only refugees were given the right to stay in open un populated areas for free and the tents and food was provided by UNHCR, US aid etc. I mean come on its the least one can expect.

In essence, they were allowed to do what they want, in a country with 0 welfare for everyone. Many had to live in tents provided by UNHCR, agreed. Those that could start own businesses were free to start businesses. Many businesses were, and are, owned by Afghans all over Pakistan. Afghans meaning Afghanistan citizens, not Pakhtuns from Pakistan (although they may be Pakhtuns from Afghanistan, I don't know).

There might be some stories of mistreatment of Pakistanis at the hand of Afghan authorities but same is true for Afghans living in Pakistan such as police harassment. The police in our part of the world are really corrupt and these incidence are common even against the locals. I don't hold the behavior of corrupt officials against the people of Pakistan nor should you hold the mistreatment of Pakistanis against common Afghans.

True. That is a valid point. The police are definitely corrupt.

Regardless, we should not be wasting our time inter-fighting. Those in our respective countries, particularly those that may be of different ethnic backgrounds and have hostile intent, will see this as a godsend.

[Peshawer_222]

When we travel within European Union we don't need Visa. I know our region is not stable enough for this to happen but it will happen in the future. Borders are not the problem, borders exist within Pakistan as well for example between Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. The real issue is when borders are used to seperate people on purpose and then deliberately keep them apart to increase the distance between people who would normally be the closest to each other. Don't you find it ironic that a Pashtun from Afghanistan or Pakistan needs permission from a Punajbi/Tajik to travel to each other's area? A pashtun from Afghanistan can't buy property in Pashtun area of Pakistan but Punjabi can just because he is from Pakistan. What kind of absurdity is that? By the same token, a Pakistani Pashtun may not be able to buy property in jalalabad but Hazara can just because they live in Afghanistan. I hope you realize how dumb that sounds. So borders are not just lines on a piece of paper but they have real life implications on trade, cultural exchange, identity and self determination.

European style borders are not possible within this region because Afghanistan is unstable since 40 years . If borders get opened now there will be a population vacuum in Afghanistan because everyone will either run away to Pakistan or Iran .

[Shapur]

Yes we do intend to shed blood for kashmir because we are integral part of Army..Why not shed blood for a nation or state that has given us so much no other states has elevated us as much as paksitan..I love Afghanistan but not more than Pakistan.This is where our kids and generation getting education , building there lives and holding strength in armed forces..We will definitely fight against Hindus..Afghanistan may decide not to fight since they are good friends to each other..Pashtuns in Pakistan are loyal to the state or land they are served in..We will prefer pakistan interest to afghanistan because it is Paksitan that will fight for us against anyone..Afghanistan who knows will again rule by some king or tribal or warlord through us to wolves just to protect his kingdom or whatever..We fight against USSR in afghanistan also so what you are saying is not fully correct..We would prefer our people get more rights more education but within the loyal umberalla of Pakistan..

Be my guest and start Ghazva e Hind and what not. I respect your sense of patriotism but we have to be careful not to confuse patriotism with fighting the wars of other people and keeping the military industrial complex in business. If you have noticed it is always the emotional Pashtuns who are the first to issue warnings to India and use emotional language whenever there are tensions with India. Others are just staying calm and even making fun of Pashtuns sometimes for being emotional and simple. I support any country's right to defend themselves against foreign aggression but we must be careful not to become canon fodder for military elites and other corrupt politicians who never send their own kids to wars but use Pashtuns kids in the name of Islam and nationalism.

Afghanistan and India's relations are just politics of interests, most common Afghans have nothing in common with majority Indians besides Bollywood and living in the same neighborhood. In reality Afghans and Pakistanis especially Pashtuns on both sides are much closer to each other. There are no friends in politics but self interest when it comes to state level. Afghanistan's government needs to reassure Pakistan that its soil will not be used for Indian interference in Pakistan and Pakistan has to reassure Afghanistan that it's soil will not be used against Afghanistan. At the moment both sides are guilty of supporting proxies against each other, Afghanistan (BLA, TTP) and Pakistan (Taliban, haqqanis) etc. In order to stop the blame game and reach a resolution, some compromises need to be made on both sides and some ground realities need to be acknowledged.

I respect and adore Ahmed shah baba , Khushal khan khattack no doubt in it.They are our heroes..But after that Had we gone by that logic we would have support Bacha khan baba, who want pashtuns to remain loyal to India..He bring Nehru with him in tribal areas also.. See what elders did to Nehru and what they did to Jinnah. I would respect a leader who let us free from the evil Hindus not the one who wanted us to live with them..Pakistan nationalism was simple protecting the lives and better hood of people living in the areas what is now called as pakistan.And i am all for giving refuge to afghans or burmes Pakistan has done this in past also..Ideology is simple two nations where neither ethnicity nor secularism will prevail.

This is a another misconception against what Kudai khedmatgar stood for. It wasn't just Bacha Khan who supported the idea of united India but many muslim scholars as well so its dishonest just to blame Bacha Khan. They had their reasons as to why muslims should remain part of India because some believed after the British leave, muslims would return to power and also in the long run, muslims will out breed Hindus. The partition caused alot of bloodshed and communal violance and the two nation theory flopped after 21 years with Bangladesh leaving pakistan. You need to do more research about this subject before blaming Bacha khan. Blaming Bacha Khan is good pass time for anti ANP elements and fake religious groups.
The tribal people will ofcourse prefer Jinnah because they thought he was muslim. Most Pashtuns still don't know that Jinnah was an Ismailli Shia from Gujrat India who was a secular and there is controversy whether he genuinely converted to Sunni Islam.

The existance of Pakistani state has done great damage to trade in south-central Asia. The oil and gas of Middle East was exported to the West instead of the Indian sub continent where more than 1 billion people live. The West fully supported Pakistan during the 1965 war against India and used Pakistan as an obstacle to trade between rest of the world and India. Even now Pakistan is obstacle in implementation of energy pipelines from Central Asia and Middle East citing Kashmir as an excuse . Without this senseless and fake love/hate relationship between india and Pakistan, this region would have been so much more stable and richer. Poor Kashmiris and others are paying the price for the politics of the elite. It was the muslims hords who pillaged India for gold and wealth and Hindus are evil? Even being muslim we need some honesty, defending corrupt kings and rulers is not part of defending islam.

Again this will just cause harm to us not good..Millions of pashtuns then have to leave karachi lahore and areas..Sindhis will say we prefer sindhis in karachi to buy property or do business you live in your pashtun lands..Same will be said by punjabis and other..And the say will come when we started to feel nothing for each other that will bring misery to us..Like in afghanistan rulers invite other because they are much hostile to other section of the group or ethnicity..

Nobody has to leave any area but everyone has to respect the local people's law, culture, religion and language. As long as Pashtuns respect these things, Sindhis will have no problem with them. Sindhis will have problem with Muhajirs, Pashtuns and Punjabis who stripped their province of their identity for the sake of Pakistani state identity. There is a reason why the Baloch people don't want too many Punjabis, Pashtuns and other Pakistanis to come to Gawadar, they feel their identity will be under threat, their resources will be used by others and they will be outnumbered in their own province. There is a reason why Europeans don't want too many muslim immigrants. It is a form of self protection. I know there are many Pakistani nationlists who don't care about regional identities and want all provinces of Pakistan to look the same and wouldn't raise an eyebrow if they lose their mother tongue for the sake of better integration into mainstream Pakistani culture which is Indic.
Let's see how hospitable pashtuns are when millions of Sindhis and Punjabis move into Mardan, Quetta and other cities.

I love pashtuns where ever they are but the chronological order i follow is

1) Muslim 2) Pakistan 3)Paktun
and that is why we are united and able to protect the interest of each other..Why i stop some other to buy things in KP if they follow the same we will never get admission in good universities in lahore or karachi..

What you referring is complete utopia , instead better to flourish ourselves with the realities we are living in..

Why to betray the nation or say bad about Jinnah..When Molana shabber usmani pray his funeral..Why i say bad about a guy who let us get independence for Hindus and Britishers..Why we betray a people who did not left us in time of need..Bacha khan was supporting congresss Nehru Hindu, so now a hindu nehru is good just because someone don't like Jinnah. Sorry for that we can't do that
With same logic we should support Achakzai or Asfandyar then a Niazi Imran who lives in Punjab and getting looted by asfandyar again..No we better ruled by Imran who is doing good then both of these..Police , hospitals, education all are getting better in his era..

What I am saying is not a utopia but a reality of living in a globalized world. Pakistan, Afghanistan and India can't live in a bubble cut off from the rest of the world. What I am saying is that nation states based on fix borders will become obsolete in a globalized world and China is already going on that path by following One Road, One vision policy. It doesn't mean people will suddenly disappear but border will mean less and less just like in European Union and people will be free to move everywhere.

My question is that in such a globalized world, How can we retain our culture and language? What is your solution for this? Already in Pakistan 90% of educated people can't read or write in Pashto. What is your solution to this problem? I know most people only care about filling their stomache and these things are not top priority on their agenda but one day we will be economically rich but at what cost? Will there be such a thing left as Pashtuns or will we become a part of history and in Pakistan speak urdu and in Afghanistan speak Farsi.

I agree about Imran Khan though, he is one of the few non corrupt politicians in Pakistan. If Imran Khan becomes Prime Minister, it will be good for the region, he wants good relations with India and doesn't want to fight useless wars and focus on the people instead.

[Shapur]

European style borders are not possible within this region because Afghanistan is unstable since 40 years . If borders get opened now there will be a population vacuum in Afghanistan because everyone will either run away to Pakistan or Iran .

Yes, not today or next 20 years but it will happen.

[Shapur]

You are correct. My only reason for bringing it up, is because of the maltreatment of Pakistanis when they're in Afghanistan, and also because of the overabundance of Afghans who look to disparage Pakistan any opportunity they get. Even certain people on this site aren't immune from this. Even in situations where, for example, a terrorist attack took place, and the accused was initially Pakistani, but was subsequently long since confirmed as a not guilty, you see certain members of this website taunting Pakistan, referring it to the terrorist capital of the world, etc. It happened very recently.

Of course maltreatment of any poor worker is wrong no matter where they come from and most Afghans and Pakistanis would condemn such a thing if they see it in person. Most of the workers are Pashtuns who travel between AFG and Pak so it is in our interest to reduce these things but without proper governance, this is most likely to carry on.
There is no doubt that there has been a recent increase in hostility between the people of both countries due reasons well known but non Pashtuns will not be effected by tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan, its always pashtuns on both sides who will suffer and the Torkham incidence, APS massacre etc are a proof of this.
Both Afghans and Pakistanis shouldn't take criticisms of their respective countries personally. Rather than insulting each other's critics, we need to find out why someone is feeling this way about our country and see what we can do to alleviate the situation. When two brothers fall out over an issue, do we automatically pick up guns and kill each other or insult each other? NO, we need to hold a Jirga meeting and talk to each other about our concerns and find a solution. As they say in Pashto "Gila de khpelo kegi". I think most of this is happening because, pashtuns on both sides have drifted apart due to being part of two different countries and both sides trying to prove their loyalty to their respective states rather than focusing on their common goal.

Shooting Pakistani laborers is very different from harassment though. Plus grounding entertainers, and making life difficult for any Pakistani that visits, is very different from refugee plight. One is done through official means, via visas etc, the other is done on humanitarian grounds. If an Afghan visits Pakistan, or comes to work via a visa (vs humanitarian reasons to work), and the Pakistani mistreated them, I would say the same thing. I'm not saying mistreating refugees is acceptable, far from it. I'm saying if run-of-the-mill transactions can't transpire without someone getting killed, the brotherhood appears very one sided.

I guess you are referring to that accident involving that Issa Khan guy. To be honest, I don't know the full story but we must keep an open mind and find out the truth. That is a rate occurrence and nobody gets shot for being Afghan or Pakistani. I have personal stories of people getting harassed for being Afghans even though they were British nationals in Pakistan on a visit. I can't hold that against common Pakistanis or even all the establishment. I would say the brotherhood is not one sided at all but it is a fact that Afghanistan and Afghans at the moment need Pakistan more than vice versa due to 40 years war and being a land locked country thus it might appear one sided.

Completely agree wrora. This is why I said, if India is offering lower cost anything, they should definitely take it. There are some Pakistanis who are upset that Afghans aren't carte blanche taking our side... that is unreasonable. But when things like rejecting half a billion in aid, or trying to make deals which deliberately bypass Pakistan, transpire.. it appears as if there's active support of a hostile enemy. This feels like a betrayal to a large extent. Afghanistan would not be faulted for being neutral. They are free to be neutral. But deliberately siding with our enemy appears malicious. Maybe more dialogue needs to transpire to clarify things, I don't know. But the primary concern is not neutrality, it's being in cahoots with the enemy.

Trust me, if there is a war between muslims and Hindus, Afghans will always side with muslims as history has shown. When the muslims of sub continent were getting slaughtered by Marathas, it was Afghans (pashtuns) who saved them. I agree that Afghanistan and Pakistan must come to an agreement regarding the use of their soil for ulterior motives by their enemies. At the moment both countries are blaming each other without finding a solution.
Just out of curiosity, What are Pakistan's main concerns regarding Indian involvement in Afghanistan other than India's support for BLA and TTP?
Afghanistan says it is supporting these groups because Pakistan is supporting Taliban and Haqqanis and other groups and Pakistan is saying that it is supporting Taiban and Haqqanis because the Afghan government is too friendly with India and not enough pro Pakistani. What is the solution?

In essence, they were allowed to do what they want, in a country with 0 welfare for everyone. Many had to live in tents provided by UNHCR, agreed. Those that could start own businesses were free to start businesses. Many businesses were, and are, owned by Afghans all over Pakistan. Afghans meaning Afghanistan citizens, not Pakhtuns from Pakistan (although they may be Pakhtuns from Afghanistan, I don't know).

Regardless, we should not be wasting our time inter-fighting. Those in our respective countries, particularly those that may be of different ethnic backgrounds and have hostile intent, will see this as a godsend.

It is true that they were allowed to set up shops and businesses all over, but it wasn't given free to them, there was no government help to set up these business. It was through their own sheer work and effort that they succeeded but one can't deny that Pakistan provided them with a safe environment to conduct their business. Afghan refugees had a massive impact on Peshawar and the posh area of Hayatabad in Peshawar was mostly filled by Afghan nationals and now those houses are selling for peanuts because Afghans had to sell them as they can't legally own property in Pakistan so they did contribute to pakistan's well being as well. It wasn't just a one way street.
In most countries of the world, you are given citizenship after a while especially if you are born in that country but Pakistan didn't give citizenship to Afghans born in Pakistan nor could they legally own property, business. It is lose lose situation for both. I personally would hate if a Pakistani pashtun can't buy property in Afghanistan or set up a business. I think pashtuns on both sides need an agreement where pashtuns from both sides are free to buy property in Pashtun areas of each other's counties. Who are non Pashtuns to tell us what to do.

[Elite Pakhtun]

Good post, Shapur.

Just out of curiosity, What are Pakistan's main concerns regarding Indian involvement in Afghanistan other than India's support for BLA and TTP?

I believe this is it. There was concern of Pashtun nationalism sentiment, which some in the establishment are concerned will foment (or at least initiate) ideas of partitioning of Pashtun regions of Pakistan and merging with Afghanistan. That could be added to the list, as well.

What is the solution?

Well the solution would be for both to stop. Unfortunately, this is a prisoner's dilemma situation. The incentive to cheat is too high.

It is true that they were allowed to set up shops and businesses all over, but it wasn't given free to them, there was no government help to set up these business. It was through their own sheer work and effort that they succeeded but one can't deny that Pakistan provided them with a safe environment to conduct their business.

This is true, however, it is not free for anyone in Pakistan. The government doesn't do much other than routine maintenance of roads etc, pay the police something (not much), protect their politicians, and ensure the military is a good one. Oh, and take bribes. I forgot about that role as well.

You're right about the sheer effort. In Karachi, one of the reasons MQM mohajirs take issue with Pashtuns is because initially when Pashtuns migrated, they were doing menial stuff... selling fries, sweet corn, etc. In the recent past they've moved up to quiet decent "ranks", and the mohajirs are very threatened by this, as previously, they essentially had a bit of a monopoly. There was a massive turf war, and not a day would go by when you wouldn't read about some target killing BS in Karachi. This was not even that long ago. Naybe 5-6 years ago at the most.

Afghan refugees had a massive impact on Peshawar and the posh area of Hayatabad in Peshawar was mostly filled by Afghan nationals and now those houses are selling for peanuts because Afghans had to sell them as they can't legally own property in Pakistan so they did contribute to pakistan's well being as well. It wasn't just a one way street.

I wasn't aware that those that owned property were no longer allowed to own it. That's very bad. They shouldn't have been allowed to buy it in the first place if this is the case. Can anybody in Pak confirm this? Doesn't surprise me, these are highly corrupt countries we're talking about.

In most countries of the world, you are given citizenship after a while especially if you are born in that country but Pakistan didn't give citizenship to Afghans born in Pakistan nor could they legally own property, business. It is lose lose situation for both.

Agreed. However, knowing Pakistan, it's far more realistic that any Afghans with money could've bought a passport easily (probably when they entered the country), and those without are the ones going through this song and dance, and probably couldn't get it even if they were legitimately born in the country and spent their entire lives there. Sounds very much like Pakistan

[Samandri]

Good post, Shapur.



I wasn't aware that those that owned property were no longer allowed to own it. That's very bad. They shouldn't have been allowed to buy it in the first place if this is the case. Can anybody in Pak confirm this? Doesn't surprise me, these are highly corrupt countries we're talking about.

They are not allowed to buy properties in Pakistan, they have bought it in the name of local Pakistanis i.e illegally. So a Pakistani on whose name the property is bought, has to be a trustworthy person and should be ready to pay the amount to the Afghans in the end.

[Peacelove]

Be my guest and start Ghazva e Hind and what not. I respect your sense of patriotism but we have to be careful not to confuse patriotism with fighting the wars of other people and keeping the military industrial complex in business. If you have noticed it is always the emotional Pashtuns who are the first to issue warnings to India and use emotional language whenever there are tensions with India. Others are just staying calm and even making fun of Pashtuns sometimes for being emotional and simple. I support any country's right to defend themselves against foreign aggression but we must be careful not to become canon fodder for military elites and other corrupt politicians who never send their own kids to wars but use Pashtuns kids in the name of Islam and nationalism.

Afghanistan and India's relations are just politics of interests, most common Afghans have nothing in common with majority Indians besides Bollywood and living in the same neighborhood. In reality Afghans and Pakistanis especially Pashtuns on both sides are much closer to each other. There are no friends in politics but self interest when it comes to state level. Afghanistan's government needs to reassure Pakistan that its soil will not be used for Indian interference in Pakistan and Pakistan has to reassure Afghanistan that it's soil will not be used against Afghanistan. At the moment both sides are guilty of supporting proxies against each other, Afghanistan (BLA, TTP) and Pakistan (Taliban, haqqanis) etc. In order to stop the blame game and reach a resolution, some compromises need to be made on both sides and some ground realities need to be acknowledged.



This is a another misconception against what Kudai khedmatgar stood for. It wasn't just Bacha Khan who supported the idea of united India but many muslim scholars as well so its dishonest just to blame Bacha Khan. They had their reasons as to why muslims should remain part of India because some believed after the British leave, muslims would return to power and also in the long run, muslims will out breed Hindus. The partition caused alot of bloodshed and communal violance and the two nation theory flopped after 21 years with Bangladesh leaving pakistan. You need to do more research about this subject before blaming Bacha khan. Blaming Bacha Khan is good pass time for anti ANP elements and fake religious groups.
The tribal people will ofcourse prefer Jinnah because they thought he was muslim. Most Pashtuns still don't know that Jinnah was an Ismailli Shia from Gujrat India who was a secular and there is controversy whether he genuinely converted to Sunni Islam.

The existance of Pakistani state has done great damage to trade in south-central Asia. The oil and gas of Middle East was exported to the West instead of the Indian sub continent where more than 1 billion people live. The West fully supported Pakistan during the 1965 war against India and used Pakistan as an obstacle to trade between rest of the world and India. Even now Pakistan is obstacle in implementation of energy pipelines from Central Asia and Middle East citing Kashmir as an excuse . Without this senseless and fake love/hate relationship between india and Pakistan, this region would have been so much more stable and richer. Poor Kashmiris and others are paying the price for the politics of the elite. It was the muslims hords who pillaged India for gold and wealth and Hindus are evil? Even being muslim we need some honesty, defending corrupt kings and rulers is not part of defending islam.




Nobody has to leave any area but everyone has to respect the local people's law, culture, religion and language. As long as Pashtuns respect these things, Sindhis will have no problem with them. Sindhis will have problem with Muhajirs, Pashtuns and Punjabis who stripped their province of their identity for the sake of Pakistani state identity. There is a reason why the Baloch people don't want too many Punjabis, Pashtuns and other Pakistanis to come to Gawadar, they feel their identity will be under threat, their resources will be used by others and they will be outnumbered in their own province. There is a reason why Europeans don't want too many muslim immigrants. It is a form of self protection. I know there are many Pakistani nationlists who don't care about regional identities and want all provinces of Pakistan to look the same and wouldn't raise an eyebrow if they lose their mother tongue for the sake of better integration into mainstream Pakistani culture which is Indic.
Let's see how hospitable pashtuns are when millions of Sindhis and Punjabis move into Mardan, Quetta and other cities.



What I am saying is not a utopia but a reality of living in a globalized world. Pakistan, Afghanistan and India can't live in a bubble cut off from the rest of the world. What I am saying is that nation states based on fix borders will become obsolete in a globalized world and China is already going on that path by following One Road, One vision policy. It doesn't mean people will suddenly disappear but border will mean less and less just like in European Union and people will be free to move everywhere.

My question is that in such a globalized world, How can we retain our culture and language? What is your solution for this? Already in Pakistan 90% of educated people can't read or write in Pashto. What is your solution to this problem? I know most people only care about filling their stomache and these things are not top priority on their agenda but one day we will be economically rich but at what cost? Will there be such a thing left as Pashtuns or will we become a part of history and in Pakistan speak urdu and in Afghanistan speak Farsi.

I agree about Imran Khan though, he is one of the few non corrupt politicians in Pakistan. If Imran Khan becomes Prime Minister, it will be good for the region, he wants good relations with India and doesn't want to fight useless wars and focus on the people instead.

1) If you have noticed it is always the emotional Pashtuns who are the first to issue warnings to India and use emotional language whenever there are tensions with India. Others are just staying calm and even making fun of Pashtuns sometimes for being emotional and simple. I support any country's right to defend themselves against foreign aggression but we must be careful not to become canon fodder for military elites and other corrupt politicians who never send their own kids to wars but use Pashtuns kids in the name of Islam and nationalism.
You are right we are emotional even sometime when anybody speak ills of us or Pakistan there is something in my veins that pump me up to hold his jawI know this is not completely right thing to do.Actually no body can make us cannon folder now as we are in the army representing in our institution to reflect this now.But you should also consider even if we do it is logical since our benefits and livelihood are associated with Pakistan.If there is no Pakistan we will be like football everybody will kick us here and there..Together with Pakistan we are strong and our generations are getting what they need to spend a good life.

2) Afghanistan and India's relations are just politics of interests, most common Afghans have nothing in common with majority Indians besides Bollywood and living in the same neighborhood. In reality Afghans and Pakistanis especially Pashtuns on both sides are much closer to each other. There are no friends in politics but self interest when it comes to state level. Afghanistan's government needs to reassure Pakistan that its soil will not be used for Indian interference in Pakistan and Pakistan has to reassure Afghanistan that it's soil will not be used against Afghanistan. At the moment both sides are guilty of supporting proxies against each other, Afghanistan (BLA, TTP) and Pakistan (Taliban, haqqanis) etc. In order to stop the blame game and reach a resolution, some compromises need to be made on both sides and some ground realities need to be acknowledged.

You are senior and like elder brother, i don't want to argue more but most of the afghans i come across always praise india even though living in Pakistan they abuse it and i remember once they try to burn the flag of Pakistan in pakistan..Can you imagine what shall we do in this "Stand still and give them go ahead ".. Problem with afghanistan is they don't have center focus decision making authority..One day they start firing at border and second day they apologize.These things create hatred nothing else.I agree in politics there is self interest... Problem is afghans politicans and media is creating hatered in afghans for pakistan ..They are there own enemies ..Pasthuns are much closer to each other 100 % right but this doesn't reflect in afghanistan government behavior..I agree this TTP and Haqqanis are the current issue but you also knows other difference that create bad will.. When redcliff line is accepted , durand must also be accepted otherwise this problem will continue..Tell me if some pashtun become army chief or PM , he should announce that i don't accept durand line ? do you know how others (punjabis , sindhis and others will think)

3) his is a another misconception against what Kudai khedmatgar stood for. It wasn't just Bacha Khan who supported the idea of united India but many muslim scholars as well so its dishonest just to blame Bacha Khan. They had their reasons as to why muslims should remain part of India because some believed after the British leave, muslims would return to power and also in the long run, muslims will out breed Hindus. The partition caused alot of bloodshed and communal violance and the two nation theory flopped after 21 years with Bangladesh leaving pakistan. You need to do more research about this subject before blaming Bacha khan. Blaming Bacha Khan is good pass time for anti ANP elements and fake religious groups.
The tribal people will ofcourse prefer Jinnah because they thought he was muslim. Most Pashtuns still don't know that Jinnah was an Ismailli Shia from Gujrat India who was a secular and there is controversy whether he genuinely converted to Sunni Islam.

For me anyone who was against the creation of new Muslim nation does not hold much respect.Jinnah was much better to all of them. He was moderate and later he converted to sunni his funeral was offered by Mulana shabbir ahmed usmani the hardcore deobani who disassociate himself with rest of his people who were against pakistan..Muslim out breed hindus and will return to power in democracy was fantasies. Look what is happening to Muslims in india.They have no sayin decision making , they are no where in education, they are less than 1% in army in contrast to sikh much less than Muslims are holding key positions. Where are indian muslims in progress they are suppressed as much by the state.Muslims were forced to to sing Hindu made naitonal songs when they rule Subcontinent.
Jinnah was much devoted to muslims then those fanatics who used to call them KAFIR or what not.Jinnah didn't dress like Muslims Jinnah is moderate and what not..Then why majority didn't listen to Molna Azad, Balochi Ghandi, Sarhandi Ghandi,Molana Madni, all these statue of liberal and religious symbols went down in front of Jinnah who once said" I am just doing this so that GOD on the day of judemnt just said to me.Well done Jinnah" .I have never seen a person like him in subcontinent devoted to muslims in practical way. What is happening to Zakir Naik who proudly said I am indian and i enjoy much more liberty here. Well he is not allowed to come back in his proud land.He said pakistan was blunder and mistake...
In contrast Muslims in pakistan has progress much more we are nation producing thousands of enginner, doctors, accountants, scientist .We are a standing army of more than 5 lakh.We proudly stand in league of nation.We are not much strong but we are not easy to chew by anyone either it is India or someone else..Everybody knows if they come to fight or conquer us we will take them to drown in Indian ocean with us.If we will not live we will not let them live either.

Tell me where would we have been if there is no Partition ..Gulam to Hindus serving them everywhere..They were holding most of the business in KP, Punjab and Sindh they would have never allows us to flourish like they are doing to Muslims in India now.
Whoever Jinnah was his foresight for future was much better then his counterparts.

3) he existance of Pakistani state has done great damage to trade in south-central Asia. The oil and gas of Middle East was exported to the West instead of the Indian sub continent where more than 1 billion people live. The West fully supported Pakistan during the 1965 war against India and used Pakistan as an obstacle to trade between rest of the world and India. Even now Pakistan is obstacle in implementation of energy pipelines from Central Asia and Middle East citing Kashmir as an excuse . Without this senseless and fake love/hate relationship between india and Pakistan, this region would have been so much more stable and richer. Poor Kashmiris and others are paying the price for the politics of the elite. It was the muslims hords who pillaged India for gold and wealth and Hindus are evil? Even being muslim we need some honesty, defending corrupt kings and rulers is not part of defending islam.

Existence of Paksitan has done much great for us otherwise either we would have been fighting to each other or Hindus were our rulers.It defiantly hurt indian interest but India is not my concern i don't care for them.Yes kashmiris are out brother we will do whatever we can for them.Ghori didn't attack India at first. It was indian king or mahraja poking nose to him and after getting irritated he decided to get rid of them and attack them.
It is not fake hate with India .Bangladeshs existence prove that they can't bear muslims .Conditions of Muslims prove it. Attacks in paksitan prove it.
Again i care 0 for India..
By this trade only Indian aka Hindus would have been rich nothing good it had been brought to us.

4) Nobody has to leave any area but everyone has to respect the local people's law, culture, religion and language. As long as Pashtuns respect these things, Sindhis will have no problem with them. Sindhis will have problem with Muhajirs, Pashtuns and Punjabis who stripped their province of their identity for the sake of Pakistani state identity. There is a reason why the Baloch people don't want too many Punjabis, Pashtuns and other Pakistanis to come to Gawadar, they feel their identity will be under threat, their resources will be used by others and they will be outnumbered in their own province.
Baloch are singing this not first time.. I know the condition of Baloch in Iran and Afghanistan. If paksitan announce to give nationality all baloch will come to Pakistan.. In iran there is no sunni mosque for them.. They are not in government.They don't hold position in parliament and daily Iranians hanging them.For afghanistan i need not to say anything. Gawadar was purchased by Pakistan it was not part of Baluchistan to begin with.. There is a way to protect like there are more Indians in UAE, Kuwait and qatar then locals but nationals have special power this is what i suggest for gawadar and other parts in Blochistan.
Had there been no state investment gawadar was just like a fish harbor and nothing more.What Baloch has achieved from there resources ? They just want to see gold and cold getting ruined in mountains..They themselves have government where baloch are rulling and did nothing to get benefits.Most of them are subvernt to there Tribal leader.These sardars themselves lives like Prince and suddenly before election pop up " Hey they are steeling our resources hey they will loot us" and what they have done for there people ? No schooling no education no hopsitals.. Little improvement is happeing now its also because of state interference. I simple hate sardard and these leaders who call there people to support them just because they are same ethnic group..They are looting us simply.I am thankful state of Pakistan eroding there hedgmony.. I wish we get rid of these ANP and PMAP mafia they are like parasites to us. I better rule by punjabi Imran khan who is providing my generation good future.Asfandyar has just grown his empire in malaysia and nothing else.
ANP play something We are this we are that and when they were given power they prove worst to us.They are like pipe peeper want all of us to dance on there tunes and nothing else.
Thanks GOD had we been part of afghanistan we would have been fighting on the name of Tribe, cast color or ethnic. Pakistan has subdue these mafia to some extent.
These fake leader just play with our sentiments on the name of identity and culture nothing us.. No one is going to finish our identity .

5) My question is that in such a globalized world,?

Wrong the era of globalization is taking last breathes. Right wing is emerging in whole europe whether Itlay, France, UK , US or Germany.
OBOR is not making borders irrelevant .Do Chinese allowing free entry to Pakistanis or other OBOR states "NO" ..Central asian states allowing free entry to Iranians or Afghanistan ? Iran allowing Pakistan free entry or vice versa ?
Borders are becoming more relevant some are making walls , some are fencing it.These trade are just for national interests nothing else.
It is matter of survival for us to hold our pakistani identity strong to us. To put our pakistaniyat first and then ethnicity or anything else for our interest are dependent to strong pakistan.
I love pashtuns and want them to come pakistan infect i want all of them to become paksitan nationals.But then all will be decided by Pakistan as we have other heterogeneous in term of ethnic way.
I am not hyper nationalist but then i am not double standard type also.If i don't love my land my country i should leave and move towards a country that better protect me and provide opportunities.
In all terms Pakistan has done for paktuns much more then Afghanistan and any other country.
Countries whose army is weak and where ethnic nationalism hold preference then the state will get fractured and destroyed.
Afghanistan is a prime example of this.

Sorry if i say something harsh in this but i am here to communicate and for open and honest discussion to express my views..