So for the government to honour pakhtuns they should sacrifice the identity of Chitralis and Hindkowans? They have been overall far more loyal to Pakistan and have never shown any allegiance to other states at any time.
I dont know why Pakhtuns cant accept a neutral or more multi-cultural name? Its the 21st century. For the last 11 centuries there has never been an ethnic name associated with the region - why now?
There are manymore important ways to mainain your identity not just those cosmetic changes.
Oh lord not this again! Pakhtunkhwa was a name chosen under democratic means. When ANP was elected, Pakhtunkhwa was part of its platform - all eligible voters Pakhtuns, Chitralis, Hindkowan etc voted their choices, so why complain?
Pakhtunkhwa is the real name of the region before that it was Gandhara. Please don't even bother posting some paper by a self-serving Hindko speaking "anthropologist" or social scientist. Essentially Hindko speakers are more linked to Proto-Punjabis than they care to admit. Sure there might be a few Pakhtun tribal lines that may have been hindkoized but who are you guys fooling, your linkage with Punjab is much greater. And there is nothing wrong with that.
Let me explain:
Seraiki speakers: Transitional between Punjabi and Sindhi.
Mirpuri, Potoharis ("Azad Kashmiris"): Transitional between Punjabi and Kashmiri
Hindkowan: Transitional between Punjabi and Pakhtun
What is the common thread here? Punjab. I am not here to rob you of your identity or imply that being linked to Punjab is a bad thing but both genetically and empirically its there.
With that being said Hindko speakers are welcomed part of Pakhtunkhwa. No one is talking about usurping rights or alienating minority groups. There is no movement to change Baluchistan's name (becuase it is 21st century) despite a significant Pakhtun minority, so don't fret over any marginalizational issues.
As for patriotism, don't forget a certain direct referendum where the Pakhtun populace came out in favor of Pakistan.