Pashtuns nomads have been doing seasonal migrations between Pakistan and Afghanistan for centuries, moving to the low-lands of NWFP and Punjab during winters and migrating up north as far as Central Afghanistan in summers. But now with the increasing writ of states over border movements and moderanization, their ancient way of life is coming to an end. More and more nomads are taking to sedentary life.
In Peshawar, they are affluent tarders living in a close-net community and known by the name “Hazar Buz”. They are also called Pawindas.
They are physically very strong and tough people. As they are always in a sort of endless travel, it is said that a pegnant nomad woman will camp to give birth to a child and will resume her journey next moring again. They also strongly adhere to their tradition. Taliban government could dare impose “veil” on nomad women.
Pakistan has named some of its SSG units as “Powindas”.
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