Intriguing discussion premised on Afghan=Pashtun being peddled here caught my eye. What a primordial concept!
Fact that such revanchist philosphy finds purchase among bazaars of Hindu Kush is telling for 21st century nation trying to drag this land of miseries into something a bit more modern.
A superficial analogy was made here regarding Germans, Austrians, Koreans, Kurds & Persians. So if this gentleman was in USA then would he accept the primacy of English speaking Anglo-Saxons in America above all others? Good grief?
It is a testament to this august nation that this primitive argument was decided decades ago and anyone spouting such "eloquence" would be laughed out of his own head.
Just for Ha Ha.....If Afghan=means=Pashtun only (and others take a number to be allowed IN) then why is the official language of Afghanistan Farsi - read Tajik if you will?
And NO the Austrians do NOT call themselves Germans. They speak german but are Austrians; just as Americans speak English but are NOT English. Complexities of human existence.
Enough of this irredentist nonsense. Back to the topic; I do think there is much merit in Korasanian's argument in laying foundation for a broader ties between peoples of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and beyond. You share history, geography, some linguistic threads, and if smart can share billion$ in trade and commerce.
Originally when the Afghan "Pashtun" royalists were veritable puppets of Kremlin, they drank the communism Kool-aid with socialists in New Delhi, and then smoked the Pashtun Wali pipe with a special blend of Red communism with hagiographists of Bacha Khan in obscure tea rooms of Peshawar. In those times Tajiks had no better friend than Pakistan. In fact the Great Ahmed Shah Masood showed up in Peshawar as a student requesting "training" from Pak Intelligence. However, the lasting legacy of Soviet foray into south Central Asia was to seal the fate of Pashtun aristocracy in Kabul. Which allowed non-Pashtuns to become more assertive as well as allow Pakistani err, "Lar" Pashtuns to begin to contrast much more favorably against their "bar" cousins. Historically a prosperous and more numerous peoples have never quit a richer nation to join a poorer nation to be with their poorer and less numerous cousins but maybe Pashtuns will make history. Anyone who expects 35+million lars to join 15 million bars in a country with GDP less than 10th of Pakistan gives me pause. Do you think American mexicans would one day exit US to join Mexico?
In modern times it is the flag you salute to, the passport you hold and the anthem you sing that informs your identity. Do you think Shah Rukh Khan is Pashtun Or Indian?
Once again back on topic: If Pakistan was to re-engage with Tajiks especially some particular leaders in northern Badakshan ( I cannot be more frank) province then it may give Paks more Stragtegic Options and place their Central Asian policy on more even keel away from their pashtun hangover. Hence the need to develop Durrah pass to broaden trade links with central asians away from Pashtun badlands. Enough said.
Carpedium!!
Intriguing discussion premised on Afghan=Pashtun being peddled here caught my eye. What a primordial concept!
Fact that such revanchist philosphy finds purchase among bazaars of Hindu Kush is telling for 21st century nation trying to drag this land of miseries into something a bit more modern.
A superficial analogy was made here regarding Germans, Austrians, Koreans, Kurds & Persians. So if this gentleman was in USA then would he accept the primacy of English speaking Anglo-Saxons in America above all others? Good grief?
It is a testament to this august nation that this primitive argument was decided decades ago and anyone spouting such "eloquence" would be laughed out of his own head.
Just for Ha Ha.....If Afghan=means=Pashtun only (and others take a number to be allowed IN) then why is the official language of Afghanistan Farsi - read Tajik if you will?
And NO the Austrians do NOT call themselves Germans. They speak german but are Austrians; just as Americans speak English but are NOT English. Complexities of human existence.
Enough of this irredentist nonsense. Back to the topic; I do think there is much merit in Korasanian's argument in laying foundation for a broader ties between peoples of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and beyond. You share history, geography, some linguistic threads, and if smart can share billion$ in trade and commerce.
Originally when the Afghan "Pashtun" royalists were veritable puppets of Kremlin, they drank the communism Kool-aid with socialists in New Delhi, and then smoked the Pashtun Wali pipe with a special blend of Red communism with hagiographists of Bacha Khan in obscure tea rooms of Peshawar. In those times Tajiks had no better friend than Pakistan. In fact the Great Ahmed Shah Masood showed up in Peshawar as a student requesting "training" from Pak Intelligence. However, the lasting legacy of Soviet foray into south Central Asia was to seal the fate of Pashtun aristocracy in Kabul. Which allowed non-Pashtuns to become more assertive as well as allow Pakistani err, "Lar" Pashtuns to begin to contrast much more favorably against their "bar" cousins. Historically a prosperous and more numerous peoples have never quit a richer nation to join a poorer nation to be with their poorer and less numerous cousins but maybe Pashtuns will make history. Anyone who expects 35+million lars to join 15 million bars in a country with GDP less than 10th of Pakistan gives me pause. Do you think American mexicans would one day exit US to join Mexico?
In modern times it is the flag you salute to, the passport you hold and the anthem you sing that informs your identity. Do you think Shah Rukh Khan is Pashtun Or Indian?
Once again back on topic: If Pakistan was to re-engage with Tajiks especially some particular leaders in northern Badakshan ( I cannot be more frank) province then it may give Paks more Stragtegic Options and place their Central Asian policy on more even keel away from their pashtun hangover. Hence the need to develop Durrah pass to broaden trade links with central asians away from Pashtun badlands. Enough said.
Carpedium!!