Afghanistan

The Great Divide: Afghanistan, the Durrand, and the Ethnic Clash

Afghanistan is home to over 10 different ethinc groups ranging from the elegantly refined Tajiks to the legendary Uzbeks to the ever-elusive Khochi nomads to the warrior Pushtuns, and many other of worthy mention. Sadly, all these ethnicities, with their rich histories and deep cultural intricacies, have been categorized into two groups: Pushtun speakers and Farsi speakers.

Apparently this is a very important issue for most Afghans. The probability to further one’s career or gain higher positions sometimes can increase from being ethnically Pushtun. Currently most of the government of Afghanistan consists of Pushtun tribesman. What happened to the rest of Afghanistan? It seems that a bias towards one clan versus another has caused an unproportionate number of Pushtuns to gain admittance in Kabul University than most other ethnicities. This is not because they strive for higher education but instead a product of prejudice and Pushtunism.
Even representation of the populace has turned into a one clan one rule situation. Many ethnicities have been systematically persecuted and under-represented with even non-existant or virtual representation.
Pushtunism is a result of hundreds of years of Puhstun rule (monarchies) over an area roughly stretching from Afghanistan to the interior of Pakistan. Under the rule of Ahmed Shah Durrani 1747 the Pushtun tribes finally united and the Empire fell apart. The wars with the Rajput Sikhs lessened the influence of the Durrani empire and eventually lead to the loss of the Pakistan area of the empire. Throughout the ages, Pushtun tribesmen call for a return to Pushtunistan, the reunion of the old Durrani empire. This movement has proven to drive more conflict than unity by dividing the population between ethnic and cultural lines plus calling for the destruction of two sovereign nations Afghanistan and Pakistan in favor of an illegitimate autonomous state ranging from the south of Afghanistan in the mostly Pushtun areas to the near reaches of Peshawar.
Personally, I find this a little on the side of overly obsessive. The problem lies in rebuilding Afghanistan, not in trying to tear it apart. What is most appalling is the fact that instead of trying to focus on the future, they remain stuck on the past. On June 1948, Shah Wali Khan even announced that the tribal areas in Pakistan were Pakistan’s, and Afghanistan would lay no claim to it, and thus the Durrand Line was drawn. But still the Durrand Line in the cause of many conflicts. The Pakistan-Afghan Boarder is still not offically drawn with checkpoints or any kind of boarder security leaving Afghanistan vunerable in invasion by insurgents. The “Pushtunistan” supporters are against any offical move to recognize the boarder feeling that it will divide the people; its a boarder, thats what its for. It keeps the peace between two soveriegn countries. In order to keep the country secure, the lines must be drawn between the volitle Waziristan terriory and Afghanistan. As they continue to evade the issue, Afghanistan continues to be plagued by Taliban and Al-Qeada filtering in from Pakistan.
Considering the issue seems somewhat resolved, we often wonder why the Pushtun’s aren’t moving on yet. The boarder must be recognized and security must become the priority. It seems that the past even now, continues to play a big part in the future of Afghanistan.

Photograph of “Taliban fighters” by Hans Proppe (Copyrighted and reproduced by permission) you can find the real photograph here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shadowplay/74969157/

© 2008 Metropolis Lights.