It seems the MMA government in NWFP is preparing to do what the ANP failed to achieve, because of the treachery and backstabbing of sher-e-buzdil Nawaz Sharif.
I think there is nothing wrong at all with NWFP being renamed ‘Pakhtunistan’ or ‘Pakhtunkhwa’, if a consensus can be achieved among all the ethnic and political groups in the province.
The NWFP government would table the Pakhtunistan resolution for renaming the province in the coming session of the provincial assembly, a well-placed source confided to The Frontier Post on Friday. The source claimed that the MMA government had already completed the necessary homework in this regard and wanted to settle the renaming issue once for all. “And thus the resolution is on its way to the legislature,” he reiterated, asserting the measures would clear the House comfortably. Regarding the selection of the name, the source said that any appellation that portrayed Pakhtun identity and was acceptable to residents of the province could be chosen. He said that Pakhtoonistan was the most suitable name in this regard. About the Pakhtunkhwa title, the source said it had become much controversial and bore political undertones; therefore, the MMA government would opt for another name. In response to a query, he said that MMA government was more vocal in seeking provincial rights and autonomy than the so-called nationalist political parties. “The MMA wants to put an end to all catchy political slogans so that the poor masses are no longer duped by the old-timers who can go to any length for grabbing votes,” the source continued. He added the coming session of the assembly would be of great importance as Hisba Act and the Pakhtunistan resolution would be presented for passage. “The Hisba Act is also ready for presentation in the next session as the government is currently soliciting suggestions from various political parties on this important piece of legislation,” the source informed. The Pakhtunistan resolution, the source said, would also be discussed with political parties and like the Hisba Act, the government wanted to develop a consensus on the important issue. “We hope that all political parties would vote for the resolution to facilitate its unanimous passage by the House.” Renaming of the province would need an amendment in the 1973 Constitution and the MMA government would ask its high command in Islamabad to place the item on its agenda in negotiations with the central government after the resolution is passed, the source concluded.
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*Originally posted by fayax: *
Renaming it from the normally used NWFP is not a bad idea but I thought the actual name was always "Sarhad."
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Do you know what "Sarhad" means? It means frontier. To the people of NWFP, they do not live on the "frontier." Sarhad was never an actual name.
Just to add to this conversation and before someone brings up the presence of other ethnic groups. Please remember Sindh and Baluchistan are not predominantly Sindhi or Balochi. In case of NWFP, the population minus FATA is well over 70% pashtun. You can confirm that from the below link:
And all this dispute over the name is silly....who cares really. We should really concentrate more on providing necessities of life to the people there.
Does anyone know why Hazara district (Haripur, Manshera, Abbotabad, Wah,,,,,) is even part of NWFP?
It should be in Punjab or maybe Azad Kashmir one would think.
Besides that I would have no reservations with renaming NWFP to something more accurate.
Wah is not, part of NWFP. In case of Abbotabad, and Manshera, Masnehra is still predominantly pashtun. If ethnicity is a reason for ceding districts, youd probably hace to cede part of Attock and Mianwali as well almost all of Northern Baluchistan to NWFP
Hum Sa Ho To Samne Aaye: yup FATA is 99% Pakhtun..if you include FATA NWFP is 80-90% Pakhtun
[QUOTE] Originally posted by Zakk: *
Just to add to this conversation and before someone brings up the presence of other ethnic groups. Please remember **Sindh* and Baluchistan are not predominantly Sindhi or Balochi.
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Not quite the full story. :)
Sindh was (always) until 1947/48 overwhelmingly Sindhi, and only the migration of Urdu-speakers from India and others after that period diluted the Sindhi-speaking majority. Plus there has never been a movement by any non-Sindhi group in Sindh to get Sindh's name changed, and the name of 'Sindh' has always been accepted by all groups. So the comparison with Sindh is quite fallacious.
Now as far as the NWFP goes it has has long had settled areas inhabited by Hindko, Seraiki, Punjabi, Chitrali and Kohistani peoples etc? So the question is what do these people think about the renaming issue?
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Wah is not, part of NWFP. In case of Abbotabad, and Manshera, Masnehra is still predominantly pashtun. If ethnicity is a reason for ceding districts, youd probably hace to cede part of Attock and Mianwali as well almost all of Northern Baluchistan to NWFP
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I am not sure of that my freind.
Half my family is from the area and the population seemed to be largely Hindko speaking. This was doubly true if the Afghani refugee population of the area was not counted. But of course, I don't think of ethnicity as a major issue and can't see a harm in renaming the area if the actual majority of the province desires it.
Well the renaming issue is over politicised, changing the name of Attock and Faisalabad was done by decree for all intents and purposes.
Now as far as the NWFP goes it has has long had settled areas inhabited by Hindko, Seraiki, Punjabi, Chitrali and Kohistani peoples etc? So the question is what do these people think about the renaming issue?
When the pakhtunkhwa resolution was passed in I think '97. The only two MP's who opposed it were in fact pashtuns. What opposition there was to the resolution publicly was in the hazara belt mostly Abbotabad and Haripur. There was none from the Seriaki speakers, Chitralis, Kohistanis or the Hindko speakers of Peshawar and Kohat)
Half my family is from the area and the population seemed to be largely Hindko speaking
Manshera city is Hindko speaking, dominated by Pathans (people of pashtun descent but have adopted Hindko. The non pashtun population or hindko spekaers are sizable in Abbotabad and Haripur and are probably the majority.
Do you know what "Sarhad" means? It means frontier. To the people of NWFP, they do not live on the "frontier." Sarhad was never an actual name.
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When the pakhtunkhwa resolution was passed in I think '97. The only two MP's who opposed it were in fact pashtuns. What opposition there was to the resolution publicly was in the hazara belt mostly Abbotabad and Haripur. There was none from the Seriaki speakers, Chitralis, Kohistanis or the Hindko speakers of Peshawar and Kohat)
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I don't think those 'elected' members were representative of the wider opinions of the peoples of NWFP, after all that was a hugely flawed election that had probably less than 20% vote in NWFP? It would be pertinent to see some upto date facts about what the many groups of NWFP think about the renaming issue.
Sounds very good. But who is going to listen to us.
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They should listen to us. Renaming it as Pakhtoonistan or Pakhtunkhwa would create serious problems, and disharmony. Its not a matter of just renaming now, the predominant Pakhtoons in the province want to prove their might, thats it. However, personally I believe we should rename is Khyber, as that particular name would stand as a pillar of unity amongst everyone who lives in the great province.
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*Originally posted by Zakk: *
Wah is not, part of NWFP. In case of Abbotabad, and Manshera, Masnehra is still predominantly pashtun. If ethnicity is a reason for ceding districts, youd probably hace to cede part of Attock and Mianwali as well almost all of Northern Baluchistan to NWFP
Hum Sa Ho To Samne Aaye: yup FATA is 99% Pakhtun..if you include FATA NWFP is 80-90% Pakhtun
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Yes, lets not mess around with "ethnicity" oriented provinces. I think it's better to have a Pakhtun/Hindko in NWFP, Punjabi/Hindko/Seraiki divisions in in Punjab. Provinces with "pure" populations will turn into nationalist (separatist) breeding grounds.
The people of Attock, Pashtun, Hindko and Punjabi alike are happy being part of Punjab. There has been greater development, better economic opportunities and greater satisfaction amongst the populace. If you want to see ONE place where ethnic harmony has worked - it's Attock. Yes, I am biased having roots from the area, but go ahead and see for yourself :)
Well thats good to know. If your a Sindhi (for example), would you want your province being called Kinara (The coast)? Most likely not. Sarhad is a subjective colonist term no better than NWFP.
Afghania, Khyber seem to be good names. I find the fact that this issue hasnt been resolved, outright ludicrous. Lets do the name change by referendum, come to a consensus and move on with Industrial and economic development the province.