Who Are Pakhton’s Nation

According to Russian Army General in 1987, Pakhton are the bravest people ever born on earth. These people cannot be defeated by force. American Army General said that we are fighting a meaningless war against the rocks.

Here is a long history behind the misunderstanding – prevalent both locally and around the world – that Pakhtons are either religious fanatics or just poor, ignorant fellows. The image of the Pakhton man that is usually portrayed comes either in the form of a bearded person painted either with the colors of terror or presented as a symbol of outdated ideals. Pakhton women are presented as prisoners, kept within four walls, and their veil is seen as a trademark of cultural and religious suppression. The stereotyped image of a guard with a gun, a big moustache and big mole above the moustache, speaking funny Urdu is what every citizen of this country has in his or her mind. This man is seen as a comic figure everywhere. Pakhton girls are reluctant to own this misrepresented ideal just because it is considered a benchmark of backwardness throughout the world.

Pakhtons are sensitive beings and like everyone else, they want to live according to the ideals of their thousand-year-old cultural legacy. In times where almost every nation in this world is suffering through an identity crisis, Pakhtons are trying to hold on to their roots and their identity.

Equally important are the sentiments and feelings of Pakhton women. They are suffering more than women from other parts of the world today and these sufferings should not be taken as a statement of cultural coercion. Pakhton women question why they cannot be part of the developed world without breaking away from their culture and tradition. The world is hearing the voices of a few people without paying attention to the millions who see their men as their idols.

Let this be cleared, once and for all, that Pakhtons are not against any religion, political ideology, ethnic identity or any plan that brings peace, development and education. However, at the same time, the Pakhton people want to live in a world that was built by their ancestors and they want to cherish the ideals that have kept them alive.

 Why Pakhtons are considered brave people?

1. Landscape: Pakhtons or Pathans (Pathan is a subcontinent nomenclature for Pakhtons) have been living in remote, rigid, and harsh terrains since thousands of years. These merciless environments invariably have affected their genome over time and are also an indicator of the nurturing habitats that the kids are raised in. For survival, confident and brave attitudes are naturally and culturally preferred, while bashful attitudes are weeded out.
2. Inter-tribal, inter-ethnic, and international conflicts: Pakhtons are known for not backing out with an aggressive attitude. This valorous doggedness has made Pakhtons belligerents in numerous wars and conflicts throughout history, from inter-tribal wars since medieval times to various dynasties that gathered several ethnicities under a centralized government. Pakhtons have also been heavily involved in international wars with the British, the Soviets, and so many more. I'll cut it short here by saying; Pakhtons have been at war for a huge portion of history. A common knowledge to the people of that region is that Pakhtons have never been conquered in history. Although, I feel it is important to add here that Pakhtons do not fight just for the sake of fighting or capitalizing on resource gains, but rather fight to defend.

4. Pakhtonwali: In layman terms, Pakhtonwali is a way of life. A sacred way of life. It is the thread that holds all Pakhtons together. Its conception predates the Islamic era and most Pakhtons tout their pride of being born a Pakhton and then as a Muslim. Pakhtonwali includes:

       a. Turah (Bravery). This couldn't be any more straightforward. Bravery is embedded into their code of life.
       b. Ghayrat (Courage) Preserving pride, honor, and respect is a core principle. Failure to adhere to this principle leads to ostracism from the tribe.
    
The above two principles are come in direct contact with bravery, while the rest of the principles relate in some way to bravery and also from the third main point about being belligerents in numerous wars. Pakhtons are known for their gentle and welcoming hearts. Pakhtons innately want peace and harmony and will defend their rights till death. A persevering attitude does not equate to violent intent but rather a Pakhton way of attaining peace.

c. Inheritance. Land is divided as inheritance only among the males and on the basis of equality. The eldest brother is generally given an extra share to be used for the upkeep of the family guest house (hujra). It is over the inheritance of land that rivalry develops between brothers and, in the next Generation cousins.

d. Religious Practitioners: While Islam has no ordained priesthood, religious leaders are recognized. At the village level this role is played by the mullah, a man who has attained some religious training. Besides tending the mosque and making the call to prayer five times a day, he officiates at the rites of passage that mark the stages of life, birth, circumcision, marriage, and death. Another important figure is the Sayyed who stands outside the tribal structure, since his genealogy extends to the Prophet himself and not to the ancestors of the Pathans. Not bound by the Pakhton code of honor, Sayyeds are saintly figures who can arbitrate between conflicting groups.

Most famous and well known realities about Pakhtons are listed below:

Pakhtons are incredible (the brave people). Honesty is their faith. Islam is their religion. They are the sons of mountains and warriors of their legends. They are gallant, fearless, guerilla fighters. Dance with swords. Guns are their toys. Love their culture, respect their values, nature loving, lively, and decorate their surroundings. Hospitality is their pride. They come, they saw, and they concord. Revenge is their law and forgiveness is their style. They save the border, they are unpaid soldiers, and their rage is like thunder. They make the tiger toothless; even they don’t know the meaning of surrender. When they illiterate they made weapons.

Being a Pakistani and pakhton let’s built Pakistan together. Don’t let other break us. As a Pakistani nation, let’s bring smile on our elder faces, read, write and get high education. Don’t let our enemies win. Let’s defeat them together in every field. Every fall has a rise but when Pakhtun rises everything will be fall because Pakhtun did and Pakhtun can.

I live in a reality but I have my own fantasy. There is pain in my eyes, but a shine in my smile. I am hated by few but loved by most. I am remembered by many but forgotten by some. I am not a beast that’s why I love peace. I am such an extraordinary person in such an ordinary way. That’s why I am a Pakhton by history, by geography, by culture, by morality and by attitude. I am proud to be a Pakhton.