THE Pashtuns of Pakistan have acted as the iron wall against all sorts of invasions and intrusions from across the Pak-Afghan border. Nevertheless, there have been deliberate and well-planned conspiracies going on for decades to create a wedge among this great Pakistani community. In recent years, Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) has acted as a platform to create pessimism among the Pashtun youth. Although PTM could not attract the desired number of the youth to support its cause, yet it acted as a spoiler and has misled unemployed youth for its undesired activities. Through various statements and activities, PTM created abhorrence between various communities of Pakistan and especially against the State and its institutions. As noticed since last few years, the total focus of PTM is to promote ethnic division in Pakistan through narrow-minded sub-nationalistic narratives, rather nationalistic and all-encompassing narratives. Allowing such narratives, groups and movements will encourage emergence of similar groups and movements in other provinces of Pakistan.
Indeed, the acts and activities of PTM are against the very culture and traditions of Pashtuns (Pathans). PTM is pushing the Pashtun to become an isolated and restricted community whereas traditionally, Pashtuns have strategic and wider thinking. The Pashtuns of Pakistan are legendary brave with patriotism run in their vessels like blood. They are honest, hospitable and highly resolute; physically, morally and mentally. Edward E. Oliver while describing these marvellous people in his famous book, “Across the Border Or Pathan and Baloch” says; “The Pathan is undoubtedly brave to rashness, sets no value upon life, either his own or anyone else’s. Trained from youth to feats of strength, endowed with wonderful power of endurance, he commands the most Englishmen”. Hon Mount Stuart Elphinstone, wrote, “The Pathans are fond of liberty, faithful to their friends, kind to their dependents, hospitable, brave, hardy, frugal, laborious and prudent”. Hon Mountstuart Elphinstone FRSE was a Scottish statesman and historian, associated with the Government of British India.
In their history, Pashtuns endured all sorts of wars, conflicts and conspiracies boldly, collectively and with integrity and high esteem. They refused to surrender in front of Tsarist Russia, the British Military Might, the Russian invasion and American imperialism. Apart from battling against the contesting powers of the historical Great Game of 19th Century, the Pashtuns of Pakistan resisted the Soviet invasion into Pakistan from 1979 to 1989. Not only that, but, they get the credit of hosting millions of Afghan refugees, following the Soviet invasion in neighbouring Afghanistan. In 21st century, these daring sons of soil, acted as the iron wall against the infiltration of the US and NATO forces from Afghan soil into Pakistani territory. They also act as a barricade against the infiltration of terrorists from Afghanistan into Pakistan after the military operations; “Rah-e-Nijat”, “Rah e Rasat” and “Zarb-e-Azb”.
Perpetual civil wars and foreign invasions in Afghanistan badly affected the state and society of Pakistan. However, the worst affected areas of Pakistan are those bordering Pak-Afghan border, inhabited by the Pashtuns. These traditionally resilient people lost on many aspects; the social, political and economic. Their traditional social structure, the customs, traditions, the tribal ethics, hospitality and, above all, a unity in diversity was severely ruined. In the process of continuous acquiescence, they lost political standing on many aspects. This socio-political volatility paved the grounds for economic dilapidation of this entire Pashtun belt. While resisting the US-engineered global war on terror, where there has been sufferance of entire Pakistan, Pashtuns suffered the most, mainly due to bordering Afghanistan. Apart from socio-economic losses, there have been unprecedented human losses, of these legendary people. These included men, women, youths and, above all, a vast majority of intellectual class, who dared to say ‘No’ to the ideology of terrorists.
A unique peculiarity, which has been specific to Pashtuns of Pakistan is that they faced all difficulties, all losses and the worst challenges, but never uttered a single word against their motherland, the state of Pakistan and its institutions. This is the patriotism, loyalty and love of Pashtuns with their motherland. This is reflective of their strength, endurance and determination towards Pakistan, despite remaining under shadow of bullets and explosives for decades now. In these prolonged years, they suffered a lot, but, withstood the difficulties. An American general who participated US military campaigns in Afghanistan during the so-called war on terror said, “We are fighting a meaningless war against the Rocks.” Truly Pathans are stronger than rocks. Earlier, a Russian general who served in Afghanistan during the decade of 1980s, said, “Pathan are the most brave people ever born on earth. These people cannot be defeated by force.”
Whereas the entire Pakistani nation gets the credit of winning of war against terrorism, nevertheless, the chivalry of the Pashtuns and the courageous armed forces of Pakistan have played an unprecedented role. Indeed, they have been paramount strength and helped defence forces of Pakistan in all respects in all major military operations against terrorists. It is a time to reap the fruit of this great victory, which was never insightful a decade ago. Therefore, let’s not get into a trap of the foes, who know that Pashtuns cannot be defeated by force. The great and brave Pashtuns should not be misled by Manzoor Pashtun and his Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM). There was no requirement of such movements at a time, once Pashtuns of former FATA region are in the process of reconstruction and development. Such movements and acts will undermine the unprecedented sacrifices of the Pashtuns which they will never allow.
As a nation let’s reject all ethnic and sub-nationalist movements by promoting unity in diversity. The youth of Pakistan must be guided to play a constructive and progressive role, rather making them tools of hatred and cynicism. Let’s be a proud nation and defeat all sorts of regional and international conspiracies against Pakistan. The state and Government must create job opportunities for the youth and devise mechanism to engage them in constructive nationalistic dialogues.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
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