It’s interesting to see support building for renaming..considering the MMA has shown interest in renaming as well.
NWFP be named Pukhtoonistan: Altaf
PESHAWAR: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Altaf Hussain on Tuesday demanded the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) be renamed Pukhtoonistan, saying it was Pukhtoons’ right to have their separate identity.
“If we want to save Pakistan, we have to rename the frontier province,” said Altaf, while addressing the Peshawar Press Club’s Meet the Press programme on the phone from London. He warned that renaming NWFP was inevitable and if the government failed to do so it might cost Pakistan’s geographical borders. “NWFP will be renamed Pukhoonistan — within or outside Pakistann’s territory,” he added. “Punjabis have got Punjab just like Sindhis and Balochis do. Why not Puktoons’ territory be called Pukhtoonistan. The so-called NWFP should be renamed immediately,” he said. Altaf said if NWFP was not renamed, the other three provinces should be renamed. He said the Pukthoons had their separate culture and language but their province’s name was what the British had chosen. “It is a pity that the establishment calls those who make such demands traitors,” he said. Altaf said it was difficult for an illiterate Pukhtoon to pronounce NWFP correctly.
Altaf paid tribute to Khan Abdul Ghafar Khan, calling him a ‘freedom fighter.’
The MQM leader claimed his party had never rallied to the army. Asked what MQM’s stance on the uniform issue was, he said it was not important to get involved in the debate.
“What is more important is whether Sindh, Balochistan and Pukhtoonkhwa are Pakistan’s provinces or not. We need to find a permanent solution to the uniform issue,” he said.
Altaf warned against delaying autonomy to the provinces, saying the time was ripe to start a campaign for provincial autonomy.
The MQM leader directed Federal Minister Syed Safwanullah to ensure that journalists have their own houses. Federal Minister for Communications Shamim Siddiqui, who was present on the occasion, told Altaf that the minister concerned would look into the matter. iqbal khattak Dailytimes
“If we want to save Pakistan, we have to rename the frontier province,” said Altaf
what the heck does he mean by that? call it puktoonishtan, pushtoonistan or pathanistan as long as they dont start demanding a a separate nation, it should be fine :p
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*Originally posted by 5Abi: *
what the heck does he mean by that? call it puktoonishtan, pushtoonistan or pathanistan as long as they dont start demanding a a separate nation, it should be fine :p
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Alas you were not in his cabinet otherwise you would have given him this advice. Stupid Nawaz's government made an issue of it.
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*Originally posted by 5Abi: *
“If we want to save Pakistan, we have to rename the frontier province,” said Altaf
what the heck does he mean by that? call it puktoonishtan, pushtoonistan or pathanistan as long as they dont start demanding a a separate nation, it should be fine :p
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“NWFP will be renamed Pukhtoonistan — within or outside Pakistann’s territory,” he added.
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*Originally posted by Zakk: *
It's interesting to see support building for renaming........
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Name is just a distraction. Let us have a referendum and pick one. I like Pakhtunistan, or Afghania. Afghania will ensure that Southern Afghanistan will feel just at home. I hope one day the whole Southern Afghanistan and Afghania will unite.
The real issue is to find out ways for improving business climate in the North and FATA. MMA has not submitted a new tax structure and measures to reduce "lawlessness" related to smuggling, arms-market, Talib infiltration, and kidnappings.
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*Originally posted by Zakk: *
..Altaf ....saying the time was ripe to start a campaign for provincial autonomy.
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Sure. Altaf and his party has set an example for creating world's best business and trade environment in Karachi. Areas under the influence of MQM don't have to give Bhatta, and non-Urdu Speaking feel at home. The rest of the Sindh should get the same autonomy. Sindh's educated elite are just waiting to spread their love in Karachi.
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*Originally posted by Zakk: *
...The MQM leader directed Federal Minister Syed Safwanullah to ensure that journalists have their own houses. .....
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Chaplosi is the main characteristic of our Altaf Bhai.
afghanis start jumping up and down as the naming of NWFP is discussed and start staking claim to NWFP as their own. By the same token, part of afghanistan should be handed over to uzbekistan, part to Iran etc.
NWFP compared to afghanistan is like switzerland compared to albania.
Someone should just slap some sense into Altaf anyways
This naming controversy is going on for a while now. I do agree that NWFP is not really a name (its just a geographic location) and like every other province the people of that province deserve a name.
What I am curious, though is who are the people who oppose the naming (re-naming) of the province, and why?
And if they disagree with Pukhtonistan or Pukhtonkhwa, then what are the basis for opposition and what are the alternatives?
If Pukhtoons are a majority, but some people don't want to exclude the rest of the residents of the province.. have totally neutral names been floated, like Khyber?
It’s not a good idea, it is discrimination against ethnic minorities living in NWFP. The same can be said about the other three provinces, they should all be referred to by their geographical locations.
I don’t even like the name of Afghanistan, they should give it a neutral name like Gandhara or something, but that’s not for us to worry about…
Technically every province can be called 'sarhad'. The word literally means 'border'. I can see why some folks there would get offended at being offered such a generic name. I was thinking the name should be more vibrant and colorful and evoke a nice image in the mind of the people.
If they want to rename it I guess they should.
But what about the Hinko speaking people?
But there really is'nt too much in a name. Call it whatever you like.
During the election campaign, MMA never asked for this, never brought it up in their manifesto and used this against the ANP, so they shouldnt be showing interest in the first place. As for Altaf, who cares what he thinks.
“NWFP will be renamed Pukhoonistan — within or outside Pakistann’s territory,”
The man knows, the man knows...wise words of the wise man.
NWFP will get its name there is no doubt about it. The tables have turned and Pakistani establishment will do what ever necessary to save its ass. Altaf is not sympathetic to Pakhtuns cause but the cause of Pakistan when he utters those words. It is a warning, that a nation asleep is being awakened by the power holders of this world. 6 million Jews can bring the entire Arab world to its knees with the help of these power holders; imagine what 40+ million Pakhtuns can do. We all saw what these Pakhtuns did with their help against the Soviets.
Renaming NWFP to Pakhtunistan or Pakhtunkhwa is in the best interest of Pakistan today, Pakistan has to take this bullet with a smile.
Right and the BJP is a secular party.