Achakzai seeks new Afghania province from Afghan border to Attock, Mianwali

Calls for giving Afghan refugees Pakistani citizenship; says Pashtoons must unite to get equal rights; ‘this land has been given to us by our ancestors’

QUETTA: Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai on Sunday called for giving Pakistani citizenship to Afghan refugees and making a new Afghania province from the Afghan border to Attock and Mianwali.

He said said that Pashtoons are neither terrorists nor particularistic. He claimed that the history of Pashtoons dates back to thousands of years, adding that Pashtoons have never looked at someone’s caste, colour or creed with contempt.

“Historians around the world have written about Pashtoons over time,” he said. “They have written that there is no shortage of food or shelter where Pashtoons reside.”

Achakzai further commented that Pashtoons dearly revere their guests; however, if a guest tries to look at their land with an evil intention then the repercussions are severe. Later, the PkMAP chief added that it was absolutely essential to uphold peace in the country to work on development projects like building roads and establishing factories.

Achakzai gave this speech on Abdul Samad Khan Achakzai’s 43rd death anniversary at the Aabpara Community Centre, Islamabad. Many other leaders gave speeches in this ceremony, including Qahar Khan Wadan, Sardar Azam Musakhail, Haji Qayyum Achakzai, Dr Ghulam Sarwar, Dr Kareem Khan Mandokhail and Haji Jameel Khan.

“Today, we are remembering Abdul Samad Khan Achakzai on his 43rd death anniversary when the Afghan nation is facing difficult times, and there a sense of fear lingering in the air,” said the PkMAP chief. “Pashtoons and Afghans, on both ends of the Durand Line, are confronted by perilous situations; therefore, it is significant for every Pashtoon, who cares for his motherland, to come under one platform to solve these problems.”

He said that only the people of this country could solve their problems. “No third person from outside will come to resolve our issues.”

On the other hand, Achakzai claimed that an impression was being created that Pashtoons are terrorists, particularistic and savages. However, the PkMAP chief vehemently denied these assumptions and urged the people to read history of over 5,000 years. He said that Pashtoons have never been terrorist, particularistic or fiercely violent. “To prove these baseless assumptions wrong and to get rid of poor living conditions, it is imperative for all Pashtoons, belonging to all races and different age groups, to come under one platform as a united force,” Achakzai said.

He said that the Pashtoon-Afghan history dates back even before the times of Hazrat Essa (AS). Achakzai added that even when Sikandar Yunani came to the Subcontinent with his historian, they never termed the Pashtoons as terrorists. “Pashtoons have received this land from their ancestors and we live where our ancestors used to live,” he said. “In the past, we have defended our land from all evil forces to keep it unadulterated and we will also do so in the future if need be. If any Pashtoon fails to stand for the defence of his land, then he will certainly be a shameless person.”

Achakzai went on to say that it was the 21st Century now and there was even a count of killing animals. He said, on the other hand, there is no count when it comes to killing Pashtoons. Achakzai said that we earlier raised this issue that Pakistan was our dear land. “We have to adhere by the principles of equality,” he said. “It can’t go on like it is right now: A Punjabi or a person from another nation will assume a higher position and a Pashtoon will serve as a security guard.”

Achakzai said that there would be one Constitution in this country and it would be respected by all and sundry. “The forces of Pakistan will be free to exercise their rights in their own sphere, media and judiciary will also be free; and their centre of policies will be parliament and the democratic government chosen by 200 million people of Pakistan,” the PkMAP chief said. “However, we are not willing to stay in a Pakistan where your brother will be a doctor and my brother will be a security guard.” He also urged that the Pashto language should be a part of national curriculum.