“The Pashtuns of Pakistan and the Pashtuns of Afghanistan have not only ethnic kinship, but also historical bond, and to pursue the policy of erecting a wall along the Durand Line wouldn’t be any different than the “Wall of Berlin”, which was created in Germany, says Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States, Hussain Haqani. The Pashtun Times conducted an ...

In the contemporary era of War on Terror, one often hears the words Mullah/Taliban and Pashtun carelessly associated with each other in Pakistan, as if there is some synonymity between the two. More often than not, such associations are intended to place the entire burden of the rise of religious extremism on Pakhtun society while absolving more powerful actors of ...

Khumariyaan: Interview with Sparlay Rawail This interview was carried out on the 30th May 2017, between this author (Angelina Merisi) and Sparlay Rawail, the lead guitarist with the band – Khumariyaan. The following is a transcript of that conversation. Merisi: Hello and thank you very much for taking the time from your busy schedule to carry out this interview. Sparlay: ...

Women rule in Muslim countries is a unique and refreshing idea. If we look back in history, we find the Razia Sultana, Benazir Bhutto, Khalida Zia and others who have managed to walk the corridors of power with pride. In Pakistan, the second most populous Muslim-majority country, Benazir Bhutto was elected twice as the prime minister of the country. But ...

In 1929 when British Colonial power had reached its zenith on the Indian sub-continent, a movement which advocated egalitarian social reform, unity and non-violent political action began in what was then known as the North West Frontier Province (NWFP). The Khudai Khidmatgar (KK) movement, meaning ‘Servants of God,’ was established under the charismatic leadership of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (aka: ...

Remember that getting rid of the responsibility by saying they do not belong to us is not a solution to save oneself. Would you have accepted a same reaction and logic of terrorism if people of another faith carry on the same thing? Terrorism. Extremism. Fundamentalism. Violence. Killing innocents. What exactly do we talk; or justify about? Is it the ...

The relation between the Islamic States of Afghanistan and Pakistan is a complicated love affair.  In public, both countries claim being brothers sharing various cultural, linguistic and historic relations; in private, however, their policy makers may do whatever evil fits their purpose for their so called “strategic interests”.  And when relations soar, Pakistan is quick to point fingers to the ...