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Pashtuns oppose Taliban
Pashtun leader Jogezai denies Taliban Shura is in Quetta
By Ghani Kakar
2010-06-08
QUETTA – As Pakistan continues its fight against the militancy, Pashtuns — the people living in parts of the border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan — have come under fire.
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![Nawab Ayaz Khan Jogezai, convener of the Pashtun Ulasi Quami Jirga, tells Central Asia Online in an exclusive interview that Pashtuns have suffered from terrorism and oppose the Taliban. [Ghani Kakar]](/shared/images/2010/06/08/PakNawab-218_172.jpg)
Nawab Ayaz Khan Jogezai, convener of the Pashtun Ulasi Quami Jirga, tells Central Asia Online in an exclusive interview that Pashtuns have suffered from terrorism and oppose the Taliban. [Ghani Kakar]
![Nawab Ayaz Khan Jogezai, convener of the Pashtun Ulasi Quami Jirga, tells Central Asia Online in an exclusive interview that Pashtuns have suffered from terrorism and oppose the Taliban. [Ghani Kakar]](/shared/images/2010/06/08/PakNawab.jpg)
Critics denounce the Pashtuns for allegedly supporting insurgents, thus making the counter-insurgency more difficult.
Nawab Muhammad Ayaz Khan Jogezai, leader of the Pashtun tribe and the convener of the Pashtun Ulasi Quami Jirga, talked exclusively with Central Asia Online about some of the negative perceptions of Pashtuns as a nation and the struggle to overcome them.
“(The misperception occurs) because these foreign jihadi groups are using Pashtun soil for their aims and in the name of jihad and holy war, they are creating hurdles to peace”, Jogezai said. In his leadership role, Jogezai said he supports a united and peaceful Pakistan, and that terrorists and other troublemakers should be dealt with harshly.
The Pashtuns, he said, support peace and harmony, but are caught in a vicious circle that goes back to the war between the former Soviet Union and Afghanistan, in which Pashtuns found themselves in combat zones.
“The counter-militancy strategy can be successful in Pakistan if foreign militant groups can be targeted and weakened”, Jogezai said. But that policy requires the local population to “rise against miscreants and other anti-peace elements and (to) expel them from their land”.
One factor strengthening the persistent stereotype that Pashtuns back militants is the impression that tribal elders support them.
But, Jogezai called that argument “wholly a forged claim” and said the tribal population has always demonstrated a resolve to oust the militants and re-establish peace and security.
“But here I want to mention that in this strike against terror, hundreds of innocent Pashtuns’ lives were also ended, which is a matter of great concern”, he said.
Still, media reports say tribal leaders support such groups as the Afghan Taliban, an accusation Jogezai does not take lightly.
“I must say it is very irresponsible behaviour of those reporters to make such claims without any facts”, he said. “It should be clear that if tribal leaders were in such support (of the militants), then Balochistan would also be a place for the Taliban”.
The media also frequently report that the Taliban has an active shura in Quetta.
“Over and over again, this issue has come up”, Jogezai said. “But there is not any solid information that would make these claims accurate”.
The Taliban’s presence in Quetta has dwindled as Pakistan has ratcheted up its war on terror in the past few years, he said.
Even as terrorism has lost its grip in some places, it remains an issue, though. Indeed, Jogezai said inclusion of the Pashtuns in peace talks is something that has been missing from past efforts.
“The important factor that makes the strategic dialogue a doomed-to-fail exercise is the exclusion of the Pashtuns”, Jogezai said. “Pashtuns are directly affected by terrorism, facing and fighting this threat on a daily basis, but they are not considered by the leaders of the country to be worthy of representation at these talks”.
Calling such omission “hypocrisy”, he said this attitude indicates an establishment prejudice against Pashtuns, whom he called victims of terrorism and genocide.
He hinted that Pashtuns suffer discrimination as a minority.
Pashtuns live on land rich in water, mineral and natural resources, he said. “But they are deprived of access to these resources and have complete ignorance of the country’s political, economic and social decisions and policies”, Jogezai said. As a result, they are shunted into a life of “poverty, hunger and misery”.
A joint effort in Pakistan and Afghanistan will be needed to improve the situation for Pashtuns and for both countries, he said. Pashtuns in Afghanistan, too, face a struggle for their rights and status, he said. “But both Pakistan and Afghanistan are facing the common threat of terrorism, and because of this, (we need) a mutual strategy to eliminate that threat”, he added.
Besides that, though, education, culture, economy, language, society, family and environment all matter, Jogezai said. “Pashtuns must protect their interests”, he said.
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Reader Comments
i think the poinet taken by nawab saab is the base of problams .the person who can guide the people is nawab saab
if create a unity in ourself then there is no bullshit who come over us ........we should unite for our harmony for it if our head is required then will never bow it up....live as a khan and die as a khan
pashto pupal are different from Taliban, they like success in there life, they are the great nation of the world, they don\'t like fight whet other, but they are also don\'t like fighting of other. salam on all pashton and muslim pupal.
I may not agree with Nawab for most of his comments. He is also a part of a fuedal system where poor is deprived of many basic necessatities. Yes I salute Mahmood Khan Achakzai being a true leader of Pashtoons living in South part of Pakistan however Nawab has to start setting up a society from from trouble & favor giving approaches. A leader becomes a true leader when the people he leads are far happier. Most of our Nawabs & Sardars are living for their own vast fortunes they have build for their future livelyhood. Every one is against of terrorism & particularly the pashtoons strongly condemn their acts of terror however we have to look into the roots of their becoming terrorists. The only good reason is that they simply fill the vacuume created by powerfull people. I have a great respect for Nawab sb and I am sure he will continue the spirit of leading people in a more applicable manner.
Being a Pashtun, I would like to make it clear that Pashtuns are very proud, peace loving and religious people. Their religious sentiments are often exploited by the clergy.The Pashtun areas should be developed so that the people get more opportunities and improve their life standards.
I think nawab must call a grand Pashtun jirga among both the Pakistani and Afghan Pashtun tribes to solve out pakhtn problems
The Taliban are not the creation of Pashtun society, but the creation of the Pakistan army please understand the truth. Nungial khan
\"We have a great leadership withing ourselves, that is \'we the people\'\', stand up and take the lead it is time to move on, old tested rotten eggs are good for nothing, I see fresh young energetic blood is ready to serve country and countryman.I love peace and keep praying for the sustainable peace. Be careful sir I
I am your regular viewer but i dont, know why you people didnot mention my comments here, more then five times i placed comments but they were ignored, any how i must say good work indeed nawab sab spoken very clear and farwas wish he play his real role for the peace agenda.
Nawab jogezai said pakistani establishment is responsible for pakhtun probs but i am not agree with him becouse he is chewing words responsibilities goes to all leaders and he himself is the pioneer.
The biggest reason in my mind that named pakhtuns the helpers of terrorism is taliban,they are true peace killers.Nawab sab must work on the issue to cut-out this evil.
The biggest reason in my mind that named pakhtuns the helpers of terrorism is taliban,they are true peace killers.Nawab sab must work on the issue to cut-out this evil.
Yes you said very well nawab sab it is time for all pashtuns to kick out all foreign terrorists from their soild and should show the world that they done it.I think all question you asnwered here are briliant .thanks central asia for focusing on.
The honorable nawab of Pakhtoon tribes we salute your love for your nation.Atif shehzad from Kabul
out standing work nawab sab focused the true version of pashtuns
Nice work by both the Host and the Guest. And i do agree with all of you and the speakers points. but i have one objection. We are all and all love to talk and make some good wordy impressions. If we have some Educated leaders like Mr. Nawab. I have one querstion from Mr.Nawab. If you know the problem why dont you try to gather some other folks like your self and make a movement. The very first thing we have to solve is the educational and Economic issues. Second we have to come out of generation to generation leadership. I mean to let all the nation to participate in all feilds of Gov and Country. No more Nawabi. Khani or malaki system. these are the most serious issues to be addressed.thank you so much for your time to read my comment.
Pashtoonkhwa so-called leaders always opposed Pashtuns against non-Pastuns. They opposed Pashtuns Talibans and welcomed Uzbeks/Tajiks/Hazaras of Northern Alliance. They welcomed US forces (Christains) to root out & kill Pashtoons Talibans. Pashtoonkhwa welcomed Soviet Forces (Non-belivers/Russians) to kill afghans in the name of Pashtoon Mujahideen. If Pashtoonkhwas exsisted in the pre-history, it would have been supporting Halaku Khan and Chengez Khan against the Pashtoons. Why Pashtoonkhwa Party of Mehmood Khan Achakzai always support agressors/Pashtun Killers (Saamraj) They killed the Pashtoons of Balochistan by boycotting the NAtional Census in 1998 and did faour Baloch nationalists and Pashtoon beame a damn minority in Balochistan. We are not against PAshtoons and WE do support Pashtoon Talibaan agaisnt the Uncle Sam. Strickly against the Jogezai comment. My advice to Pashtoonkhwas......Action speaks louder than words.
Dear Mr Kakar, i read the intervieve carefullay, in That Nawab Sahib Explained the situation very truely and statesmanly manner. I would like to add my views accordingly,. 1, pashtoon societly is morely un educated, 2, they are unflexible amongst trible fueds and problems, 3, no central leadership is there now a days, 4, still the state authorities consider them that they are not loyal to Pakistan, 5, the relgious leaders are the pupit of the imperialist powers from the begining of british rule in India, They used the pashtoons against King Ammanullah Khan Of Afghanistan in 1930 and now they are still available for their interests in the region. my suggestion to all Pashtoons that carefully ,watchfully safeguard their intrests in this caos, throw the arms and take book. Thankyou every one.
Good work such personalities deserve to be interviewed and their nations ought to be aware that what their leaders thought and what is their look.
sounds well ,jogezai sahib you really deserve to represents your tribes.you have spoken very Imaginative
no pakistani leader can solve pakhtun problems without their unity i think pakshtun need to get in to loy jirga for it.
Agree with you .actually general Zia created all disturbance in the name of islam he established all militants groups which were used dusring cold war and now these elements using pakhtun soil for their agenda.
beside all this situation the need is to made peace and cought all taliban and others which are disturbing peace .I praise your work
Mr.Nawab said pashtun want peace so why did not they get togetter and play for it just whish can\'t achieve .hrrecruit menon
It is very simple i think main reason of disturbance in pakhtun araes is due to panjabiism who do not ever want pakhtuns in peace and they are alledging tyhem for anti-peac same as in afghanistan one commandor alleged his enemy commonder for having links with taliban ,and then in foreign forces attacks they were killed.
Nawab jogezai vision for peace is paramount .good work
Nawab ayaz is a great leader having great vision
I am on the view that it is misapprehension created by Western forces and foreign agencies.local people are not taliban neither terrorists they are committed to maintain peace in their home land as nawab ayaz sahib had define it very clearly i am wholly agree with him. Ejaz Khan Qila saifullah
I think in islam it is said that Jihad must be practiced against those who become threat for Islam but in situations where Islamic government supports such enemies then Jihad must be practiced against them for being part of the wrong side.But here it is so sad that in the name of jihad some elements are killing their muslim brothers how could they be described right. Their only name is terrorist and bid is terrorism.
I will mark It compulsory and a debt upon all pakhtoons to provide, moral, political and financial support to the heroes of their great nation.I like this reporting and hope that though your efforts pakhtuns will step farward.
Nawab Ayaz sahib is our great non violent Pashtun leader.I must say lets do better from now accordingly on his guidline becouse the world attention to pakhtuns has provided a golden opportunity for us to greatly enhance our struggle to wrench the people from the ubiquitous ignorance prevailing by awakening the peasantry,done great central asia online
Pervez Musharraf is the biggest killer of Pakhtoons because he propagate in the world that every turban man is talib and talib is a terrorist.God will ask him one day ,,,,,,,Nawab jogezai said very right that Pashtuns are directly affected by terrorism so how is it possible that tehy will support anti-peace elements.
I feel that a Loya Jirga would be simply a device to restore the Pashtun to power-an aim that traditional Pashtun certainly hope to achieve and this could only be possible if honorable nawab would initiate it.(Naik Nazar from kabul)
Everywhere in the world pakhtuns are under fire why whgo will answer this question in Swat karachi southern waziristan and other areas the tourists paradise changed into a virtual hell by the ill-devised policies of the Pakistani government and Taliban’s extremist religious agenda.Please for GOD sak leave pakhtuns to live their life peacefully.Nawab jogezaisahib said well that it is a farwar.i like your efforts
This situation is very worrying since few years we have witnessed the moving of the battlefield into Pakistan. I guess terrorists are those who are bombing the innocents in tribal areas is it the way to achieve i think not Mr.Nawab should himself initiate the movement instead criticism.Sangeen Afridi sawat
The viewpoint of nawab is good and i wana mention here that incursions by the US in pakhtuns areas will only increase distrust,hatred and more extremism, They do not understand the culture,religion or privacy of the people of any country.Taking a gun and using it against innocent civilians, should not be an option at any point in time.
thanks for sharing all about news from your country. what pity is about the peoples there whom are innocent. the articles is very clear 2 understant.
I am from korea its my first time viewing your site ,I found it very informative and farroeuting .as for as my openion to your report is consern so i thin it shows good work.please write on those problems also which are increasing from the illegal use of athourities in the world especialy in Korea where many things are laying out of tracks.
true and agree with Nawaab sahib coz pakhtoons are not anti-peace they are peace lovers but by conspiracies now they are known in different areas as terrorists.please paskhtoons brothers come to peace and harmony and bet-out all miscreants.good piece of writing
The most important thing is to aware the nation and i think this would be very nice if tribal leaders kick- uot all foreigners from tribal areas.Honorable Nawab sb i salute your description of national interest.
Like it very good work keep it up
Kakar sahib my openion for this report draw the immence appreciation for your quality of work all your team is doing great please keep writting on such issues .
I think Pakhtoons should themselves united first for their rights then they will be able to defeat terrorism in their populated areas.miscreant are using their sheltter which caused reactions.Nawab sb is a great leader If all pakhtoon carry on their strugle accordingly on his guidline am sure they will achiev their aim. Centra asia online is good site where we found quality of journalism.
its important to notice that
nice work kakar sb
disagree with you mr jogezai you said pashtuns want peace so i would like to ask is it peace to support taliban?????????
good work kakar sb\' i think you should also put a question on nawab jogezai as regard to peace jirga that why it is silent and not plying actively? i am your regular viewer all your news stuff sounds pretty good all the best
In this interview Nawab jogezai said that Pashtuns suffer discrimination as a minority.i think all this is due to leaders who had ignored the rights and being a head we expect Nawab sahib to come farward and call a peace jirga in pakhtoon areas for stablility and harmony.
I am a student of IR i think you have writter very nice. the main reasons beside terrorism in pakhtoon areas are unawareness first they ought to be educatd tribal chiefs should leave no stone in return of it.
Good work like it,the facts should be highlighted as are doing so
The Taliban is predominantly Pashtun and they are recruiting both Afghan and Pakistani Pashtuns to fight over 10,000 NATO troops deployed in southern Afghanistan. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. Pakistani Taliban leaders have also declared an Islamic state in North Waziristan, a tribal agency on the Pakistani side
True written Nawab Jogezai word of hypocrisy represents the whole situation. Those who are supporting themselves terrorists putting their crimes into the shoulders of Pakhtoons aren’t there Punjabi Taliban in Punjab why operation is not initiated against them just because of the that they are from Punjab and they have voice .sir please let the world know that paskhtuns are not those what they are blaming for .pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez
You people really doing great.i think all the authorities must get rid of this misunderstanding that all Pashtuns are talib.I am so greatful for this report that you shown world the fact.
Yes I think all such efforts will go waste unless the Pashtuns are given their legitimate rights.I must say you have chosen the very right leader to spoke on such an issue.like it
Yes I guess this perception is wrong becouse If the the Taliban were Pashtuns, how could they deprive their own people of their lives in such a painful manner?good work mr kakar
Dear All, It\'s good to know about www.centralasiaonline.com website.Pashtuns are central asian people.We support the efforts made by the team of www.centralasiaonline.com We would appreciate if you could please launch the website in Pashto langauge as well. We are also running a website www.pukhtunkhwa.com I want to exchange some useful information with you. Keep in touch with us, Thanks, Yasir Ali Bacha
Good Piece of work \'i think Nawab jogezai sb speeks very visionary the government of Pakistan seems not to take this matter serious to eliminate terrorists and their nests where they are nurtured. These terrorists are the guests of Pakistani establishment who have been serving them in a better way to destroy Pakhtoon/Afghans and to capture their land and resources for which they have their bad intentions since long
Agree with you ,I think It is right to destroy the terrorists, but these rules should be applied everywhere in the world .Central Asia online your efforts for peace and harmmony is adorable all the best your all team
Outstanding work, I deeply appreciate your efforts central asia online for proving the real journalism,Nawab sab in these talks introduced his great love to his nation thanks