In the rugged expanse of Pakhtunkhwa, where ancient tribal codes intersect with modern geopolitical strife, Pashtun nationalism unfolds as a tapestry of defiance, loss, and contradiction. At its core lies a philosophical quandary: how does a people, forged in the fires of colonial resistance and post-colonial turmoil, navigate the call for unity while grappling with the shadows of extremism? This is not merely a political story but a meditation on identity, sovereignty, and the human cost of ideological ambiguity.

The Awami National Party (ANP) has borne the brunt of this struggle, paying dearly for its unwavering opposition to terrorism. Rooted in the legacy of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan’s non-violent struggle, the party has faced relentless attacks.

Between 2007 and 2013, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan targeted ANP leaders with ruthless precision, assassinating figures such as Bashir Ahmed Bilour in a bombing that claimed more than twenty lives, and, more recently, the murder of Maulana Khanzeb in Bajaur. Hundreds of party workers fell during this period, a testament to the ANP’s commitment to secularism and inclusive Pashtunwali, the unwritten code of honour, hospitality, and justice. Yet even within its ranks, internal inconsistencies have raised questions about the application of progressive ideals.

In stark contrast, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, chairman of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, embodies the complexities of pragmatism in Pashtun politics. Once aligned with successive Pakistani governments, Achakzai’s pivot towards the Afghan Taliban accelerated after their 2021 seizure of Kabul. He became a vocal advocate for their regime, attending gatherings and urging global recognition and aid for Afghanistan under Taliban rule.

In May 2024, he met with Sardar Ahmed Shakib, the Afghan ambassador in Islamabad, to discuss regional politics, framing the encounter as a step towards mutual........

© The Friday Times