Pashtun Homeland Cannot Be Pushed Further Into War, Says Khushal Khan Kakar

KARACHI: Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party (PNAP) Chairman and Member of the National Assembly Khushal Khan Kakar has said that the Pashtun homeland cannot be pushed further into the flames of war, while describing calls for the creation of new provinces as an attempt to divert public attention from the country’s real problems.

He was speaking at a condolence reference organized by the Sindh chapter of the Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party at the Karachi Arts Council to mark the fifth death anniversary of national martyr Usman Khan Kakar. Former Senate chairman, Pakistan Peoples Party leader and prominent lawyer Raza Rabbani was the chief guest.

The event was attended by leaders and activists of nationalist, democratic and progressive political parties from Sindh and the Pashtun homeland, as well as lawyers, intellectuals and people from various walks of life.

Khushal Khan Kakar said it was a matter of satisfaction that the fifth death anniversary of Usman Khan Kakar was being observed on the historic soil of Sindh. He described Usman Khan Kakar as not only a leader of the Pashtun nation but also a strong voice for oppressed nations, marginalized people and democratic forces.

He said Usman Khan Kakar had spent his entire life raising his voice for the rights of oppressed and marginalized people at Parliament and every other forum. He also highlighted his services for promoting unity, mutual respect and joint struggle among the Pashtun, Baloch and Sindhi peoples.

Speaking about the situation in the Pashtun homeland, Khushal Khan Kakar claimed that the political system imposed in the country had taken the form of severe authoritarianism and was worse than previous periods of martial law.

He said the Pashtun homeland was currently suffering from violence, terrorism, conflict and fear. He alleged that militant elements had been brought from Afghanistan and settled in the Pashtun homeland under state policy in August 2021, and that different policies were now being adopted against the same elements.

He stressed that the people of the Pashtun homeland could no longer bear the burden of further wars or experiments with state policies.

Khushal Khan Kakar also said Pashtuns living in Sindh were citizens of the province and had the right to full protection of their lives, livelihoods and businesses. He termed the imprisonment of Ali Wazir political victimization and urged nationalist parties in Sindh to play their role in securing his release.

Rejecting calls for the creation of new provinces, he said the Pashtun people should not be further divided and that their national unity and historical identity should instead be recognized.

Raza Rabbani Pays Tribute to Usman Kakar

Speaking at the event, former Senate chairman Raza Rabbani recalled his time with Usman Khan Kakar in the Senate and described him as a fearless, courageous and outspoken leader who raised his voice for every oppressed person.

Rabbani said Usman Khan Kakar was not only a leader of the Pashtuns but also an effective voice for all oppressed nations and marginalized communities. He said Kakar always presented his position fearlessly in the Senate and did not succumb to pressure.

Rabbani said it was painful that a good friend and colleague was no longer among them, but reassuring that his political and ideological followers were continuing his mission.

Commenting on the country’s current political situation, Rabbani said democratic institutions and the constitutional system were under severe pressure and that circumstances had emerged that had rarely, if ever, been witnessed in the country before.

Rejecting the ongoing debate over the creation of new provinces, Rabbani said provinces were not merely administrative units but also represented the identity, national unity and historical status of nations.

He said proposals to create provinces on the basis of divisions or districts could weaken the historical identities and national unity of different peoples and divert public attention from the country’s genuine problems.

Leaders including Sindh Progressive Party Acting President Gulzar Ahmed Soomro, Awami Tehreek President Wasand Thari, National Democratic Movement’s Muhammad Sher Masood, former PPP MNA Qadir Mandokhail, Awami National Party leader Hamidullah Advocate, PNAP Sindh President Syed Siddiq Agha and Southern Pashtunkhwa President Nasrullah Khan Zere also addressed the condolence reference.

The speakers paid tribute to Usman Khan Kakar’s democratic struggle and reiterated their commitment to continuing his political legacy.