Leadership Crisis in Pakthuns

Nearly 100 years ago, Kipling wrote "The Great Game: where Russia was in pursuit of warm water port; while Britain was determined to protect its empire on the Asian subcontinent. In this great game of chess, Pakthuns were used as pawns and it has been so since the days of Alexander the Great. However the pawns in this Great Game were not made from ivory or wood but real people of flesh and blood- who suffered and died but followed their dedicated leader in the time of crisis. This leader was no other than Bacha Khan, who like Mosses appeared on the murky horizon of Wild Frontier to tame his kinsmen with the message of unity and non violence by forming Awami National Party (ANP). Bacha Khan gave the message of peace to his people in a time; when violence and revenge was common practice of the day. For many he seemed a man out of his time to preach such message, however being resolute and unrelenting, Pakthuns rallied around him. It is said that the more a person becomes spiritual, the more realistic he becomes. Moses was called "the most humble" because when he stood before God he knew his place. Mullah Powinda and Faqir Appi launched armed resistance in FATA; but Bacha Khan knew this was no solution to Pakthuns struggle; he offered non-violent resistance along with Abdul Wali Khan, Ghani Khan and countless dedicated workers. Being a true leader of the people, he was humble and reached every nook and corner of the province to disseminate his message of peace.

Today history is repeating itself, as Great World powers are playing the same old game and Pakthuns are suffering and dying on the chess board of geo politics. Unfortunately this time Pakthuns are more divided due to lack of leadership. The War in Afghanistan provided an opportunity to Mullahs who ruined the province by launching jihad against their own people; ANP took over the charge with great expectations but failed to deliver anything. It is normally argued that the problem in the NWFP and FATA are regional issues that cannot be solved locally. The issue is not global or regional; it is the problem of all Pakthuns that has to be solved by reaching to grassroots. Today Pakthuns are being killed senselessly on both sides of the border on various pretexts. What has ANP done to solve this crisis? Despite being an elected government, ANP officials are unreachable, hiding behind doors and windows, reluctant to meet people and dependent on petty bureaucrats. Mullah failed to provide genuine leadership, ANP despite its tall claims of secularism is slipping down the road losing its charm not only among ordinary Pakthuns, but many of its dedicated followers are distraught due its numbness in the political arena.

ANP chief, Asfandyar Wali Khan has the spark of leadership, but who is next after him? Chief Minster Hoti is a young and energetic leader; there were lofty expectations that he would bring many Pakthun intellectuals on one platform, unfortunately he seems to rely on a petty clique; whose sole purpose is to misguide him. Pakthuns have provided an opportunity to ANP to prove itself as the party of people. The main agenda of ANP in this time of crisis should be to rally Pakthuns from all over the world and use their skill and potential for the sake of people in order to survive as a political power- which is not happening.

When Pakthuns had true leaders such as Sher Shah Suri and Ahmad Shah Abadali; they were ruling India. Leadership is not about building castles in air; nor is it listening to sycophants and falterers; instead it is reaching the common man and solving his day to day problems. Pakthuns are in crisis and there is a clear vacuum of leadership that needs to be filled by fresh blood; failing which will be betrayal of our forefather´s dream. The ANP leaders have to ask themselves; can its bankrupt policies lead Pakthuns anywhere? It is time for ANP leadership to ponder over its mistakes and unite all Pakthuns especially the young and energetic Pakthuns from all over the world to strengthen itself and provide true leadership in this time of crisis.