Understanding the Dynamics of Pakhtun Culture and the Process of Pakistani Nation-Building in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

The reason for writing this thesis is to present a distinctive analysis of the interaction of Pakhtun society’s culture with Pakistani nation-building process and pave way for the policy makers, academics and implementers to comprehend if this debate is based on nuances or more serious dilemma. This argument has primarily focused on the ongoing tussle between Pakhtun culture and state cultural policies. The nationalism process on both sides was found at crossroads, difficult to be bridged. The study has focused that how Pakhtuns have responded to the Pakistani nation-building policies and how much Pakhtun culture has altered due to these policies of Pakistani state. Pakhtuns have tried to maintain their autonomy since centuries and hold Pashto language and Pakhtun code of conduct supreme. Any economic, political, social and judicial nation building initiatives from Pakistan are seen as serious intervention to the core freedom of Pakhtuns. Pakhtuns in their response to state’s nation-building practices have used various cultural tools and practices ranging from literature and poetry to political activism to preserve and safeguard their identity. They have preferred their own cultural institutions in comparison to the state owned institutions to resolve their routine issues. The Pakhtun nationalists have also used various tenets of Pakhtunwali to prepare the masses to resist the state’s nationalism. Global economic pressures have self-alienated Pakhtuns forcing external migration and hunt for livelihood, also forcing the Pakhtuns to integrate in Pakistani state. Islamization policy of Pakistani state transformed Pakhtun society into intolerant and violent society. The imposition of Urdu language caused the suppression of Pashto language in public and official domains. The Islamization of Pakhtun society has destroyed the social fabric and tolerant environment that was once its landmark. Caught in such a complex situation Pakhtun youth has been caught in the whirlpool of frustration and blame Pakistan for the fiasco. Revival of Pakhtun identity in this environment of despair is a serious challenge and their leaders are unable to find a viable solution. This situation has caused a strange paradox where the Pakhtuns on one hand are striving for the revival and preservation of a distinct Pakhtun identity while on the other hand they are striving for economic benefits within Pakistani state.