News Archives:

• Since 9/11 every day is 9/11 for Pakhtuns
  The fateful 9/11 marks a watershed in world politics and turned the whole world topsy-turvy, forcing many a countries to adjust their policies in the light of the Bushian war cry that either you are with us or against us. The event was, no doubt, a catastrophe, not only for those killed but for America as a whole. But it is Pakistan and particularly the Pakhtuns who suffered enormously. It seems a déjà vu and a replica of the murderous Soviet Russia’s
• analysis: Pakhtun diaspora: irresponsible and insensitive
  Rich Arabs in the Middle East are ‘earning’ a place in paradise in the life hereafter through never ending generous donations to the Taliban and the madrassas producing foot soldiers and a jihadi mindset on the Pakhtun land. They do not even care to consider that their ‘pursuit’ of a place in paradise is causing so much death and destruction
• analysis: The Pakhtun, the Taliban and Imran Khan
  Hate for the US is the problem of Imran Khan or his anti-Pakhtun allies. It is not the problem of the people of FATA. Their problem is occupation of their land by the international jihadi gangs. There are clear signs that the people of FATA are cooperating with the Americans in liberating their land from the jihadi occupation
• Peace per Pakhtunwali
  A generally-held belief says that violence is socially-structured in the Pakhtun society. It, however, does not interest us here to contradict this estimation as the situation on the ground seems to prove that. The point to be dwelt on here is to see if peace can be brought in the Pakhtun homeland through its culture — Pakhtunwali. Traditionally, Pakhtunwali is defined as the unwritten code of life, tribal law or constitution of the Pakhtuns. According to Dr Sayed Wiqar Ali Shah, it is "one Pashtoon’s behaviour towards another Pashtoon."
• Pakhtuns: The misunderstood nation
  The historic Pakhtun nation has long been stigmatized with fanaticism, extremism, vandalism, barbarism and violence. But there is no veracity in such a negative portrait of the Pakhtuns. They have happened to be a civilized nation of the world as is evident from their centuries-old social, cultural, political and religious history. Gandhara, the land of Pakhtuns, has been a unique example of religious pluralism and cultural diversity.
• India-A misnomer of Baharat
  During the pre- Aryan times “Sid” (meaning “to flow” in Dravidian language), was name applied by the dwellers of this country in its vicinity. This word was later on pronounced with nasal sound and became “Sind” just like many other Dravidian words as “Kuraga” in to “Kuranga” (monky) or “Laka” in to “Lanka” (Island) and so on. The word “Sind” was further corrupted in to Sind in to “Indu” by the Aryans, “Sindhu” is still in use in the interior of Sind is the name of the river (i.e. Sindhu- nadi).
• Death of a Khan
  Shamshir Ali Khan popularly known as Dr. Khan was assassinated in his native village on the eve of the holy day of Eid ul Azha, the day Muslims all over the world celebrate in the honour of the Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice of his son in compliance to the will of Almighty. God was pleased by his remarkable submission and instead of his dear son, the sacrifice of a sheep was accepted and from the day onward, Muslims sacrifice animals to commemorate this sublime event in the submission of God every year.
• Swat: some questions
  The assassination of the Awami National Party (ANP) MPA Shamsir Ali raises many questions regarding the Swat operation, largely thought to be successful.
• Paying the price
  The ANP has lost another legislator to terrorism. Dr Shamsher Ali, who represented the party from one of the seats it had won from Swat, was killed when a suicide bomber walked unchallenged into his home in Kabal tehsil and detonated himself besides the MPA. Two of his brothers were among the 13 injured. The fact that the bomber was so easily able to enter the house is a reflection of the dangers inherent in relaxing security cover. It appears that with the defeat of the militants in Swat there has been a dropping of some precautions
• ANP MPA Dr. Shamsher Ali Khan killed in suicide attack
  ValleySwat condemn the deadly attack on the ANP MPA, Dr. Shamsher Ali Khan, in Dherai Swat today with all the expression of grief and anger. The death of Dr. Khan is a clear message for those who speak.
• Islam in context
  Two major theories that explain the arrival of Islam in India are: 1) the religion of sword theory and, 2) the religion of persuasion. Each theory has its own advocates with abundant arguments in support of their viewpoint. It is, however, commonly agreed that Islam appeared in the Indian Sub-Continent long before the Arab military conquest of Sindh. In case of Swat, on the contrary, the introduction of Islam solely synchronises with Mehmud of Ghazni's sword
• Same militants, different aims
  THE link between military operations against the Taliban and subsequent retaliation against Pakistani forces and citizens can always be taken as a given. But there are variations. Military operations against the Taliban in Swat since 2007 elicited no serious reprisals outside Malakand division