Burqaposhx Pakhtunistan was popular amongst those “socialists” and communist sympathisers but now in the 21st century its being directed or indirectly aided by America and its allies in Afghanistan. Im not sure what the powers that be want from Pakistan exactly but a Muslim state with limited or little or even no clout would probably be the best bet. Political Islam and Unity amongst Muslims is seen as a threat and the seeds of nationalism and ethnic/regional exploitation have been planted in us creating rifts and potential regional conflicts.
Ethnic, linguistic, sectarian and religious conflict dog South Asia west to the Middle East. Pakistan itself is not severely troubled by it but the ill feeling can easily be exploited. Pashtuns have come a long way since the 1970s. They are integrated economically and politically in Pakistan. They have some influence in the power structure unlike their brethren in Afghanistan who hold less clout even though over 50% of the country.
There are 2 reasons why Pakhtun nationalism occurs:-
1. NWFP not given its fair due
2. Pakhtuns considering themselves a distinct ethnic group
The 2 major Pakhtun nationalist parties ANP and PKMAP both play national roles in issues of national interest.
Nyfella of course the whole Pakhtunistan issue is a distraction. Politicians in Pakistan are from rich families and they don’t have issues of jobs, wages, survival, food, clean water, health so they focus on issues which would be considered a luxury.
Shadan your right - you cant stop the will of a people if it changes and governments and empires have changed so much over the hundreds of years.
Ammarman 7 – I don’t agree its in the interests of Afghanistan to join Pakistan as they are politically very different to Pakistanis.
LOTD your right – Pakistan is seen as a threat to American hegemony. I disagree with you when you say many educated Pashtuns want their own state and the sentiment is rising. Over the last few decades pashtuns wanting their own state have almost disappeared and in fact more and more Pashtuns have settled in other parts of Pakistan for jobs.
A
When Pashtun areas both in Afghanistan and Pakistan are combined, they make 0.5 millions (5 lackh) square kilometers. Pashtuns are only 42 millions and most of this area is uninhabited...much of this land can be developed into agricultural land...In fact there are many crops, vegetables, and fruits in which Pashtun areas have competative advantage over others...Moreover, many rivers (e.g. Kabul, Helmand, Kunar, Swat, Panjkora, apart from many other small rivers) have their headwaters in Pashtun areas or flow through much of their course in these areas... and Pashtun areas are neither getting their share of water nor can utilize it...
As for Tarbella, the powerhouse is located in Sawabi...and much of the rivr bank at Tarbella is inhabited by Jaduns, Yousafzais, Mashwanis, (Sarikote, Ghazi, etc.)...
But Pashtun areas can themselves be converted into virtual power-houses ...the entire length of river Kabul right from the mountains of Mohamand Agency to Kabul provides dozens of sites for big and small dams ...similarly, in Kunar, Swat, Dir, and on river Helmand in Kandahar, Gahzni numorous power-generating facilities can be constructed...
Further, in Karak and southern districs, there are huge deposits of natural gas discovered...Besides, Tajakistan is keen to sell its electricity at a very cheap price to the neighbours...Moreover, Pashtuns can directly purcahse gas, oil from Middle East and Central Asia etc. ...that is why oil is three times cheaper in Afghanistan than in Pakistan...reason is Pakistan buys oil from international market and sells it three times the international price to people just to feed the army and meet its defense expenditure...Pashtuns wouldn't have the white elephant called Army(which is what makes Greater Baluchistan scenarios attarctive to big powers).
Anyhow, I am not saying Pashtuns should seperate but nationalistic sentiments ar really on the rise in Pashtuns especially in young people and ultimately, when they see Pakistan cannot or is not willing to bring normalcy and development to their areas but is rather using these areas to play geopolitics and divour billions of dollars, they may opt to walk out...especially when global and regional powers also have interest in it...