A sorrowful journey to Quetta where we lost Idrees Kaml, a peace activist and a human rights defender

Reported by Zar Ali Khan Afridi It was June 6, 2013 that Idrees Kamal called me through his cell asking for accompanying him to Quetta where Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch President National Party was going to take over as the Chief Minister of Baluchistan which is the largest province and is about 43% of total Pakistan. It was about 8.pm and I had just returned from Islamabad to Peshawar towards my home from a consultation of National Democratic Institute (NDI) Islamabad where we attended a meeting on FATA. I replied Idrees kamal that I would tell him tomorrow whither I would be available or not because my children were suffering from illness and I wanted to take them to either hospital or some nearby doctors to treat them properly. But Idrees Kamal was not a person who could hear me. He insisted that I would accompany him. I at last said to him, Yes,. I would accompany him. Hearing it he was so delighted that his joys knew no bound. When it was morning next day June 7, 2013 I came first to my office in Deans Trade Center Peshawar and asked him that they should pick me up from my office instead of home. In my office I had to send an important report to NDI about elections 2013 NA-47. It was about 9 AM that a call came from Idrees kamal to come out of the office and they were near with Deans Trade center and within 6 minutes they would be there. I immediately shut down my computer and came down from my office and waited for about 3 to 4 minutes. A new 2D car suddenly appeared and Idrees Kamal was looking for me from window of vehicle. As I saw him I ran quickly towards him asking him that you people are only three along with driver Usman who was not known to me. He was a driver of rent a car and he was only having acquaintance with Idrees Kamal. Nazeef Khan a well known progressive nationalist politician from Hashtnagar Charsadda was also present in car. Nazeef Khan is General Secretary of National Party Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Upon seeing me Nazeef Khan was pleased very much and laughed. He welcomed me whole heartedly. I was also very much happy over the political and social activists like Idrees Kamal and Nazeef Khan. I asked him Idrees that Waqas was conspicuous by his absence. He replied that waqas was busy in taking his examination. Therefore he was restricted to go to Quetta. Waqas is from Buner and a student leader of Democratic Students Federation an affiliated body of National Party. We proceeded on our journey towards Kohat Road gossiping about other friends who were not there. Idrees had promised that he would engage some bigger vehicle to accommodate more and more friends and to take them to Quetta for oath taking ceremony of Dr. Malik CM Baluchistan. At Scheme chowk on Kohat Road Idrees bought few newspapers. We were reading them on the way and were discussing various social and ongoing political situations. As we came closer to Zangali(An area near FR Kohat), Idrees said that some hybrid melons were needed to purchase. We purchased hybrid melons and again proceeded. At one moment driver demanded for oil. We stayed at some petrol pump nearby. There Idrees bought peach juices for all of us. We enjoyed them very much. In Karak we stopped for a cup of tea and driver had to fill his CNG kit there. We had a cup of tea there and asked driver to leave the pump as there was a large queue of vehicle and we were getting late. Therefore we started our journey once again. When we reached DI Khan near by pass we filled the car with petrol and started going on by pass instead of main DIK where there was a lot of rush. So we avoided it because we knew that we had a great distance to cover. When we reached Drazinda FR DI Khan, a tribal region of FATA there my friend Atlas Khan sherani was waiting for us to receive us. He took us to his home where he served us with tea and chickens. Nazeef Khan demanded for bread. Atlas Khan brought it at once. When we had about one hour there again we proceeded on the condition that on way back we would again come to sherani and would have a night there. In FR DIK once again Idrees purchased water and juices for us. It was about 3 PM that we reached to Kohi Suleman. There we wanted to observe the rocks closely. I said to them that the same rocks were more than 60 millions of age. Because they were Paleozoic and its age was round about. It was like a geological museum. Idrees Kamal took mine and Nazeef Khan several pictures with rocks which had good strikes and dips. I asked him to post them on face book which was his dearest social media tool. Though I was the first one who taught Idrees Kamal about face book and latter he was so conversant with it that I was left several kilometers behind. When we reached Zhob a Pashtun dominated district of Baluchistan it was about 7 PM. There I insisted that we would go to the house of Sain Kamal Khan (Late) to offer condolence to his sons but Idrees Kamal flatly rejected it saying that they were already late. Nazeef Khan also agreed to what I was saying. Sain Kamal Khan was a Pashtun political intellectual and a leader of Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami party of Mehmood Khan Achakzai. In Zhob we bought apricots and we ate them almost all. The payment was done by Idrees Kamal. In main city of Zhob we waited for Obaidullah Mandokhel whose Brother Farooq Mandokhel came to road to receive us. We went to their home where we had dinner and breakfast next day. Obaidullah Mandokhel is the son of late Pashtun political leader Mira Khan mndokhel. In Zhob city we went around the city and also visited fort sendamen. Idrees Kamal also took a picture of fort sendamen where he found that two deputy commissioners were sitting in same place. Deputy Commissioner of district Zhob and Deputy Commissioner of Sherani. I forbade him about the sensitivity of the area but even then he took photographs. There in Zhob we met Noor Muhammad Mandokhel and his other friends. We had a cup of tea with them. We enjoyed their political discussion. Noor Muhammad Mandokhel and Obaidullah Mandokhel are the friends of Altaf Bacha a political activist and a leader of National Party from Shahi Bala Peshawar. I got acquaintance with them through Idrees Kamal and Altaf Bacha. Noor Muhammaf frequently comes to Peshawar and spends many night s and days with Altaf Bacha. During his stay he meets many friends and discusses politics with them. He is a nice man. After spending one night in Zhob we proceeded towards Quetta in morning. Now Obaidulla Mandokhel also accompanied us. In car now we were three persons sitting in back seat while Idrees Kamal was in front seat along with driver Usman. Idrees Kamal was sitting in front seat in whole journey. On the way towards Quetta Obaidullah Mandokhel helped us showing different places. When we reached Qilla Saifullah There we had a cup of tea because we were very much tired. After taking tea again our driver sped his car. In main City of Qilla Saifuulah Idrees noticed a person names Khan Zaman Kakar who is a well known pashtun intellectual and writer. I did not remember that person but Idrees wanted to meet him and I also asked driver to stop so that we could meet Khan Zaman kakar. He was very much enthusiastic to see us in Qilla Saifullah.. He knew me but I was unable to recognize him soon. Latter on I knew him. There was a hot discussion between Nazeef Khan and Idrees Kamal on all the way about the plain areas coming in front of us. Idrees used to say that it would be looking very beautiful if the government had developed the area and built posh and modern colonies equipped with electricity, gas and other facilities like education and health for the welfare of the people while Nazeef Khan had a different version and used to say that it would be better if the government had made this area cultivable after digging canals and streams for the farmers to irrigate these plains. People could get grain, fodder and crops for them and their cattle, remarked Nazeef Khan in response to what Idrees said. After travelling a long distance at last we reached Kuchlok a town of Quetta. I do not remember the exact time but hopefully it was round about 6 PM. Idrees Kamal contacted Jan Muhammad Buledi a central leader of National Party and we straightly went to MPA hostel in Quetta. There we had a lunch and took some rest. Idrees Kamal went to Provincial Assembly of Baluchistan where Dr. malik was submitting his nomination papers for chief Minister of Baluchistan. Dr Malik received Idrees warmly and idrees was very much happy over this treatment. Latter on we were taken to Islamabad Hotel situated on Jinnah Road Quetta. It was a good hotel. There we had tea and then dinner. On Jinnah road we all roamed for some time and soon Obaidullah Mandokhel took us to a café on Jinnah Road where we found so many political activists sitting and sipping tea and were discussing political situations. We met a political figure of Quetta namely Ali Baran. He is General Secretary of Pakistan Peoples Party and a member of central committee of PPP. He discussed many things with us concerning politics. Idrees Kamal and Nazeef Khan were not satisfied with this person. They wanted to avoid him. I liked him very much because he was a political worker. He was wearing a turban and sporting a long grey beard. He was very well versed in politics. Once again we came back to hotel and had a dinner there. Next day we went to Provincial Assembly where we attended vote of confidence session of members of provincial assembly. Chief Minister Dr. Malik addressed to his members and thanked them. It was a long session and almost all members had to talk because it was mandatory that all members would address provincial assembly. All my other friends had seats except me and I was fortunate enough that I got a place for standing in visitors’ gallery. Idrees was looking for me and at last he found me out and shook the hand to come to him. I got the place between Nazeef Khan and Idress Kamal. There was a great rush and people were not feeling easy due to weather condition. Idrees demanded for water but no one had water. Then he said to me that he was going out to bring water. When he did not come soon then I also went out of the assembly and went to MPA hostel where I found Idrees and driver Usman having lunch together. I also approached them and sat down with them started eating meal with them from same plate which was placing before them. In few moments Obaidullah Mandokhel, His brother Dr Afrasiyab Mandokhel who is a student of final year in Bolan Medical College Quetta along with Nazeef Khan also came to MPA hostel canteen. Idrees asked waiter to bring some salad to him but he refused saying that salad was no more available there in canteen. Obaidullah Mandokhel went to canteen and brought a plate full of salad. They all enjoyed it. Idrees said some murmuring with him then laughed. Probably he was angry with canteen management who had refused salad to him. After lunch we went back to Islamabad hotel and took some rest there. Idrees did enjoy little nap. When he got up he was very much fresh. We went to MPA hostel once again because we had to participate in oath taking ceremony of Chief Minister. It was about 6 PM that we went to Governor House situated on Zarghun Road Quetta. Vehicles were not allowed to Governor House that’s why we went there on foot and it was also a walking distance. We talked at length all the way. At governor house there was a great rush of dignitaries. There was also warmth. We sat in shadow of the building of governor House. In few moments Governor Baluchistan Nawab Zulfiqar Magsi along with Dr. Malik appeared and administered oath of chief Minister to CM Dr. Malik Baloch. Idrees was very busy in taking photographs of the entire events. At one time he called me to go near towards the tables where tea and some sweets were ready for guests. I went there along with him. I took simple tea without sugar and a piece of Rasgula but I felt some head ach suddenly when I had eaten half of it. Idrees took so many things and ate them all. Idrees called me to come closer to doctor Malik and he took a photo of mine with him. Then Nazeef Khan was called and he took his pictures with newly elected CM. In governor house he took our so many pictures. He also met there with Kazim Niaz home secretary Baluchistan and Zahir Shah Toru a leader of PPP and brother of Ihtisham Toru a journalist in Peshawar and a close friend of Idrees Kamal. In Governor House we met Raza Mohammad Raza who is a central leader of Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party. Nazeef Khan exchanged with him political views. We also met Inayatuulah Babat a member of Baluchistan Assembly and a leader of PMAP. Idrees Kamal took some of our pictures in Governor House Baluchistan and then it was getting little dark so we left the Governor House. Dr Malik had also asked Idrees Kamal not to go back soon to Peshawar. He was going to joint session of parliament in Islamabad and will meet you after tomorrow, Dr. Malik asked Idrees Kamal. Idrees and his delegation comprising Nazeef Khan, Zar Ali Khan, Obaidullah Mandokhel and his brother Dr. Afrasiab Mandokhel left governor house for MPA hostel. I along with Afraisiab Mandokhel and Obaidullah Mandokhel sat on lawn out side of MPA hostel while Idrees Kamal and Nazeef Khan went straight to hostel. After some time I received an SMS from him to come to room No.117 (If I am not wrong). We were reluctant to go to hostel because lawn was very pleasant and other friends were also not in favor of room. But I insisted on Obaidullah Mandokhel to go there. As we reached the room. It was very cold. I sat there for a while and there was a hot discussion on Pashto literature. I enjoyed it for a while but I felt some head ach and due to air-condition. I went to a side room and lay there on a bed. I was watching TV there and soon a cook came and asked me if I wanted a cup of green tea. I said to him that I needed it and I drank it. I asked Idrees Kamal to go back to hotel as we were tired. He said for a little wait. Soon a person of his party came and we went out of his room and drove towards hotel, Islamabad situated on Jinna Road. It was about 8.PM. We were hungry as well. I along with Nazeef Khan and Obaidullah khan sat for a while in my room and Idrees kamal sent a hotel boy to bring some ice for us because hotel had not the facility. Idrees Kamal went to his room and soon we joined again to have dinner. Here we again started discussion and I said to participants that idrees Kamal is a person who gave us this tour. He is sole Pashtun who worked day and night for promotion of peace and development on soil of Pashtun. Idrees was looking towards me seemed obliged because I could guess his eyes. He was feeling some inner pleasure by hearing what I was saying. On one moment Nazeef Khan said to me Friend you praised of Idrees Kamal very much and he deserved it. We ate together and after some time we went to our own rooms. It was about 10.30 PM. Obaidullah Mandokhel was my room mate while Nazeef Khan had another room. Idrees and his driver Usman were sharing one room. Early next morning Idrees Kamal knocked at my door and asked for getting up. I replied that it was off and wanted to have a rest. He again came to our room and said get up as we were getting late to go for a fateha of one of his friends deceased nephew in Kuchlak near Quetta. Meanwhile Ali Baran a friend of Obaidullah Khan also came to our room and I offered him breakfast. Soon Nazeef Khan appeared and started political discussion with Ali Baran. Idrees Kamal and Nazeef Khan had breakfasts in their respective rooms. All friends were healthy and sound. Idrees once again insisted to get hurry because they were getting late for Kuchlak. When we all were coming down on stairs we all looked in mirrors and happily came down. In entrance Idrees asked obaidullah that they have not got CNIC from the hotel management and so he went once again to hotel reception and brought his own and obaidullah CNIC from hotel management. Some one had parked his car near our car and it was not possible for us to get out. We all got angry over the foolishness of driver but Idrees was looking at us silently and smiling. Soon owner of the car appeared and we all talked angrily to him but Idrees said nothing to him. Idrees sat on the front seat while I, Obaidullah khan, Nazeef Khan and Ali Baran sat in rear. We started moving towards the Kuchlak. When we reached kuchlak we noticed that there was a scarcity of irrigation water and trees of different fruits seemed dry. We were very much disturbed over this condition. As we reached near the house of Amanullah Kansi where we had to offer Fatiha Idrees asked that he was feeling little indisposed of and said to driver stop, stop. Driver stopped car and he along with driver, and Nazeef Khan went out of it. He made some vomiting there and soon came back saying that he was not feeling well. Latter I was informed by Nazeef Khan that he and driver helped Idrees lifting his left leg to the car. In five minutes we reached the house of Kansi. He came out of the car confidently. We offered Fatiha there. About 20 persons were sitting there. Amanullah Kansi offered us some juice which we all drank and when he served it Idrees he rejected offer and said he needed water instead. Kansi asked Idrees, if he was feeling well. Idrees replied in negative saying that he was indisposed of. Soon he asked me to take him to an open place in room where he wanted to sleep. I took him with support and I was astonished as to what had happened to him. He asked me for more water which I served to him. I asked him friend do you have high or low blood pressure. He said that he was patient of high blood pressure. He demanded me to press his head. He was complaining that his right forehead was breaking. Then he asked help for wash room. I supported him to wash room in very bad condition. I asked him to help himself to stand up which he tried but could not. He tilted on one side and then on other. Then I lifted him from back and took him to bathroom. There he vomited as well as made urine and bowl. I cried to the driver to come immediately who came at once. Other people were looking but were not coming to bath room. I started washing his body and at one time laughed at him and said friend that your wife might have fled away to serve you. Upon hearing this he smiled little bit and nodded. Then I helped him putting on clean clothes which we got from the owner of the house. Now a local doctor was standing there who immediately started drop to Idrees Kamal. Soon we realized that he should be taken to a hospital. We brought him to Civil Hospital on Jinnah road. Where doctor advised us for a CT SCAN. We immediately took him to CT SCAN center which unfortunately was not available in hospital. Soon I informed Said Mukhtar Bacha President National Party Pashtunkhwa about his condition. His brothers were also informed. I tried to contact his brother Taimur Iqbal but his cell could not be contacted. I tried to contact Danyal A close relative of Idrees Kamal but his phone was also off. I wanted to put Idrees on line with them because at this time he could talk. In CT SCAN report we were informed that there was a slight brain hemorrhage and his one side was paralyzed. Hearing this as a heaven fell on our shoulders. Doctors advised not to take him any where because next 48 hours were important for him. Movement for him was harmful, said the doctors present in ICU of neuro surgery. Blood was also tested and results were negative. In hospital Amanullah Khan Kansi, Jan Mohammad Buledi spokesman Chief Minister Baluchistan, Ali Baran, Obaidullah Mandokhle , local doctor of Amanullah Kansi village(Name forgotten) and many friends of National party and development sector were present. I shuttled between hospital and medicine stores. Soon I contacted Dr. Ali Haider a neuro surgeon and our close friend in Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar who talked at length on phone with a lady doctor present in ICU. When I said what I had observed to doctor Ali Haider he immediately replied that Idrees was paralyzed. He was very sorry for him and said that he had advised him prevention but he did not act upon his advice and that’s why he suffered today. Soon I realized that his condition was not good. He took a long sigh and said good bye to this mortal world leaving all his wishes and aspirations behind. Soon I got a call from Shazia Anjum widow of Idrees Kamal on Idrees Kamal cell and asked me as to how Idrees Kamal was feeling. I composed my self and said confidently that he would be all right in few moments. She asked me to bring her spouse alive for her but alas by the time he had left this world with so many wishes taking along with him to hereafter. I am sorry for a lie which I told Shazia Anjum widow of Idrees Kamal. Shazia your Idrees was no more in this world when you called me to bring him alive for you and your children. Once again I am sorry for not bringing your husband alive for you. This saddest news of a peace activist of not less than the caliber of Idrees Kamal spread like a jungle fire. I contacted Arshad Haroon regional Head of SPO-Peshawar who posted it on face book a social media very valued by Idrees kamal. Mukhtar Bacha and brothers of Idrees Kamal were also informed. Ayaz Mandokhel was informed who came from Khuzdar where he is a sitting Deputy Commissioner. He came along with his vehicle and escort. He came along with coffin to Peshawar by road which was very rocky and difficult but brought the body of Idrees Kamal to his village at about 12.00 noon due to a great rush on Kohat Road near Zangalay. On same day Idrees was buried in his ancestral graveyard along with his father and other relatives. May Almighty Allah Bless his soul and rest him in peace. Note: Ayaz Mandokhel Deputy Commissioner Khuzdar and a close friend of Idrees Kamal, His brother Niamatullah Khan Mandokhel, Obaidullah Khan Mandokhle, Nazeef Khan GS NP Pashtunkhwa, Dr. Afrasiab Mandokhle, Qadir Khan Mandokhel, A close friend of Ayaz Mandokhel and an officer in Local government in Quetta, Ali Baran, Amanullah Khan Kansi, His doctor, Dr. Ishaq Baloch, Jan Mohammad Buledi spokesman Chef Minister Baluchistan, Tehseenullah(Chief Executive Sap-PK), Arshad Haroon Regional Head SPO-Peshawar(Both sent their teams to hospital and asked for their assistance, Dr Ali Haider Neoro surgeon LRH Peshawar, Usman Driver of the car which took us to Quetta, Eidhi Welfare Foundation, National Party and many other individuals who helped us during our ordeal in Quetta. We are thankful to all of them. We are also grateful to all those who contacted me and my other friends and offered their condolences regarding the departure of Idrees Kamal. Regards Zar Ali Khan Afridi Executive Director Society for Rights and Development Chairman Tribal NGOs Consortium FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan) SF-118, Deans Trade Center, Peshawar Cantt, KPK-Pakistan+92-91-3015963337 tncfata@gmail.com

Reads on: http://www.viewpointonline.net/fundamentalism-a-pashtun-culture.html

Fundamentalism & Pashtun culture
By Zar Ali Khan

It was the decade of 80s when the fundamentalist religious Islamist forces of Pakistan with strong support of the out side world including Saudia Arabis and Arab world launched so called Jehad(Unholy War) against erstwhile USSR forces who had entered into Afghanistan. The Mullah(Religious clerics) of Afghanistan were divided into 7 different groups by ISI. It was the era of Jihadi minded former dictator General Zia ul Haq of Pakistan Army who needed support of out side world to substantiate his unlawful control over his rule. He was lucky enough and meantime Afghan war started and for this purpose his support was also needed to world. International community for some greater cause closed eyes and let this man continue as dictator. Dictator Zia did not leave no stone unturned to hit the secular, progressive and democratic people of Pakistan. During his time religious Islamists were given free hand to get money from Saudia Arabia and other Muslim countries and started building mosques and religious seminaries in every nook and corner of Pakistan. Special focus was given to Pashtun areas and tribal belt where myriad numbers of the mosques and Madrassa were built. Students were encouraged to get admissions in such Madrassa and learnt lessons regarding unholy war. At same time such Madrassa were built in Punjab province as well. South Punjab was the ideal place for the establishment of Pakistan from where they could easily get people for war in Afghanistan. When former USSR forces were pulled out from Afghanistan in 1989 Pakistan ISI directed many Jihadi organizations of Pakistan to go to Kashmir and fight there against the Indian forces. Mureedki in Lahore, the metropolitan city of Punjab province was the center of Lashkar Tayyaba, a terrorist organization fighting in India and now in Afghanistan against the allied and Afghan forces. This organization is fully supported by Pakistan intelligence Agencies and is used for the subversive activities in India. Besides there are organizations like Tableeghi Jumat(Religious Preachers) whose center is situated in Lahore also. The main focus of this Jumat is on Pashtun. 17 retired generals/Officers of Pakistan ISI are sitting in this center and encourage the people to get ready for preaching in Pakistan and world. According to some sources more than 6 million Pashtun are attached with this Jumat. Similarly more number of Punjabis are also working in this organization. Apparently these people are peace loving and do not believe in fighting. But their continued preaching makes them fundamentalists and start talking of Jihad in their groups and discussion. There are other organizations who hire people for their nefarious designs. Tableeghi Jumat is opposed to the Pashtun culture and is busy working against the culture of Pashtun. They are promoting Arabization, an Arab culture on the name of religion Islam. They do not like Pashtun names and name their near and dear as Arabis. These religious people have entered into each and every pashtun house under a conspiracy of Pakistani establishment and ISI. These people are also against music and dub musicians as infidals and enemies of God. When in 2002 MMA a religious alliance of Pakistan religious Organizations won election and their government was formed in province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa they announced a ban on all cultural activities and the centers of culture were closed. In Peshawar a famous cultural center Dabgari was closed and Artists were ordered to either leave the profession or go abroad. The profession of culture was declared as unholy and unIslamic. Many secular and progressive people started hue and cry against it but to no avail. This scribe was among those who raised voice against the atrocities of religious people. Culture plays an important role in promotion of peace. Our region needs peace and artists can play role in peace promotion but in this area artists are discouraged. They are frightened and their families are forced to pressure the artists to leave the profession. Many artists of Pashtu language were forced either to leave country or go to Tableegh. Mangal Bagh a terrorist commander has arrested many singers of Pashto language and has sent them to Islamic preaching. Those who do not obey his order is persecuted and punished. Many women singers were arrested and killed by their own relatives and Islamist terrorists. In 2009 a famous singer in Swat was assassinated by Taliab. Similarly in Peshawar Aiman Odas was killed. The land has become very close over the artists in Pakhtunkhwa and FATA. On other side the life of artists has also turned strained for them. Their livelihood and earning issues have forced them to leave the profession. Only and only the peace could be promoted by promotion of culture and artists, singers can play the role. Zia the former dictator was the first man who worked against the peace and sowed the seed of enmity among people. His disciples in Tableeghi Jumat and all religious organizations are busy to discourage culture and people attached with culture. This is the reason we see an unrest in our area and the focus of Jihadi organizations is on dismantling of the cultural activities and promotion of Arabization which against peace and prosperity in Pashtun areas.

Amn Tehrik staged a protest against demolition of schools and suicide attacks

Peshawar( ) Amn Tehrik staged a protest in front of Peshawar Press Club to denounce explosions and suicide attacks on worship places, shrines, Hujras, public places and schools by extremist. The protest was led by Zar ali khan musazai central member steering committee Amn Tehrik and was participated by Tariq Afghan, Said Mukhtar Bacha, Shahb Khattak Advocate, Muhammad Jan Gagyani Advocate, Manzoor Afridi General Secretary Tribal NGOs Consortium, Danyal Talib a student leader of Peoples students Federation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Niaz Muhammad Zakhakkhel, President National Party FATA, Khan Habib Afridi President FATA Democratic Movement, Arbab Mir Afzal Khan of Azad Pakhtun Students Federation, Usman, Taimur Iqbal, Shahabuddin Senior Program Officer Action Aid Pakistan, Naveed Iqbal, Ijaz Afridi, Shamim Shahid President Peshawar Press Club and a large number of activists of political parties and civil society organizations.

On this occasion, Tariq Afghan a leader of Azad Pakhtun Students Federation said to the participants of demonstration that students have been suffering from menace of extremism, terrorism and military operations in FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Education institutions are demolished and targeted which is a great loss to our people. This process should immediately be stopped and government is responsible to protect our education institutions and schools from menace of terrorism. Students are deprived of the basic right which is called education. When schools are bombed then where students will get education from? He posed question. He also lamented on lingering problems of the students at schools, college and university level. He demanded of the government to exempt fee of all suffered students and facilities be provided to them in admissions and other expenses. He demanded that 20% more fund from Kerry Lugar bill should be spent on education institutions and students of Pakhtunkhwa province and FATA. Tariq Afghan also demanded for the release of Mr. Muhammad Ajmal VC Islamia College University Peshawar . Zar ali khan musazai President Pakhtun Democratic Council and a central leader of peace movement said in his protesting address to people in demonstration that mosques, schools and other public places are hit by terrorists which is shocking. He deplored the incidents of Darra Adam Khel and Sulaiman khel of Badaber where innocent people were targeted by terrorists in mosque at time they were offering prayers last Friday. He demanded of compensation for affected people and urged government to stop terrorists to refrain from heinous crimes against innocent people of FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He flayed that despite several years of military operation FATA was not cleared which is an irresponsible attitude on the part of government and security agencies. Manzoor Afridi General Secretary of TNC in his address said that government should take drastic steps to save the future of our nation. The situations indicate that the country is going to be lost.
Danyal Talib in his address said that Amn Tehrik is one of the best plate forms where problems of people could be discussed and issues be raised. He appreciated its leadership and all those affiliated with it. He also demanded for the solution of the problems c concerning to students and general public.

Reported BY
Zar ali khan musazai
Member Steering Committee
Amn Tehrik
0301-5963337

Pashtun Democratic Council condoles death of Sayeen Kamal Khan

Pashtun Democratic Council


Pashtun Democratic Council condoles death of Sayeen Kamal Khan


Chairman Pashtun Democratic Council Zar ali khan musazai has expressed his heartfelt grief and sorrow over the death of Sayeen Kamal Khan Sherani. He said that Sayeen Kamal Khan Sherani did his best for his people and remained a political worker till the end of his life. His services for his people will be remembered for a long time to come. He expressed his condolence with his family, kin and kith, well wishers and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party. He also prayed for the departed soul to rest him in peace and give courage to all his relatives and friends to bear this irreparable loss with boldness and steadfastness. Ameen

Issued by
Pashtun Democratic Council
Peshawar-Pakhtunkhwa
+92-3015963337
musazai1975@gmail.com

Pashtun Democratic Council strongly condemns assassination of Habib Jalib Baloch

Chairman Pashtun Democratic Council Zar ali Khan musazai has strongly condemned the assassination of Habib Jalib Baloch Central Secretary General Balochistan National Party. The assassination of Jalib proved that Baloch have been alienated and were kept deprived of their rights over their resources and home. Those who raise the issue then his/her voice is silenced by the establishment of Pakistan. The establishment is not tired saying that Pakistan was made on the name of religion which was and still is wrong. The nations can not be formed on the name of the religion. In Pakistan such hollow and deceptive slogans are heard which I personally conceive will not help keep this country intact. When a state turns ruthless against its people then stability and peace could never be seen in real meaning. Bengalis had made this country but today they are no more part of this country and are having an independent state with their own name. Bengalis were treated ill. Their political and intellectual people were ruthlessly assassinated and Muslim women were disgraced by the so called champions of Islam. The rulers and establishment of this ill fated country did not learn lesson from the past and today Baloch and Pakhtun are also treated ill. Tyranny can not be endured for a long time and ultimately the Baloch people will be triumphant and the establishment will be loser. This country was made on the resolution of 1940, which is celebrated every year with fervor and enthusiasm but do not accept what the resolution tells them. When Baloch want either freedom or complete autonomy of Balochistan then what is wrong there as this has already been mentioned in resolution of 1940. What type of the state is it that on one side it is busy killing Pakhtun for the crimes it has committed itself and is doing till today and on other Baloch have been occupied and are being killed by the state agencies which is condemnable.
Pakhtun Democratic Council condemns the killing of Habib Jalib once again and expresses its sympathy with the family of deceased, his party workers and all Baloch people and nation.


Issued by
Zar Ali Khan musazai
Chairman
Pashtun Democratic Council
Peshawar-Pakhtunkhwa
www.pashtundemocraticcouncil@gmail.com
+92-91-3015963337

PDC condemns suicide attack in Mahmand Agency,FATA

We were shocked to hear the sad news of the gory suicide incident in Mahmand Agency, FATA in which more than 50 innocent people were martyred and more than 80 were severely wounded. FATA and its people have been suffering for the last many years and especially after 2001 when the extremism and terrorism took the area into its grip and made the people of FATA forced to either migrate to comparatively safer areas of the province or had to live on the terms and conditions of the militants and military alike.
The recent report of the Amnesty International is an eye opener in which it was clearly stated that more than 4 million innocent tribal people are hostage to the militants and military alike. People of the FATA are living as IDPs and they have no basic amenities for the life. Recently about 40 thousands people were forced to leave the area in FR Peshawar by the apparently militants. The stories of the trouble and agony of the people in FR-Peshawar were published in various newspapers and were highlighted in media but still to no avail.
PDC condemns the suicide incident in Mahmand Agency once again and demands of the government and other human rights organizations to do some thing positive and practical to save the people of FATA from such inhuman and barbaric acts.

Regards
Zar ali khan
Chairman
Pakhtun Democratic Council
Peshawar
pashtundemocraticcouncil@gmail.com
+923015963337

Amnesty International and FATA

By Zar Ali Khan Musazai

In a recent Report issued by Amnesty International regarding Human Rights situations in FATA concern was shown that nearly 4 million people in FATA live under Taliban rule where they suffer human rights abuses from both militants and the Pakistani Army.
As if Hell Fell on ME, a report based on interviews with nearly 300 people, says millions live in a, human rights free zone, where militants torture and kill women aid workers and men without beards. Pakistani soldiers have also committed serious violations, including indiscriminate artillery fire and extrajudicial executions, as the army swept across the tribal belt over the past year, the report said.
FATA is a buffer between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Pakistan termed it its geography but till this very day since its creation in 1947, she has done no good to this part of the world.
Political freedom has been closed for the people of this area. Political parties act has not been yet extended to FATA. On Aug. 14, 2009 incumbent President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari announced abolition of FCR and extension of Political Parties Act but soon retreated back for the known reasons pressurized by military establishment not to dare intervene into the affairs of FATA.
As for as we know, there are reasons for pushing FATA into hell, the foremost is that area in question is still not having any constitutional status as to whose part is it? The second is that Pakistani establishment has been in its control to use it against Afghanistan and to take into hands who rules the Kabul. People at helm of affairs in Islamabad have no interest in those living in FATA (Native People of FATA) rather they have their own interest in FATA. We see that FATA has been used for the terrorism for the last nearly 30 years. Religious extremism was promoted by the establishment. Seminaries were constructed and people were encouraged to participate. Politics was termed as a forbidden flower for the people of FATA. They were told that they were different from those living both sides of them. But actually people who at their west and east are of the same ethnicity, Pashtun. They were also told that they were more brave and courageous than others and they had a unique culture. Many a times they were presented as the soldiers having no formal salary out of the national kitty which is supposed to be filled by the alms getting on the very name of tribal people. Actually people of FATA have never been antagonistic to any country or people. They have always remained as peaceful and secular people. In Tirah valley of Khyber Agency so many people are living who are Sikh, by religion. More than 30 thousands Christians have been also residing in FATA but there has never been an incident of killing, abducting or abusing each other. They have all rights what a tribesman and woman have except some what the FCR has taken from them. This is an excellent example of tolerance and secularism. People in Tirah go to the funeral prayers of their sikh brethren and have a good relation ship and no one counts him or her as alien. They have never scorned at them for being different from what they practice. Now we have to come to the facts as to what are the reasons that turned the situations sour. Due to an area like a black hole having no know how about politics and political parties’ presence the religious extremism was promoted and encouraged by the state sponsored agencies for the reasons already mentioned above. Political Agent was imposed on them to decide about their future. Militants from across the world and Punjab were invited by establishment to FATA and a farce like situations was developed in which several actors have been performing their respective acts. Militants were handed over the guns and weapons while on other players started getting fund from international community to apparently wipe out terrorists. In this whole drama the marginalized people of FATA has no role. They and their land are just used for the stage and getting money. Pakistani establishment is a fund starved one and would be using all means and tactics to get the dollars to fill the pockets and have an occasion to loot and plunder with both hands and the recent report of Transparency International also supported our view.
The report of Amnesty International should open the eyes of international community giving fund to the cheaters and robbers on the heads of tribal and FATA. People are hostage and they have been terrorized to the extent that no one in FATA could dare to discuss this issue and go to the bottom of the awful tale of the FATA residents. Most of the tribal have left for comparatively safer places to take shelter. Those who are still there are at the mercy of terrorists and military alike. More than 50000 innocent tribesmen and women were sacrificed for the sin they had not committed. About 3500 pro peace political people, tribal Malakan and influential were ruthlessly beheaded and assassinated Fund is coming and drowned the drain. Neither terrorism was wiped out nor did miseries of people come to an end.
Now it is the responsibility of the Pakistan government to do something for the betterment of the people in FATA because it has been getting the fund on its name but no one knows where it goes.

(The writer is a social and political worker and currently is Chairman Tribal NGOs Consortium, FATA and can be reached at email tncfata@gmail.com, www.tncfata.blogspot.com , + 92-3015963337)

Incident of times Square and future of the region

Incident of Times Square and future of the region
By Zar ali khan musazai

Faisal Shehzad has admitted that he was a criminal and terrorist who wanted to explode the innocent American people at Time square, New York, USA. He belonged to Mohib Banda, a village situated at the west of district Nowshera adjacent to Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pukhtunkhawa. His family members and especially the former Nazim (Mayer of village) and a known political man who was associated with left politics during his student life Faiz Mohammad said that the Faisal had some changes for the last some time. The boy seemed to have developed relationship with the terrorist groups in Pakistan some where in Karachi and Nowshera. There are reports that the terrorist Shahzad had links with Taliban in Waziristan, FATA. Taliban spokesman had acknowledged that Pakistani Taliban were responsible for the terrorist attack in New York when heard about the incident and the report was published in so many Pakistani dailies but now the same Taliban sensing gravity of situations backtracked, saying that their Waziristan based group was not having any acquaintance with Faisal Shahzad and he might have got militancy training somewhere in Pakistan from another Jihadi out-fit. The Taliban though did not repent for what unfortunate incident occurred and despite they congratulated the Faisal Shahzad for his futile terrorist act, like the one we had heard from Al quada leadership after the incident of 9/11, 2001. If we go back to the 9/11, then we could easily find that all the terrorists were from Arab world and there was no one from any Pashtun area or Afghanistan there but minutes after the incident the American government asked the Taliban to hand over Osama and his cronies. Taliban,s response could not satisfy America and on Oct.7,2001, it perched its forces at the hills and plains of Afghanistan, compelled Taliban to leave the Kabul and flee to nearby mountains and adjacent areas across Durand line by the strong support of friendly Pakistan. Most of the militants were allowed to enter from Tora Bora to Tirah valley of Khyber Agency and Kurram Agency from where they were moved towards Waziristan and a new government of Islamic Emirate was established there. When Pakistan came under international pressure, she artificially made another drama in Swat to divert the attention of world from real situations in Waziristan. More than 4 million people were forced to vacate their areas and live as IDPs. Pakistani establishment got two benefits out of it. On one hand it diverted world attention from Waziristan and on other it got American dollars to crush Pashtun and disgrace their women and tribes on the name of terrorism while in actual terrorists were reared up by it itself as a strategic asset. During Swat operation some low caliber militants were crushed but the real stock was kept hidden once again to use them for next round. It is claimed that Swat was cleared from terrorists but in real terms it is wrong as we see that target killing has been launched by the terrorists and their mentors alike. People of Swat Amn Jirga(Peace Council) were assassinated after they asked military to go back from Swat and they themselves could dare to fight against terrorists. This utterance of the peaceful people enraged the military establishment and on next day the people of Amn Jirga were no more in this world. Just few days back I had a chance to participate in a peace mushaira (Poets gathering) in Buner along some leaders of Amn Tehreek, Convener Idrees Kamal and Syed Mukhtar Bacha. We witnessed a tension there due to presence of military and militants both. Both interrogate people frequently and ask about their loyalty about Army and Pakistan. The houses and shops of the people in Buner are painted with Pakistani flag showing that Pakistan Army has recaptured the area form the hold of terrorists but actually the area still has tension and few terrorists numbering not exceeding form 35 roaming in the mountain of Ilam. There were also reports from the residents of the area that military request them to help them arrest terrorist Taliban from the mountain. People agree reluctantly due to fear and Army duress, but refuse to be divided into small groups either by terrorists or otherwise. People claim that terrorists are the need of establishment as without their presence the Army will have no option left behind but to leave and at same time American dollars will be stopped funneling towards them. At a check post established by military near the house of absconder Taliban leader Rahim Khan I and Idrees Kamal were pulled out from the car at the check point near Gadezi. The soldier standing on duty intercepted us and asked for our Identity cards. Mine and Idrees Kamal ID cards were scissored down by the cop asking the driver not to seat them in car and will have to walk on foot for a long distance. People suffer from the hardships and problems by both military and militants.

There have been more than 9 years of the war against terror in our region and FATA but still there are militants every where in FATA though the Pakistan claims to have wiped out militants from FATA which has no weight and hard to be trusted any more. There are two reasons either Pakistani security forces are unable to control situations and if it is not then there arises suspicions in minds and hearts of the people about the friendship of the military and militants. As for as Pakhtun people are concerned, they are 100% sure about this friendship and there is no doubt left over for them.
I am afraid that US and Afghan forces will enter the FATA and other parts of Pakhtun areas to release the abducted Abdul Khaliq Farahi , Afghanistan- Designate Ambassador to Pakistan who is still in captivity of militants and whose video was released few days back appealing Afghanistan government to take steps for his release. The American forces are feared to enter the area in question on the pretext that their proclaimed enemies (Taliban) are sitting in FATA and have posed the threat for the Americans. If we observe the situations closely, it is evident that it is more or less the same situations of 9/11 but with a difference that the terrorists used in said incident were from Arab world while in recent terrorist act both Faisal Shahzad and Taliban are from the area from where Americans are afraid to be attacked.

(The writer is social and Political worker and can be reached at his email pashtundemocraticcouncil@gmail.com)

Pashtun Democratic Council condemns terrorist attacks on US Consulate and Dir

Pashtun Democratic Council condemns terrorist attacks on US Consulate and Dir
Zar ali khan musazai, Chairman Pashtun Democratic Council has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the U.S. Consulate General in Peshawar. Pashtun nation hates terrorism and terrorists who are not even human beings. Such acts are cruel and barbaric. We are a peaceful nation and reject all forms and manifestations of terrorism. Pashtun are hostages and their voice has been silenced but the time will prove it that this drama was not staged by the Pashtun rather it was the agenda of the promoters and mentors of the religious terrorists using name and land of Pashtun for this dirty cause. But ultimately the terrorists and their mentors will lose and Pashtun nation and international community will be triumphant. Pashtun Democratic Council also denounces another cruel terrorist attack on the patriotic and peaceful Pashtun people in Dir where they were celebrating the Khyber Pukhtunkhawa, a new name for the Pashtun province. These both terrorist attacks show that terrorists are frustrated to the extent that they are blind and destroy all what come in their way. They are anti people, anti politics and anti life. Their barbarism will die natural death very soon. We also condemn all those forces which keep them still alive and are helping them morally and financially. We express our sympathy for all those who died in the said two incidents to protect the others at cost of their own life. Such people are great and need to be assisted. Our prayers are with them all. May God bliss the departed soul with eternal peace.
Issued by
Pukhtoon Democratic Council
Peshawar
www.musazai.blogspot.com
Cell:0301-5963337

People of FATA are grateful to His! Excellency Karzai for his statement against FCR in FATA

By Zar Ali Khan Musazai


President Hamid Karzai was right to say that Frontier Crimes Regulations commonly known as FCR is a terrible legacy of the British colonial rule being applied on Pashtun People in FATA. The sooner it is taken out the better. It is also against human dignity. As for as I understand this important question was posed a Pashtun journalist no less than the incumbent President of Peshawar Press Club in Pashto language in Islamabad when his Excellency! Hamid Khan Karzai was there on his official visit to Islamabad. Some of the Pakistani- minded Journalists who were present on that occasion criticized the remarks of Pashtun President Hamid Karzai and termed his reply as an intervention in internal affairs of Pakistan. This criticism was illogical and non sense. These so called journalists should realize that FATA is a place where Pashtun live and Karzai is also a Pashtun/Afghan and he has the right to ask for his people’s right in FATA. This unfortunate part has always been used for the nefarious designs by the establishment of Pakistan. First this part was used by the British rulers to block the forward movements of the then Tzarists and latter on was used by Pakistan with support of international community and Arab world to stop socialist block of former USSR to remain in Kabul. This time this part is again being used as proxy to thwart the good intentions of international community to prevail peace and promote democracy and developmental activities in Afghanistan. People in FATA do want change and are not ready to remain in old and out dated system which has given them nothing except humiliation and destruction. FATA is an area where there are no human rights. Political parties are not allowed to do politics and political parties act has never been extended to this part. Resultantly, extremist religious forces
Were made stronger and stronger with manpower and other resources with strong state support of Pakistan while the political, social and democratic forces were harnessed to take people to light and forward. Today we see that this part is like a hub of terrorism and terrorists use this area for their vested interests from where not only Afghanistan is fired but at same time the soldiers of international community are also frequently killed and Pashtun cities like Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera , Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Swat, Dir ,Buner and Charsadda including FATA itself are burning in hell and people are ruthlessly killed without no sin they have ever committed. The so called Pakistani journalists have never lifted pen to write in support of FATA people and against terrorism there. No journalist has ever asked Pakistani establishment as to why this area was left behind for more than last 60 years. To be developed. When Karzai spoke in fevour of his Pashtun people and against FCR, then these so called Journalists turned furious and called it as interference in internal affairs of Pakistan. These Journalists should study the actual case of FATA as to whom this part belongs to. Whether Karzai has right to talk in favor of tribesmen or not. Afghans know it well and they speak only when they know that they are talking for their own people. Afghanistan should adopt a policy of irredentism, where ever Pashtun are should be considered as Afghan citizens. Hamid Karzai, Pashtun President termed Afghanistan and Pakistan as twin brothers which I reject politely. Both are as step brothers because one brother namely Afghanistan is going to be developed but latter creates problems for it which shows enmity and negative approach. Pakistan wants Afghanistan’s peace and prosperity but at hands of Taliban and other conservative forces which is unacceptable to Afghans. Until Pakistan changes its old policies against Afghanistan, the brotherhood theory is not possible to move forward and as for as I know Pakistani establishment has not yet decided to bring a change in its previous policy regarding Afghanistan.

(The writer is Chairman Pashtun Democratic Council and can be reached through his email pashtundemocraticcouncil@gmail.com, www.musazai.blogsopt.com)

Afghans Harassment by the Police should be stopped

Dear Babar Baloch
Spokesman, UNHCR
Islamabad

Subject: Afghans Harassment by the Police should be stopped

R/sir,

Afghans living in Peshawar and other parts of Pukhtunkhawa are illegally teased and tormented by the Police. Police arrest them for allegedly not having proper documents. Almost all Afghans have the cards issued to them by UNHCR but still Police arrest them and claim that these cards have been expired. When an Afghan tells the police about the ministry of SAFRON Islamabad which has issued order that Afghan could live while utilizing the old cards for further 3-years stay. Your Excellency should talk to the high ups in interior ministry Islamabad and Police Inspector General in Pukhtunkhawa about the issue. This is very serious issue and should be taken seriously. When Police is approached, it simply says that police have not yet received any directive about the further stay of the Afghans and this is the reason that it arrests them and apply foreign act against them which is a mockery of justice with those Afghans who were used for long 30-years by Pakistan and now it has turned like a burden for this country which is not acceptable to us all Afghans living both sides of Durand line.
Hoping this issue be discussed with responsible Pakistani authority as early as possible to solve the problem of Afghans in Peshawar and elsewhere of Pukhtunkhawa.

Regards,
Zar Ali Khan Musazai
Chairman
Pashtun Democratic Council
Peshawar
www.musazai.blogspot.com

What a joke with Pashtun in FATA?

What a joke with Pashtun in FATA?

Zar Ali Khan Musazai

It was reported in media that Pakistani Chief of Army Staff General Kiyani visited South Waziristan to see the progress of rehabilitation of quick impact projects.
What a joke with Pashtun by the Pakistani state (Mulla, military and militant triangle). What to say of Pakistani said triangle barbarism and joke with Pashtun. Pakistan has been trying to do childish acts and wish to befool international community. But gone are the days when Pakistan was to be trusted over such childish and foolish acts to deceive the world. Even today Waziristan has more than 11 thousands Uzbek terrorists, more than 6 thousands Arab terrorists, more than 9000 Punjabi terrorists and about three thousands so called black faced Pashtun terrorists who are playing an Agent role for the Punjabis nefarious interests in region. (Shame). This should be clear to all and sundry that all Pashtun are not terrorists and do hate of them and their terrorist activities. Now one will have to think deeply and intensively over the joke Pakistani media plays with international community in general and Pashtun nation in particular. In FATA people are not having any human right and are victims of terrorism. Terrorists are given free hand in FATA and they have made this place as a hub of terrorism from where they are firing in Afghanistan and killing innocent people there and soldiers of NATO, Afghan Army and poor patriotic civilians. How Pakistani real establishment claims to have started developmental work in presence of such terrorists who have made people in FATA as hostages. Were the Pakistani establishment sincere, then it would have cleared the area from the terrorists but sorry to say this junta could not play the role and still the terrorists are ruling FATA. Even yesterday, some friends from Waziristan wept bitterly saying that Pakistan destroyed them and they were ready to welcome any one in FATA except Pakistan. International community should focus its attention on FATA and hoping Pakistan will not be left alone to decide the fate of Pashtun in FATA and tell the lie to international community any more.

(The writer is Chairman Pashtun Democratic Council and can be reached through his email musazai1975@gmail.com, www.musazai.blogspot.com)

Drone is effective anti-terrorist weaponn, mr Nawaz Sharif

Drone is anti-terrorist weapon, Mr. Nawaz Sharif
By Zar ali khan musazai
Former Pakistani Punjabi Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that he and his party have always opposed US drone attacks on terrorists in Pakistan. This statement further disclosed that Punjabis are averse to drone attacks and love to see terrorists (Arab and Punjabis) on Pashtun soil and to destroy peace in region and Afghanistan in particular. Punjabis political leadership along with military and mullah and Punjabi dominated Media of Pakistan are pro-terrorists and they do not take this important issue serious rather they all like to see Pashtun and Afghanistan in an eternal misery in which we are due to the satanic dreams and acts of the said negative forces. Nawaz Sharif says that in drone attacks the innocent souls are killed. This is 100% incorrect information he has collected from his sources and he is advised to get fresh and correct information regarding terrorism in our Pashtun areas including FATA. Those who give him information about drones should be punished because such incorrect and groundless information will lead him to be a laughing stock in international community which knows better than Nawaz Sharif and his Advisors regarding drones. Nawaz Sharif should try to get himself up to dated about such important information like drones. For the kind information of a Lahore-based Punjabi Politician it is said that drones have neither killed any innocent person nor will do so in future regarding FATA. Drone is actually the enemy of terrorists and those who love to see terrorists in FATA. We have said time and again that international community should not discuss our issues with Punjabi politicians and Media as they do not like to see us in peace. Pashtun in general and those living in Waziristan or have migrated from there due to terrorist activities say that only drones are the real treatment of the terrorists. Punjabi dominated Pakistani military is either unable or is reluctant to eliminate terrorists from FATA and to clear the area. For the last 9 years the Pakistan Army is engaged in FATA against terrorists but till this day they are unable to show that they have killed a high profile terrorist there. Absolutely they can not show. And drones can show that they have killed dozens of the terrorists in FATA including Baitullah Mehsud whom Pakistani media in last days of his life termed as pro- American terrorist but the claims of Pakistani media smashed at time when drone attacked him and killed. According to our latest and fresh information obtained form friends and political people that when ever drones are seen hovering in Waziristan our people are satisfied that only terrorists and their friends will be hit hard. But when we see that Pakistani Jet-fighter in air then we are afraid about the casualties of our poor, innocent and hostaged people. Few days back it was claimed by the terrorists in FATA that they had gunned down the drone. Pakistani newspapers reported in morning the other days that tribal people have gunned it down and they were jubilating over the drone incident (If ever has happened so). This is 100% absurd that tribal have done this job. How can the a tribesman do it when he has been standing in long queues to get few kilos of flour to feed his/her children who have been forced to migrate from their native villages and homes in FATA. Tribal are not opposed to drones and they know better than Nawaz Sharif that drone is anti-terrorist weapon not anti- Pashtun.
(The writer is Chairman Pashtun Democratic Council and can be reached on his email pashtundemocraticcouncil@gmail.com)

It is never too late to mend

It is never too late to mend
26 02 2009
By Zar Ali Khan Musazai
The writer can be reached at pashtundemocraticouncil@yahoo.com
The incident of 9/11, 2001 changed the world in general and Pashtun region in particular. Americans and allies launched their war against al- Qaeda and Taliban terrorists who were harboring terrorism and terrorists to Afghanistan and all over the world including the attacks on the US.
All those innocent people including the allied and Afghan soldiers who became victims of the terrorism are the real martyrs. They laid down their lives for upright, justice and peace in the world. May God bliss them all. It is a well known fact that Afghanistan was a centre of terrorism but with the advent of Americans and allied forces the terrorism and terrorists left Afghanistan and made Pakistan as a safe haven for them, particularly, the tribal areas adjacent to Afghanistan. Americans should have to strike the terrorists, this side of the Durand line at that time but sorry to say that Americans and allies did not do it and went behind Iraqi president/ dictator sadam Hussin. This act harmed Afghanistan, allied forces and Pashtun living both sides of Durand line. The terrorists strengthened themselves in FATA and adjacent areas of the Pashtun with alleged active support of Pakistan army, intelligence agency ISI and clergy. All clergymen are the paid employees of the ISI and are bent upon all time to harm Afghanistan and actively support terrorism in the region with the support of ISI and Arab sheikhs .America gave more than 13 billion dollars to Pakistan and demanded her to eradicate terrorism with it but this menace further spread with each passing day and some new reports indicate it that all the money meant for the elimination of the menace went directly to the accounts of Taliban and other forces engaged in fighting against America, allied forces and Afghanistan. Americans were informed time and again that the said so called anti-terror forces in FATA and other Pashtun areas were not sincere with them in the solution of the problem concerning terrorism ,and asserted that mulla-millitary are one and same but such calls turned deaf ears and were not weighed properly . When in Waziristan more than 400 military men had gone missing and media reported that they were captured by Taliban. Even at that time there were suspicions over it but the responsible international community did not heed it and laughed at those who were terming it as a drama and a naked farce. There were many people who were of the opinion that the detained military men were useful for the militants. They could give those refresher courses and other tactics as how to fight in Afghanistan against Americans and allied forces. We used to hear that Americans are very wise people but we do not know as to what are the factors that have been hurdles in their way to cross over to the areas dominated by the Pashtun, across the Durand line. When Taliban’s emirate in Kabul collapsed their mentors advised them to remain silent for some time and when Americans would leave soon then they would come out again and would reclaim Afghanistan. There were two aims behind it. One was to crush those political people and influential Pashtun who were sincere to eliminate the terrorism and were ruthlessly assassinated and this number raised to 3000.So- called anti terror forces in Pakistan wished to hammer the sentiments of Afghan nationalism on both sides of Durand line and tried the best to divert the attention of the people from the core issue of national unity and named it religiosity and anti-Americanism. The fact is that our people are having least concern about the American and allied forces and thought that forces in questions had come to Afghanistan under the command of UN. On other hands dollars were funneled for the anti-terror war which was deposited in the personal bank accounts of the mentors and Taliban alike while the innocent people were mercilessly killed, forced to migrate from their houses and schools and bridges were demolished. This conception was supported by the reporter of the New York Times also. Now the US has pledged 750 million dollars for the development of the FATA. We are afraid that the said hefty amount will go down the drain and FATA will neither develop nor will the people of FATA ever see its benefits in the presence of greedy and anti -American establishment of Pakistan. There are forces which are not sincere in elimination of the terrorism from the region. It is true that the Security forces are using jet-fighters and other heavy weapon in FATA, but not against terrorist Taliban and al-Qaeda, but it is used against the civilians to instigate their sentiments against US, allied forces and Afghanistan to sabotage the national unity. There are problems of unemployment, price hike, food shortage and unrest in our region. Pakistani rulers are unable to solve them that are why they wish to divert the attention of people from the real issues and concentrate their attention towards the US. Pashtun are of the firm belief that ISI has been using the Pashtun and their territory to promote terrorism with support of bloody religious mullahs. Pakistan mulla and military are same and from recent reports published in media that Taliban were termed as the, National asset of Pakistan, which is an alarming situations for us all. Pashtun reserve the right to ask as to who will be responsible for their destruction and Pashtun also demand of Americans and international community to bring culprits to the court of justice who perpetrated cruelties on Pashtun in the garb of terrorists. With the indiscriminate bombardment of Pakistani Security forces in FATA and Swat only civilian are killed while the drone attacks by the Americans hit the real targets and the difference is clear. Now once again Pashtun demand of the Americans and international community to isolate terrorists not Pashtun.
(The writer is Chairman of Pashtun Democratic Council and can be contacted on his cell: 0301-5963337 and email pashtundemocraticouncil@yahoo.com)
Received by mail: pashtundemocraticouncil@yahoo.com

PDC welcomes Obama Afghanistan stategy

PDC welcomes Obama Afghanistan strategy
PDC welcomes Obama, s new strategy for Afghanistan and termed it a positive step towards stability and peace in region. The strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan was more important than Iraq where the resources and forces were used ignoring the importance of Afghanistan and region which diverted attention from the real place of terrorism which was rightly called as center of terrorism by the American President Obama. It was very encouraging to hear the US President saying that Afghanistan was not lost and there is no imminent threat of the government being overthrown. The world should understand that terrorists have no capability to re emerge in Afghanistan but the sources of terrorism which are known should be eliminated. There are more than 92 centers in Pakistan which are active spreading terrorism in region. These centers of terrorism have made Afghanistan as a hell and do not love to see a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan which can guarantee the development and stability in region if left to get developed and peace establishes there. All centers of terrorism are in Punjab province of Pakistan from where the terrorists are sent to FATA and Afghanistan and sabotage the peace and development efforts of international community. Now the American President has hit the right place from where the terrorism originates by calling it as Epicenter of violent extremism. PDC lauded the announcement of Mr. President regarding strengthening the capacity of Afghanistan’s security forces and government. Those who are not tired saying that Afghanistan has been captured by American forces should have heard the speech of President Obama where he declared that Afghan government and people would be the ultimate responsible for their own country and Americans are partners and not patron. Americans seek an end to the era of war and sufferings and have no interest in occupying one’s country. Terrorism which he termed as cancer on both sides of Durand line should effectively be harnessed. This is also encouraging to note in the speech that America and world could no more tolerate safe havens of terrorists whose location is known and whose intentions are clear. PDC appreciated the sentence in which American President Obama said that every man, woman and child around the world who lives under the dark cloud of tyranny that America will speak out on behalf of their human rights and tend to light of freedom and justice and opportunity and respect for dignity and all people. PDC wishes to see all the claims in practical and deeds should speak louder than words.
Regards,
Zar Ali Khan Musazai
Chairman
Pashtun Democratic Council
pashtundemocraticcouncil@gmail.com
www.musazai.blogspot.com

teasin, tormenting and arrest of Afghans in Peshawar is condemnable

Pashtun Democratic Council
Press Release
Chairman Pashtun Democratic Council Zar Ali Khan Musazai has strongly denounced the illegal arrest, teasing and tormenting of the Afghans in Peshawar city and other parts of Pashtunkhwa. He said that Police and other law enforcement Agencies have made life for Afghans as a hell and their illegal arrest by police and imprisonment in various lock ups and goals of the Peshawar city and province is a shame for the government of Awami National Party which champions the cause of Pashtun/Afghans. Afghans are having the biometric Cards issued to them by the UNHCR. Those Afghans who have no such cards should not be arrested and tormented in the way the police and law enforcement agencies have been treating them. This is an insult to Pashtun/Afghans and this is intolerable. Afghans are neither terrorists nor having links with terrorists. The present wave of terrorism is due to wrong policies of the establishment of Pakistan, its military and ISI intervention in each and every thing especially in affairs of the neighboring countries and people. The terrorists have been and are still being nurtured and produced by the establishment and its Intelligence network and sleuths which is a shameful act. International community understands it well and those who have closed eyes are living in fool’s paradise. This negative attitude of the police and other agencies towards Afghans in Peshawar is very intolerable for us all. We realize that the solution of the present day problem is to get all Pashtun/Afghans united, abolish the black line of artificial division Durand line. Afghanistan is the historical home of all Afghans. Until the break away parts of Afghanistan are taken back and Pashtun are not united with their home Afghanistan the situations will remain as it is and Pakistani notorious establishment will be using the soil of Pashtun for its nefarious designs and Pashtun will be bleeding. Pakistan has completely failed to eliminate terrorism from the region. Now this country should show courage and advise international community to perch on the places of terrorism and help them clean it otherwise Pakistan has no capability to solve the problem and this will be complicated with each passing day and children of the Pashtun will be dying. Pashtun Democratic Council demands of the international community. US, Afghan government and UN to intervene into the matter and save the Afghans from the atrocities and barbarism of the police and other law enforcement agencies on the name of the elimination of terrorism. This is an insult to all Afghans if tormented in Peshawar. Afghans were pious people and Islamic brothers for the Pakistan when she was using them for its own purpose and now the Afghans are asked to go back. Elimination of terrorism needs commitment and sincerity on the part of Pakistan. This can not be wiped out by teasing, tormenting and arrest of the Afghans in Peshawar irrespective of their ages. We believe that Punjab is the center of terrorism and until Islamabad and Rawalpindi show sincerity this menace will continue. This problem has not been initiated by Afghans. Pakistan has created it and only this country has its treatment on the condition of sincerity and commitment. Afghan Government is also strongly requested to raise this important issue with the Pakistani government and ANP to avoid arrest and insult to Afghans in Peshawar.
Regards,
Issued by
Pashtun Democratic Council
pashtundemocraticcouncil@gmail.com
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www.musazai.blogspot.com

His Excellency! Karzai felicitated on his re-election as President

Pashtun Democratic Council
Press Release
Peshawar ( ) Pashtun Democratic Council is pleased to hear the nice and good news of Hamid Karzai who was re-elected as President of the Afghanistan. His Excellency! Hamid Khan Karzai is the representative of all 34 provinces of Afghanistan and all those Afghans living this side of the Durand line.
I facilitate His Excellency and all Afghans on this occasion of happiness and satisfaction on my own behalf and on behalf of my Organization, Pashtun Democratic Council.
We have the great pleasure to extend to him and all Pashtun/Afghans our heartiest and warmest felicitations on his re-election as President of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The Govt. and people of Afghanistan deserve to be congratulated on this great occasion of pleasure and unity. The election Commission of Afghanistan is also lauded for its untiring efforts which worked day and night to pave the way for promoting democratic process in Afghanistan. His Excellency! Hamid Karzai and his team is hoped to work for the development of Afghanistan and to serve the common men, women and Children alike. He is a symbol of unity for all Pashtun/Afghans living both sides of Durand line. We Pashtun living this side of Durand line hope that His Excellency will not leave us alone and will raise his voice for us on all fora of world. Today Pashtun are in very great distress and trouble and there is no one to talk in their favor. This nation is tipped as terrorist and militant but the actual position is that there are other forces which have been using this nation and this soil for their nefarious designs. Hamid Karzai is the sole hope for the Pashtun/Afghans to stay as a rock to defend his nation and people. Our prayers and good wishes are for him and his administration. We also acknowledge the efforts and services of international community especially America, NATO, UN and European Union whose people, soldiers and governments did their best to restore peace in Afghanistan and put this country on the path of democracy and prosperity.
Regards,
Zar Ali Khan Musazai
Chairman
Pashtun/Afghan Democratic Council
Peshawar.
www.musazai.blogspot.com
www.larawbar.com/pdc
Cell: 0301-5963337
Pashtundemocraticcouncil@gmail.com

Clergy and intelligence agencies are playing dirty game on the blood of innocent Pashtun

Pashtun Democratic Council
Clergy and intelligence agencies are playing dirty game on the blood of innocent Pashtun
By Zar ali khan musazai
We strongly condemn the inhuman incident of car bomb in Peshawar city in which more than 100 innocent civilian mostly women and children martyred and more than 200 seriously wounded. Pashtun Democratic Council consider it as a genocide of the Pashtun nation by the barbarian negative and anti-Pashtun forces which are bent upon to annihilate this nation but one has to understand that neither Changez khan nor Sikandar have ever succeeded to annihilate this nation. Those terrorists who are playing as agents of the conspirators who are sitting miles away from the pashtun area should try to understand that playing havoc with own nation is treachery. Today Pashtun ask the question as to who are doing this barbarism with them. The answer is simple that only and only Pakistani establishment, military, ISI and their partner militants (Terrorists) are responsible for this enmity against Pashtun. Pakistani religious clerics and religious parties are trying to hoodwink the people and international community about the real situations. In Pakistan mulla-military have formed an alliance to wipe out the pashtun. Mulla has been working for the nefarious designs of the ISI and establishment. ISI and Pakistan never ever want to see a prosperous, developed and peaceful democratic Afghanistan and for this purpose these two forces with the connivance of some hidden forces have joined hands to sabotage the development in the region. Today we hear religious parties in Pakistan asking Americans to go back to America from Afghanistan and at same time they denounce Lugar bill. American forces are sitting in more than 100 countries of the world but no where there happens any violence or opposition to American forces but here in Pakistan clergy is mobilizing people against the Americans and international community. It means that Pakistan through its clergy sees the dream to the capture Afghanistan after the departure of the Americans. All the nationalist and democratic Secular political and tribal Pashtun are being or have been assassinated by the notorious hands of the terrorists. The sole aim of self made insurgency in Pashtun region is the handi work of the intelligence agencies and it is quite foolish to believe that Americans and Indians are doing it. No one except the Pakistani intelligence agencies are responsible. This is just to befool the people and international community and divert the attention from the real players in region. Today we see that a particular religious party Jumati Islami, known as B-team of Pakistani intelligence agency ISI has been protesting Kerry Lugar bill. They both know that the bill in question is meant to develop the social sector in Pashtun areas including FATA and malakand, Swat etc. When this religious party was in government in Musharraf era then there was no hue and cry over such donations. But when Americans made their mind to spend the money on development and for the betterment of the People of Pashtun region then religious parties started hue and cry saying that now the dooms day will fall on them. This is once again a conspiracy against the pashtun and they do not love to see Pashtun be educated and prosperous. They are doing this nefarious job to keep the pashtun backward and ignorant; their sole aim is to use them against foreign forces in Afghanistan. Now international community including Americans should realize the gravity of situations and leave Pashtun be their friends. Americans do know where are the centers of terrorism? They are situated in Punjab. Then what are the hurdles which stop Americans and international community to hit the real centers of terrorism. Only fighting against Pashtun will not prove to be real solution. Unless and until the sources are targeted the problem will not be solved and this process will continue. Pashtin will be dying, American and NATO forces will be martyred in Afghanistan and the real conspirators will get dollars and lead a comfortable life. Oh, Americans and international community for God sake leave Pashtun to lead a peaceful life and go to the real places from where the terrorism originates, I mean Punjab and Islambad. Fault does not lie in Pashtun region rather it is in Islamabad. We once again condemn the attacks on innocent Pashtun and demand of international community to come behind terrorists and annihilate their nests in Punjab and befriend Pashtun which is the only and real solution if interested. We condole the death of all those Pashtun women, children and young who embraced martyrdom in suicide attacks in Peshawar and other parts of the Pashtunkhwa. The clothes of Pashtun women and children were hanging through the walls of high buildings and most of our women were made nude and naked but still Pashtun and international community both are slumbering in ignorance. We Pashtun know our enemy well and enemy is still busy making conspiracies against us.
(The Writer is Chairman Pashtun Democratic Council and can be reached at his email pashtundemocraticcouncil@gmail.com, www.musazai.blogspot.com)

Durand Line and Afghans/Pakhtoon National Unity

Durand Line and Afghans/Pakhtoon National Unity
A well- Known and reputed Afghan writer Abdul Ghafar farahi in his book: The Era of Democracy and Republic in Afghanistan; writes about Durand Line; When the people of Afghanistan came to know about the agreement of Durand Line between Ameer Abdul-Rehman Khan and the British, they turned down the said pact and strongly opposed it and those Pakhtoons/Afghans living this side of Durand Line started a war against the occupied forces until they left the sub-Continent in 1947 and he further says; they people of Afghanistan have a strong disliking for that so-called agreement of the Durand Line. When Wazirs and Masood and other Pakhtoon tribes sensed that their national identity was at stake by imperialist forces and were divided, they were greatly perturbed and immediately sent a representative to Pakhtia where he visited Sardar Gul Ahmad Khan the Governor of Pakhtia to let them know about the signing of the agreement between Abdul-Rehman Khan and the British.
The representative told the Governor that his people were not ready to recognize their division, and would keep continued their war against it and would never surrender. Sardar Gul Ahmad Khan expressed his ignorance about such an agreement and assured the representative that no such pact was ever signed. But when Pakhtoon/Afghan tribes sensed it they took up arms and initiated the armed struggle to foil the conspiracies, which led to their division.
The Durand Line had not only divided one nation but its worst impacts had suffered houses and same tribes, as it had segregated one body into many parts. When Ameer realized that his decision was not accepted to his people and were opposed to it tooth and nail, he then started helping them with weapons and pelf. Ameer called famous Pakhtoon freedom fighter mullah Pawinda Waziri and mulla Najmuddin and many more tribal chiefs to Kabul and he showed his reverence and respect to them all. Ameer Abdul Rehman Khan was a wise man.
He knew well that he was unable to defend his all areas and the entire Afghanistan could be suffered if he was reluctant to sit with the British and hand over them some areas of his country Afghanistan for administrative purpose. The region where Pakhtoons are living today which was and is still called with an infamous nameless name (NWFP) was occupied by the British in the year of 1849. When the English forces were badly routed in Kabul by Afghans under the courageous and bold leadership of wazir Muhammad Akbar Khan.
The English forces and rulers alike were disgusted and dejected as Afghan forces had left their one man Doctor Brydon alive with a purpose to go back to Jalalabad and apprise his army about their shameful and ignoble defeat at the hands of Afghans in Kabul. Sensing gravity of the situations and defeat after defeat, the British rulers of India opted to come to negotiating table with Afghans, weaken their combined force and save themselves from the further ignobility and disgrace. Henry Mortimer Durand the then foreign secretary of British India went to Kabul where he visited Ameer Abdul Rehman Khan and got him signed the pact.
The real aim of the pact was to hamper the onward advent of Russians to the warm waters of sub-continent and divide Pakhtoon nation to decrease its might so that they could not stand as a threat to their interests and challenge their authority in this important region. The Durand agreement or the Kabul convention of 1893 is briefly given as follows: whereas certain questions have arisen regarding the frontier of Afghanistan on the side of India and whereas both His Highness the Ameer and the Government of India are desirous of setting these questions by friendly understanding, and of fixing the limit of their respective sphere of influence, so that for the future there may no difference of opinion on the subject between the allied Governments, it is hereby agreed as follows:
1The eastern and southern frontier of His Highness domains from Wakhan to the Persian border shall follow the line shown on the map attached to this agreement.
2The Government of India will at no time exercise interference in the territories lying beyond this line on the side of Afghanistan, and His Highness the Ameer will at no time exercise interference in the territories laying beyond this line on the side of India.
3The British Government of India thus agrees to His Highness the Ameer retaining Asmar and the valley above it, as for as Chanak. His Highness agrees, on the other hand, that he will at no time exercise interference in Swat, Bajour, or Chitral, including the areaway or Bashgal valley. The British Government also agree to leave to His Highness the Barmal tracts as shown in detailed map already given to His Highness, who relinquishes his claim to the rest of Wazir, s country and Dawar. His Highness also relinquishes his claim to Chageh.
4The frontier line will hereafter be laid down in detail and demarcated, whenever this may be practicable and desirable, by joint British-Afghan commissioners, whose object will be to arrive by mutual understanding at a boundary which shall adhere with the greatest possible exactness to the line shown in the map attached to this agreement, having due respect to the existing local rights of the villages adjoining the frontier.
5With reference to the question of Chaman, the Ameer withdraws his objection to the new British cantonment and concedes to the British Government the rights purchased by him in Sirkai Tilerai water. At this part of the frontier the line will be drawn as follows:
From the crest of Khwaja Amran range the sha kotal, which remains in the British territory, the line will run in such a direction as to leave murgha Chaman and the Shorab spring to Afghanistan, and to pass half- way between the new Chaman fort and the Afghan outposts known locally as Lashkar Dand. The line will then pass half-way between the railway station and the hill known as the Main Buldak, and, turning southwards, will rejoin the Khwaja Amran range leaving the Gwasha post in the British territory and the road to Shorawak to the west and the south of Gwasha in Afghanistan. The British Government will not exercise any interference within half a mile of the road.
6The above articles of agreement are regarded by the Government of India and His Highness the Ameer of Afghanistan as a full and satisfactory settlement of all principles of which have arisen between them in regard to the frontier, and the Government of India and His Highness the Ameer undertake that any difference of detail, such as those which will have to be considered hereafter by the officers appointed to demarcate the boundary line, shall be settled in a friendly spirit, so as to remove for the future as for as possible all causes of doubt and misunderstanding between the two governments.
7Being fully satisfied of His Highness, goodwill to the British Government and wishing to see Afghanistan strong, the Government of India will raise no objection to the purchase and import by His Highness of munitions of war, and they will themselves grant him some help in this respect. Further, in order to make their sense of the friendly spirit in which His Highness the Ameer has entered in to these negotiations, the government of India undertake to increase by the sum of 6 lakhs of rupees a year the subsidy of 12 lakhs now granted to His Highness.
Kabul, November 12, 1893
H.M Durand
Ameer Abdul Rehman Khan

If one studies the agreement seriously he will at once realize that the agreement was signed between the British Government and His Highness Ameer Abdul Rehman Khan. The name of Pakistan has never been mentioned anywhere in the entire text of the agreement. There were still more than 50 years in the birth of Pakistan at the time of agreement. The British left the sub-continent in 1947.
All the agreements and pacts between Afghanistan and the British Government of India automatically remained revoked, because one party of the agreement is no more in India and the agreement was also not signed willingly. The Ameer was weaker and the British Government was strong enough to have exerted the pressure and brought the weaker under duress to sign the agreement. If the agreement taken to a third party it has no such complicated thing, which will turn against Pakhtoon and Afghanistan.
Just after the departure of the English from the sub-continent the parliament of Afghanistan announced revoking their all agreements with the British Government of India .So there seems no validity of the Durand line, which has segregated Pakhtoons/Afghans for the last several decades. Pakistani establishment has been struggling to befool the world, calling for mines and to fencing the line on the clever pretext of stopping the infiltration of the terrorists and insurgents to Afghanistan .
The demarcation of the line is nowhere is clear and the world should realize that the pact has never been signed with Pakistan. Gone are the days when the British forces had a threat to that side of the Durand line but today they have faced a threat from this side of the Durand line. If the British forces and Americans stationed in Kabul take a decision to take their line somewhere away from the Durand line then what will be her reaction to the decision? Pakistan establishment is bent upon to perpetuate the artificial division of the Pakhtoon on the pretext of terrorists and containment of the Taliban. If one looks he can very easily find out that the real fault does not lie on the Durand line it lies in Islamabad.
The Pakistani establishments and the Governments have never been sincere with Afghanistan, and the foreign office of Pakistan is not ready to stop its policy of interference in Afghanistan. The world should open its eyes and to see as to who are standing behind the Taliban and terrorists who are frequently crossing over to Afghanistan and destroy the peace there? And why they are being supported? What are the nefarious designs behind the entire drama? But no Government in Afghanistan could dare to bargain on heads of the Pakhtoons living this side of the Durand line and accept it as a permanent border between two countries as it is an important question concerning more than 7 crore Pakhtoons living both sides of Durand line and in the different parts of the world. Until this artificial division of one nation is finished the world in general and Asia in particular will not be able to see a prosperous dawn.
But the Pakhtoons will have to struggle in a peaceful way and aprise the world of their bad days and troubles, which the others have created for them. Now we have to wait and see what the allied forces and their countries have in their pockets for Pakhtoons, whom they had divided earlier, and the policy of hot-pursuit to hit the enemy anywhere to eliminate the menace of Taliban, terrorism, fundamentalism, and anti-Pakhtoon forces who are killing Pakhtoons and destroy the future of their posterity, which have had an institutional support somewhere away from the Durand line.
Written by
ZAR ALI KHAN MUSAZAI
Chairman Pakhtoon/Afghan Democratic Council
PESHAWAR, PAKHTOONKHWA
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www.musazai.blogspot.com
pashtundemocraticcouncil@gmail.com

Amir Hamza Khan , the Poet of Ghazal

Amir Hamza Khan , the Poet of Ghazal
By Zar Ali Khan Musazai
Amir Hamza Khan Shinwari was born in the village of Landi Kotal , Khyber in 1907. But he spent the more part of his life in Peshawar.It is said that in winter he lived in a small home situated inside of Aasia gate while in summer he lived in his own native village situated in the west of Peshawar in mountains near Durand line,Landikotal. The weather is commonly pleasant there and one can spend his time without having electricity fan. Hamza Baba was not a lonely person and he was always surrounded by his will-wishers, friends and disciples where ever he was. He was having a sound health and mind while he was hearing little loud and his eye sight was also very good and as for as his memory concerned was wonderful. Hamza baba remembered his all poetry and besides he had memorized the poetry of other poets belonging to other languages. He used to recite his poems in Urdu language but on the advice of his Pir Abdul Sattar shah Bacha he started his poems in his own mother language Pashto. He was an encyclopedia of Pashto literature. His services for Pashto language and literature are innumerable. He is known as Baba-e- Pashto Ghazal. As he says:
Sta pa Anango ki a Hamza da weeno sra de
Ta shway da Pukhto Ghazal zwan ao za de Baba kram
Translation:
(The color in your cheeks is the color of the blood of Hamza)
(0, Pashto Ghazal, you are grown up but Hamza became old)
Hamza baba was a student in Islamis Collegiate School but due to his family reasons he could not continue his higher education and left education in mid way while his love for Urdu poetry also diminished and gave his full fledged attention to his own language Pashto. After leaving his School he was soon married and employed in the office of Political Agent in Landi Kotal. Soon he left his job there and went to Bombay to try his luck there. Bombay was then a sort of Hollywood of sub- continent. Although this tour of Bombay proved to be a misadventure but Baba did not lose heart and the year of 1920 he succeeded in getting the role in a film. In 1941 he was called upon by Rafique Ghaznavi to write script, songs and dialogue for the Pashto film Laila Majnoon. Hamza baba was deeply trenched in mysticism and about his this experience he says: I stepped into the land of wonders in 1930. I was not consciously inclined that way before and it would be more true to say that I have not come here of my own but was simply dragged to it. Hamza baba took formal allegiance, in Chistia order , at the hands of his Pir Sayyed Abdul Sattar Shah commonly known as Sattar shah Bacha in Dabgari Peshawar.In 1937 a Pashto literary society called Bazm-e- Adab was founded by baba. Syed Rahat Zakheli was elected as its President while Hamza baba was elected as a vice-presidentand. Bacha Gul Niazi as its general secretary. Later on Hamza baba was made its president and he started looking after of this society. In the year 1950, this society was merged into a larger society called Olasi Adabi Jirga. The moving spirit behind this August Jirga was Sanobar Hussain Kakaji with Hamza Shinwari and Dost Mohammad Kamil as its vice-president and general secretary. Its membership consisted of Qalandar Momand, Ajmal Khattak, Mir Mehdi Shah, Wali Mohammad Toofan, Fazle Haq Shaida, Saifur Rehman Salim, Afzal Bangash, Latif Wahmi, Hussain Khan Soz, Ayub Sabir, Farigh Bokhari, Raza Hamdani, Qamar Rahi and a number of others. Apart from promoting poetry this Jirga also paid equal attention to the promotion of Pashto prose. For poetry as well as prose, it started holding regular sessions at the Balakhana of Kamil sab in Peshawar's famous Khyber Bazar.
Hamza baba had a great love for his own language Pashto and says:
The enemys say that Pashto is a language of hell
I will go to heaven with this language.
About his own land in India he writes:
I feel the taste of Pakhtoonkhwa in India,
when I come across an Afghan there
this shows his love for his mother land Pashtunkhwa.
In 1962 Hamza Baba published his first major work on Philosophy called Zhwand and in 1970 he published the accounts of his pilgrimage to Makka with his well known verse.
Hamza safar ka da Hijaz no hom
Za da Pukhtoon da Qafillo sara zam
Translation:
Even on my journey to Hijaz Hamza,
I go with caravans of the Pakhtoon
In 1970 he published the memoir of his Sheikh Syed Abdus Sattar Shah.
Important works of Hamza Baba

Poetry: Da zarrah aawaz, Ghazawooney, Baheer, Parey wooney, Saprlaey pa aaina key, Yoon, Szuand au yoon, Salgai and Naawey chapey (A travelogue).

Prose: Da Hijaz palour, (A travelogue in Pushto), Szuawer fikraunah, (Critical essays) Szuand, Wajood shahood, (Philosophical essays in Urdu), Insaan aur khuda (Urdu), Tajjliyat-i-Mohammadia (Pushto) and Insanee anaa au pooha (Pusht