Brain And Hand Drain In Pukhtunkhwa

[fatima Ahmed]

BRAIN AND HAND DRAIN
IN PAKHTUNKHWA

By Fatima Ahmed
fatimakhan7699@gmail.com

Khan! Khan!Khan! Hurry give me a corn. I watched as school children huddled up around the teenage boy selling boiled corn in front of a private school in Rawalpindi. All were demanding to be served first as it was a short break in the classes during school hours. After a few minutes, all was quite as the kids went back inside the school. I had come to drive my elder sister who had been summoned to the school by her son’s teacher. I wandered close to the young boy selling corn and asked for a corn too. Intrigued by his bright shining eyes and casual confidence, I asked him about his age in Pashtu. Encouraged by hearing his mother tongue, he told me that he was only 13, but felt happy that he looked close to 16, his name was Umer Gul and that he belonged to Bajaur. He was doing this job since last two years while staying with his uncle, who sells fruit and lives in the Kachi Abadi close to Sabzi Mandi in Islamabad. Umer Gul earns roughly RS.2500/-, part of which he sends back home to his family to take care of his 6 younger siblings and ailing mother. As I left, I glanced at him once again and felt a pang of hurt and guilt. He was the same age as my nephew and looked as full of life. I just wondered! What is he living for in this far off land? What is his future? Why isn’t he at school like other kids of his age? Umer Gul is not the only one. There are hundreds of young Pakhtun boys roaming in the streets and bazaars of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Karachi etc selling corn, glasses, vegetables, fruits, polishing shoes, cleaning cars and so on. While driving back home I kept thinking how to describe this phenomenon. The first term that came to my mind was brain drain – but that hardly described it; after a while my mind came up with the term ‘Hand Drain’! Yes that probably describes it better. But how could one explain ‘Hand Drain’?
Classically brain drain is considered as the flow of educated and skilled people from their home countries/regions to foreign lands in pursuit of better jobs, however in case of our region this classic definition can not be applied. In fact in the case of Pukhtunkhwa and its people, this phenomenon is epitomized as a drain of both skilled and unskilled hands, mostly youth with devastating consequences for the social structure and development prospects of the society. The brain drain here has been supplement by the flight of semi-skilled as well as unskilled youth which can be termed as ‘Hand Drain’. The reasons for this phenomenon are multifarious; chief among them war and conflict, political unrest, social disharmony, and absolute lack of any prospects for economic and social development. Particularly the civil war like situation in the Pakhtun lands since the last three decades coupled with the absence of any economic activity at present or any prospects of that happening in the foreseeable future has resulted in manifold increase in the volume of young people leaving their homes for far-off lands. This phenomenon has had a tremendous effect on the social and cultural life of our region. While some of these effects have been positive, some asymmetric trends have had devastatingly negative effects on the lives of our people.

The first wave of hand drain after the creation of Pakistan came in the early 50s and 60s when scores of young people left their villages and hemlets for the city of Karachi and to a lesser extent the urban centers of Punjab like Lahore, Pindi, Faisalabad and Multan etc, in pursuit of jobs to survive. The chief reason then was that these urban centers were experiencing an economic boom spurred by the state’s economic policies while their own region was completely neglected in this phase of industrialization of Pakistan. The movement of people from our areas to Karachi and Punjab has continued ever since, as has been the economic policies of the state to exclude our region from the economic and infrastructural progress. Resultantly we now find that the greatest number of Pakhtuns live in Karachi alone-more than 3.5 million i.e. much larger than any of the cities in the core Pakhtun cities like Peshawer, Mardan, kohat, Bannu and even Jalalabad, Kabul and Qandahar. The result of these demographic changes can be easily analysed in the backdrop of the events of 12 May 2007 in Karachi. The unskilled people migrating to these cities have been engaged in lower-end jobs like drivers, laborers in factories, chowkidars, office boys, peons, hawkers and even garbage collectors. Socially they have been at the lowest rung of the society and confined to slums exemplified by Landhi, Kemari, Banaras, Pathan colony, frontier colony etc. These kachi abadies as they are called by the elite of these cities can be easily termed as ghettos: dirty, dense, over-crowded, without any basic facilities like drinking water, schools, hospitals, community centers or anything of the sort. They are excluded from the mainstream social life of the cities and are excluded from political say in the affairs of their areas; that being the exclusive domain of the educated elite and business class. In case of Karachi these elite classes are themselves also migrants from various parts of India, but taking advantage of the state policies and better access to education and business, have emerged as the affluent class. Over the decades, the Pakhtun people have permanently settled in the city and make an undeniable part of it. They have progressed somewhat economically, educationally and socially due to the seepage effect of the economic development. Spurred on by the media explosion, relatively easy access to education and global emphasis on human rights, they have of late become more aware of their rights and started demanding their rights as equal citizens of the city, which the traditional power holders are averse to accord them. Their contribution to the development of their home region ‘pukhtunkhwa’ may be limited economically, however they derive their political strength from their home region and in turn give the political forces here considerable say in the affairs of that city as demonstrated by the current events. The same anology can be extended to many cities in the Punjab too. Lahore and Pindi/Islamabad have considerable Pakhtun population, who live on the social and economic periphery, however being less in numbers; they do not have any political strength to voice their concerns and are thus destined to live in the same social, economic and political oblivion. All these migrant groups have contributed somewhat to the economic life of their home region, however on the negative side they, having been polluted by the Punjabi/Indian culture have also brought these cultural and social influences to their home towns and villages thus contributing to the decay of Pakhtun social values.

[fatima Ahmed]

Article Continues!

The second wave of migration of unskilled people from our lands has precedents in the 1960s and 70s, when the oil boom in the Gulf region spurred movement of large waves of un–skilled, un-educated labour from South Asia and specially Pukhtunkhwa to the Gulf. With a relative expansion of access to education to the semi-urban areas, the phenomenon was also transferred to the educated youth. This phenomenon also had wide scale effects. On the economic side it resulted in the flow of significant amount of money into our villages and towns. While it did contribute to the raising of life standards of many families and some exposure to the outside world, it also brought some negative influences. Firstly in the absence of any government policy for economic activity, infrastructure development, education facilities, investment and industrialization, the cash flows found uses in negative spheres like arms, drugs etc. For example the cost of property spiraled because of this. Today the cost of normal agricultural land in places like Dir and Swat is exorbitant, pushing the locals further into poverty. But the most devastating social effect of this was the increase of Arab influence. Having been exposed to the distorted political and social structure of the Arab sheikhdoms, these uneducated people returning from the Gulf brought along extremist religious tendencies in addition to social and cultural values which they hardly understood but fondly copied in the spirit of religiosity. This was further confounded by the increased influence of the Gulf Sheikhdoms in our areas on the official level during the Afghan war in the 80s and 90s and the obvious state patronage in an effort to use religion for political purposes. The visible result was the mushroom growth of ‘madaris’ and the ever increasing influence of ‘Tableghy Jummat’ in Pakhtun society. This contributed in disturbing the traditional social and political balance, giving unprecedented political and social influence to the fringe clergy and undermining the make-up of the Pakhtun society.
The recent ‘brain and hand drain’ of the newly educated generation is spurred on by a combination of economic, social, and political factors. Some common causes, both internal and external are given below.

a. Some of the internal reasons which encourage brain drain are as under:-

(1) The fundamental are economic reasons - non availability of career prospects forces even our educated youths to seek better future elsewhere. Everybody wants better wages, better health facilities, retirement benefits, facilities for education of their children. In the absence of any such incentives in their home towns and villages; those who acquire education spending hard earned money of their parents, want to leave in pursuit of better lives in other countries.
(2) Due to a variety of reasons, the social balance in our society has been disturbed to an extent that people want out. Everybody wants to live in a better social environment with peace, freedom of thought and expression, social harmony and justice. Nobody would like to live where a few people with different social and religious beliefs want others to live according to their dictates. The recent events of threats of keeping beards, not wearing western dresses, selling, using and watching CDs and videos etc are just small examples which can be considered as the tip of the iceberg.
(3) Law and order situation in our areas is precarious. The government institutions have failed to provide any security of life, property, provision of justice, while the traditional mechanisms of Pakhtun society for the same have been completely corrupted by the outside influence.
(4) Another major reason is political stagnation. With no institutional structures intact to ensure political rights and adherence to established human values, persecution, ethnic and racial discrimination is at its peak. Rather than waiting for eternity for a just system to evolve; the educated people want to go where they have political rights and can seek justice while pursuing their lives.
(5) The capacity in our region to absorb educated youth is negligible. Neither is there any industrial infrastructure to absorb the educated/skilled people currently, nor is their any hope for investment in industry, infrastructure, education, services, tourism etc in the future. Most of the educated youth thus either gets absorbed in Punjab and urban Sindh, where they live in social, political and economic subservience to the elite, or opt to go abroad to seek better lives for themselves and their families.
(6) Even in the existing economic infrastructure capable of absorbing the educated and semi-educated people, there is no respect for merit. Hence only those with access to the corridors of power get jobs commensurate to their acquired skills; others either wither away in petty jobs or seek to go abroad. The situation is further confounded by lack of linkages between the education and existing industry, red tape, favoritism and cronyism in the absence of institutionalized mechanisms for job creation and absorption.
(8) Lack of hope in future is the prime cause for disillusionment. Failure of the state to regulate and reform itself for the benefit of all its citizens and confinement of all the economic activity, development and social/political focus to a part of the country has induced a sense of hopelessness in the youth. People are fast loosing trust in the long term viability of the system and want to leave for better prospects before its too late.
Continues next.............

[fatima Ahmed]

Article Continuues.............

b. Some external reasons for the recent wave of brain drain are as under:-

(1) Globalization has made the flow of skilled people from one country to another much easier. Now it is much easier to access the job markets abroad thus reducing the uncertainties for the families. Modern means of communication and transportation also aid the phenomena, making it easier for people to travel and communicate with their near and dear ones while living abroad.
(2) Greater awareness due to spread of knowledge among the educated people has resulted in more people seeking to emulate their colleagues who are abroad, enjoying better lives and living in peace.
(3) The modern media has virtually altered the concepts of time and space. Real time access to information in any corner of the world means people find it easy to adjust abroad while remaining in touch with the circumstances of their ancestral lands. Media also exposes the youth to the better lives and better economic, social and political conditions of other nations, thus engendering in them a desire to be part of that instead of languishing in the stagnated environment at home.
(4) The Developed World encourages Brain Drain in developing/underdeveloped countries because they rely heavily on skilled migrants from these countries for their development. Easy and frequent movement of people across borders is thus encouraged by the west, who wants skilled people to migrate to their countries for their own interest. But they very skillfully regulate and control this process, especially after 9/11, to ensure that no undesirable people get through to their countries with obvious repercussions for their societies.
(5) Multinationals now working around the world-encourage ‘brain circulation’, meaning that workers form one country will be working for another country in the factories while sitting in their own lands. Also they provide opportunities for their employees to move to different countries where there services are required or can be more beneficial.
(6) Spread of technology like IT, internet has had an enormous effect on the society as a whole. Although this has not seeped through to our areas fully, yet the effects are fast appearing. Skilled people find it easy to access job seekers abroad and willingly go abroad to seek better prospects. Loosening of social and cultural bonds in our society also has had effect on this phenomenon. Today we find parents more willing to send their children abroad for better education and jobs. Although the family structure has not broken down completely, however it has loosened enough

How can we reverse this process is the question that we need to answer, if we want to progress as a society. “Capable people will move from low-opportunity areas to high-opportunity areas”. Therefore we have to create opportunities in our land and promote people who are young and ambitious. But the effort has to be a simultaneous and not sequential one. A pre-requisite to all this will be peace and political independence. How to ensure that is a different debate but following are some of the broad issues that need to be addressed to reverse the process:-

a. Simultaneous addressing of all issues like political stability, Social justice, building of institutions, Law and order and Provision of Justice is a pre-requisite to address this issue. Institution building process must start immediately to ensure harmony and offer mechanisms for addressing complicated issues.
b. Broad Based and universal access to education - the existing system of grooming only the elite through elitist institutions will be counter productive. The current education budget of 4% of GDP is pea-nuts, and even of that only a fraction is spent in our areas which require the most investment in education.
c. Development of Infrastructure which can spur economic activity is a priority and has to be addressed through a thoughtful planning process
d. Investment in Industry- particularly in medium and small scale industry is likely to arrest the trend of brain and hand drain but for that there has to be de-centralization of powers and control of own resources which is again a political question.
e. Social Justice and rule of law will ensure that the youth retain the hope of prospering in their own areas, in turn helping in the economic development of our land.

[spinsahar]

a very good, in-depth research and keen interest in the plight of pukhtoons' today make this peice a great work.
the anaylsis are very uptodate and the roots are traced down to the bottom.
an excellent work. keep it up.

[farhadyousafzai]

Hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Fatima khoray............der kha ....Da nor khalaq khu left na derkawi...khu himat ma bailay...................... khair dey..bas nor karuna prigday..da likal kha kar deyyy.....................

[zar qurban]

Good Work,You have done a good research.Pa Qalam de Barakat sha.

Farhad sb da left right khabara mo rogha da ,malgaro la pakar dee che appreciate ye kii.

[Breshna]

This is absolutely remarkable! Fatima khoray haddoona dey wokra! You have taken your knowledge, experience, time and energy to put forth an excellent article. Well done by you!

May your gift in writing continue to speak out as a voice for all of those who are in need of your talent, like our young Pakhtun wrorak Umer Gul from Bajaur. Khorey, I appreciate having had the opportunity to see through another person’s eyes as to what is happening in the area of poverty among our youth and their living conditions and how these conditions change their lives . . . for one by robbing them of their childhoods and forcing them to take care of their hierarchy of needs for themselves and their loved ones.

Zamma zre pa Umer Gul bande der zyath khappa sho. It gave me an answer to a question I had and that was, “Why were the children back home much more mature than the ones here?” The answer I found in your article, being they are forced by circumstances to stand up and take on tremendous responsibilities; they have no choice but to leave their childhoods behind. He, (like countless others) has such a heavy burden of a handful of people resting on his narrow shoulders.

I felt a hard pinch in my heart when I read that Pakhtuns mainly hold “blue collar” jobs largely because, “the traditional power holders are averse to accord them” anything better. This, in the current situation makes it virtually impossible to have progress for our Pukhtuns and our nation. I have a strong belief once we have our own independent Pukhtunkhwa nation, that “when” (not if) we come together as one, those who collectively live there and those who live abroad together, we Insha’Allah can and will overcome this injustice. We have strong determined and motivated people amongst us. We must come together in order to break out of the current, stagnant life. Allah de tolo Pukhtano la itifaaq warkee.

Please Fatima khorey keep on writing, you do make a difference and you will be amazed at how many hearts your work will touch.



Pa dranawi,
Breshna

[fatima Ahmed]

Breshna khoray, Zar Qurban, Farhad, Spinsahar wronro................First let me thank u all. It really helps. To be honest I didnot do any particular effort to write this. It is just a matter of opening our eyes and looking around..and trying to help...which you all are doing...Getting things down to writing is just a mere theoratical exercise......

PS. Next time I am going to ask Umer GUl................Why do the kids call him KHAN and how he feels about it? Can someone throw a light on the fact that why are the Pakhtuns called 'Khans' by the Indians........??????????

[DawezayMomand]

Wonderful analysis, Fatima Khor! Please keep the good work up!

[fatima Ahmed]

I was just wondering..has any one got any idea of the numbers/statistics of Pakhtun expatriates living and working in the Gulf region? And their social,economical,political conditions. Or may be any clues on the overall statistics of Pakhtuns working and living outside Pak/Afghanistan?

[zar qurban]

I was just wondering..has any one got any idea of the numbers/statistics of Pakhtun expatriates living and working in the Gulf region? And their social,economical,political conditions. Or may be any clues on the overall statistics of Pakhtuns working and living outside Pak/Afghanistan?
According to one of estimate 400,000 pushtun expatriates living in the UAE.
Joshua Project statistic are given below :
UAE:
Population in this Country:
:312,000 (Northern Pushtun,Afghan).
: 146,000 (central Pushtun,Afghan)
: 37,000 (Southern Pushtun,Afghan)
Total Pushtun in UAE :
http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php?rop3=107748&rog3=AE

[fatima Ahmed]

Zar Qurban Wror thank you for the input......but still it is very rudimentary. Hope someone comes up with more sources.

[Zahid Buneray]

Maa sara kho statistics neeshta but kala che ba pukha da mashoom shoonda shna shwala no da "lyla" pa zai ba ye da Karachai sochoona deer kawal che "da kora sanga pat sham, halta ba Ruckshaw chalawoom.

Now when a child grew up, his parents start looking for his visa in order to send him abroad in Middle East.

Actually, now Middle East visa is considered as "GREEN CARD" for un professionals and uneducated people and os khaza hom be da visey na pa grana sok chaa la warkawee.

Althugh, it is not revlivent to the academic discussion, I will tell you an event of my friend, his mother and sister.

A friend of mine working here in Middle East was telling me that once his mother told him to go to such family and inqure about their status because, the wish to engage your sister.

My friend went there and found everything reasonable except that the " Boy" was in Saudi Arabia. He came and told to his mother that I am not agree to the proposal and I don't want to engage my sister to the boy who works in Saudi Arabia.

His mother strongly opposed that idea and said; That's the only plus point in this family. Nor pe sa kawoo. Jenai ba khushala wee.

But for professionals, I think, Pakhtun land has now more scope to adjust them. Now our youngsters are selecting IslamAbad and Peshawar instead of Karachi even.

Once my organization asked me to hire some Midical staff from Peshawar. I went and discussed this matter with many professionals. They were laughing.I can easily say that those who did not go aborad are more happy in the region and they earn more than those aborad. But those who are aborad, they can't adjust theirselves over there as what a member of this forum once decided to go to his homeland because, he was having enough amount.

After few months, he emailed me and said;

Zahida; Pukha ba khalko waial che Musafaree da ospano neeney cheechal dee, kho za waiam, pa Pakistan key nasta da ospano neeney cheechal dee. He left soon again.

[Zahid Buneray]

I was just wondering..has any one got any idea of the numbers/statistics of Pakhtun expatriates living and working in the Gulf region? And their social,economical,political conditions. Or may be any clues on the overall statistics of Pakhtuns working and living outside Pak/Afghanistan?

I can't help from here as few Pakhtuns are able to registered theirselves in Pakistan or Afghan Ambasseies.

However, so far the Pakhtuns of Gulf Region are concerned, they are socially strong and they are helping eachother on traditional basis.

Politically, they are not much active due to the specific conditions of this region, however, most of Pakhtuns are inspired by either nationalism or religius groups and you hardly will be able to find someone follows PPP, PML etc. Afghans are divided exactly like in Afghanistan but all of them are stund Pakhtun nationalists and strongly opposing "Dari Speaking Afghans".

Most of Afghans of "Afghanistan side" are contractors and economically well established. You can observe this status while you are setting with "Hawala or Hundi man". They usually digging wells and in constructions.

Pakhtuns of lower Pakhtunkhwa are mostly employed and working on salary basis. They can't be consider stable economically. They hardly save (most people) around 8000-12000 Riyals and spend it on vocations with the marriages, constructions back in home etc. If they spend six months vocations, then they have to borrow air ticket to come back.

But one point is most important to be mentioned here and it should be taken on high priority that those who came abroad since long, they are completly unfit back in the society. Someone can observe them while they are setting and talking in Hujra Jumaat. They are not aware of the gradual changes of the pakthun society and mostly are blackmailed and misused by their family members. You can call them "sadaguls" easily.

The antoher important point which should be taken in negative catagory is the "children" who are growing up un productive and in some cases worse to the society.

If my post was considered relivent, then I can proceed onward.

[daurangir]

Breshna khoray, Zar Qurban, Farhad, Spinsahar wronro................First let me thank u all. It really helps. To be honest I didnot do any particular effort to write this. It is just a matter of opening our eyes and looking around..and trying to help...which you all are doing...Getting things down to writing is just a mere theoratical exercise......
Graney khorey Fatimey, salamuna au der der umbaaraki pa dasey qisma mazmun, kam che da Ph.D. da thesis na kam nah dey! :thumbup2:
It is really difficult for majority of our co-nationals to write a few paragraphs on a serious topic, let alone a lengthy atricle like yours, which is loaded with facts and figures. It shows a keen observation of the poor puxtuns here in Pakistan as well as in Middle East.


PS. Next time I am going to ask Umer GUl................Why do the kids call him KHAN and how he feels about it? Can someone throw a light on the fact that why are the Pakhtuns called 'Khans' by the Indians........??????????

The Puxtuns call themselves Khans and Khan is the 2nd part of the name of almost every Puxtun, that's y the "Indians"(hah!:icon_biggrin: ) call us Khan sahib and the Westerners call us Mr Khan. Why can't v part with this decadent title which is not even the word of our language, but an alien word. It is a Turko-Mongol word and it has nothing to do with us now that so many centuries have passed after the Turk conqueror Mahmud Ghaznavi first conferred this title on the Afghans in his army for their valour. V claim to have a language older than Persian, but have no word of our own to honour ourselves. We r fond of self agrandizement without having the proper logic to substantiate that claim. We blame others for our failures. Is it a mature attitude? Just a few centuries ago we were making empires in India, Iran and Turkistan, besides our native Afghanistan. And now v r Polishyaan, tsaokidaraan, kalinderaan, driveraan, chaprrasian, powdder farosh, and worse, powderyan.:ashamed: :ashamed:

We should b thankful that the others call us just Khan or Khansahib. We deserve worse than that!!!

[Khan Baba]

But I will blame only Pukhtuns for it. Why should we tolerate words like "Khan Saab". Khan is still OK but these langmars are using the word "Khan Saab" just to ridicule them.

About the Polishyan, poderyan etc, I think Fatima Khor is working on the project to find better future for poor Pukhtuns, and Insha Allah we all will support her.

[spinsahar]

But I will blame only Pukhtuns for it. Why should we tolerate words like "Khan Saab". Khan is still OK but these langmars are using the word "Khan Saab" just to ridicule them.

About the Polishyan, poderyan etc, I think Fatima Khor is working on the project to find better future for poor Pukhtuns, and Insha Allah we all will support her.


Ameer saib you are absolutely right even one should be not happy with the word Pathan instead of Pukhtoon. I always argue when some body calls me a Pathan, and I tell them that I am a Pukhtoon not a Pathan.

[daurangir]

Grano, these individual arguments will lead us to nowhere. We must equip ourselves with knowledge and start making such societies which shall make specific agendas and the members must then wholeheartedly strive for the attainment of the goals of the societies. We must stop discussing useless things like the origin of Puxtuns ( this should b left to experts ), hatred of other races, blaming others for our misfortunes and such like things. We must become serious with our causes and goals, but we must not lose our unique sense of humour.
we must read histories of great nations of 20th century, if not beyond that, and the biographies of heroes of other nations too.

[fatima Ahmed]

Originally Posted by fatima ahmad
PS. Next time I am going to ask Umer GUl................Why do the kids call him KHAN and how he feels about it? Can someone throw a light on the fact that why are the Pakhtuns called 'Khans' by the Indians........??????????

I didn't want it to be a subject of controversy. It was just in a lighter tone.
However getting back to the subject... I wanted to ask peoples with some links to farward their statistics, facts and figures if any on the expatriate Pakhtuns, their social status, communities organisations, earning levels, poltical state etc living in the various countries.

Origionally by Zahid
If my post was considered relivent, then I can proceed onward.

Zahid wror your input is highly appreciated..........please go on and also encourage others to contribute. I propose to write a detailed article on the Pakhtun expatriate. I am interested in covering the following asapects:
1. Their statistics
2. Social, poltical and economical conditions
3. Their educational and income levels
4. Their assimilation and resultant changes in the host country/society
5. Their future prospects
6. Their level of devotion/ dedication to their home countries/nation

The aim of this article will be to comment on the potential of the expatriate Pakhtuns/Diaspora to help the Pakhtun cause in the many fields liker:
a. Education
b. Social development
c. Buisness
d. Political awareness
e. Media
e. Projecting the core issues on the international level to offset the negative propaganda.

Hope my humble endeavour will get your attention folks........................Lets do something more than just discussing weather we are khans or Pakhtuns or Pashtuns................not that these are not important..BUT WE NEED TO MOVE ON

[GHARIBUL WATAN]

Fatim i worked for couple of years in Middle east. i have seen pushtoon Sirayeekee and few balouch doing toughest jobs there. in my opinion pushtoons and sirayeekee are extremely exploited in Pakistan so in foreign land this continue.
the realy problem starts when our illiterate pushtoon buy "visa" for the price 6 times higher than real price and he worked for three years just to pay the visa amount after three years he has to renew the visa and pay again the same price. arab call us pathan and Punjabi call us khan sahib. capitalist has no faith no matter if they are muslim.
the real dream of pushtoon in UAE is to become a taxi driver he spends a lot to get licence for that. visit family at minimum after two years. most came empty handed from abroad. some are deceived by VISA FAROOSH( AGENTS).

[fatima Ahmed]

Gharibulwatan wror...............really apreciate your input....For a change at least you have brought out one fact very clear.
That we are treated equally badly by the Punjabi and Arabi................both the ardent supporters of Muslims in rheotoric.................But then Islam is just a tool..
This leads us toone conclusion cleraly...................that fighting in the name of Islam like the Taliban is useless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Would you agree??????????????????????

[GHARIBUL WATAN]

khor i am against the occupation of Afghansitan. i am of the view that NATO should leave Afgahnsistan quickly( NATO KILLED 6,50000 IN IRAQ AND 50,000 IN AFGHANISTAN). ONCE NATO LEAVE AFGHANISTAN THERE MUST BE FAIR ELECTION AGREED BY ALL POLITICAL PARTIES.by that time Taliban should show flexibility and join main stream politics either by forming political party or join any existing group. Punjabi ISI,IRAN, SAUDIARABIA,TUKMANISTAN, ETC should not iterfere in the internal affair of afghanistan and i wish and dream this happen but sister as long the US and NATO is there and taliban are fighting against them then I support Taliban's struggle and resistance.

[Zahid Buneray]

Part One:

1. Their statistics
2. Social, poltical and economical conditions
3. Their educational and income levels

No statistics of Pakhtuns available yet. If there is some “Fatiha or laas Neewa”, musical concert , any one of both the Pakistani and Afghan embassies or consulates or if you visit to any of airport, then one can see the huge presence of Pakhtuns in that city. In 1995, principal of Pakistan International School Jeddah told me that there were 12000 students attending this school but Pakhtun ratio was understandably very low. Now, as there are many Pakistani schools everywhere, so one even can’t help through school data.
Salarzai tehsil of Buner contains on 12 main villages, If we take rough idea,we can easily say that there are above 800 members of this tribe working here. Average is 66 per village only in Saudi Arabia but out of these approximate 800 populations, around a dozen will be in business, in which only one having large scope of business. Not more than a dozen having 50 to 60 thousand incomes per year. A dozen has their families with them and their kids are going to school. There is enough number of graduates and under graduates working as ordinary family drivers or such types of jobs. What to talk about UAE, Malaysia, USA, UK, Germany, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar etc.
If we take an example of Pakistan International School Jeddah, hardly 20 Pakhtuns are working out of 400 school staff. Let’s take an example of Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah were non officer can be hardly found. In Riyadh, there is only one. In officers, we can exclude this as they are coming on deputation from Pakistan.
Although, this data is not favorable in the sense of standard of living, but still due to the code of Pakhtunwali and society, working status did not affect a Pakhtun social status in Pakhtuns.
But if we look into the neighboring tribes Ayesha zai, they are too less here and most of them are in Malaysia and Brunai. Gadaizai area comparatively to its population is less than our ratio. So it is nearly impossible to predict on it especially when government of Pakistan and Afghanistan are unable to provide their official correct statistics of the Pakhtun population over there.
We can classify the expates in gulf in two categories; those came from the urban areas and those related to the rural or remote areas.

People belongs to the cities are much educated and since they grew up in commercial atmosphere, keeping their vision while working abroad, so that being skilled and educated, they are having much income and having strong social contacts here and back in the home country and such contact are helpful to both the individual and society.
However most people coming from villages due to poverty, without having any skills, proper education and ideas. In one hand, they usually go for the low paid category and on the other hand, they have left much financial problems back in the family too. The situation always stress and press them to keep send their earnings to the families so that they can fulfill the needs of the daily life easily. Such circumstances are not helpful for them to think on other angle and hard conditions of life never let any poor Pakhtun to save their incomes for productive planning. It is also to be noted that when we are talking on there families, In most cases, it means “joint families”. This joint family status also one of the reason not letting some one to get stable conditions through his services, labour and earnings.
If someone luckily gets any chance to have some sort of savings, having sense are even helpless due to the local rules and regulations. Those who are having some ideas and wana avail their selves are not satisfied with the local market unstable policies. They are practically not able to face any danger in business. Many of us are also un-aware of the gradual changes of local policies due to the WTO process. Here one can’t start a small business as and one even can’t sell vegetables in front of a mosque for half an hour. Legally, one can’t afford huge capital to invest. These are practical complications in front of the common person in the gulf. However, Pakhtuns are besides the above said facts are struggling too hard to invest in transport where policies allow them to make owner ship. They also interested to have small shops and mini markets, also interested in hotel business but here they suppose to depend on locals and nobody know that if the local see the business running very well, one day he will appear with strong hand and it will cause this investor on road with empty hand, because. Any foreigner can’t run any business in this way.
The key to the success in the business is the citizenship or business licence in this region and Pakhtuns are not able to fulfil the requirements or not updated with the recent changes in the rules and regulations.
A new law allows expatriates to take citizenship on point basis which includes, long term stay and high professional status. Both are toed to each other, those Pakhtuns having long stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia having not enough professional qualifications to meet the requirements. Those having much skill to have a license can’t provide the desired capital.
There are always exceptions. Dr. Sher Ali is the owner of one of the leading private hospitals and a clinic in Holy Makkah. He always keep maximum of his staff from Pakhtun area. He is not only a very good physician known all over but a very good businessman too. So far I knew him, he was a very good Pakhtun always saying to the people; I am Sher (tiger), I am Ali and I am Khan. But due to the permanent stay here, his youngsters born and bread with locals and at the price of wealth and fame, they are losing their real identity.
Dr. -ullah is well recognized physician here with Saudi citizenship. He is one of those who arranged and run ministry of health since the day one. Now he is enjoying his local status and practicing in his own center but I did not find know that he was Pakhtuns unless this man wearing three peace dresses did not introduce himself in Pashto after dealing with him for a Year.
However, we should not forget to mention the people like Nabi Bangash who is a business man, now a days having AVcom (AVT Khyber Gulf), presides Pakhtun walfare society in UAE and having strong contacts with nationalist movement and Feroz Afridi in Qatar, having reasonable status but giving much of his energies to the betterment of Pakhtun society and culture.
As we will discuss onward, like other social organizations, Pakhtun experts and successful business individual should set some type of social gathering or institutes to bring non-skilled energetic Pakhtuns to business. I saw many Bangladeshi individual gathering money and buying small shops.

This situation is same in the countries like Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman too. However, those running business in UAE are mostly using this country like Peshawar and Karachi. They are not staying there on permanent basis and so that it is very hard to put them in the category of expates. Those having expatriate status are same like other Gulf countries or probably worse than them in UAE due to the high rent houses and tough competition in the labor market.
Some guests, coming to visit my office from UK, Canada and USA are of the view that life of expatriates in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain is much better than those in Europe and America. This is tension free life, having many opportunities and fewer liabilities including that related to tax payers. This is look like a tax free zone. However, due to our own greediness and habits, local sponsors are taking benefits from us like we the Pakhtuns are those ready to pay the high amount to buy visa, then we are ready to agree on the conditions that we will pay even 5,000 Saudi Riyals or Emirate Darham on the renewal of Resident card. On the other hand, the visas of India, Bangladesh and Philippines are either available for free or having token prices.
One thing is unavoidable. Pahtuns young worker is moving now towards technical job too. Almost all the telecommunication companies are hiring Pakhtuns for their installations. They are paying them attractive packages. However, this skilled group will be seen in future.

this part continues

[Fayyaz Sherpao]

Wonderful analysis, Fatima Khor! Please keep the good work up!
FATIMA KHORAI DER KHA KAR MO SHORO KARE OOS YE SAR TA ORASAWAY PLZZ. DER AALA DE. GOOD JOB PLZ CARRY ON.

[MandoKhail]

US and NATO is there and taliban are fighting against them then I support Taliban's struggle and resistance.
Who were taliban fighting before NATO and US? why NATO and US is there?Who are Taliban? who is the master mind?
Mr GW..Don't pretend to be innocent and unaware of facts..Only ISI has a problume with NATO forces in Afghanistan and taliban(not all) are thier brain kids..As the time is coming NATO and US will apply more pressure on pakistan there you will observe something..FO statment,Taliban statement, and some ppl in internet world..One motive,one Target.

Hey GW we Don't eat grass

[Nokia_Afridi]

HaHa GB pa dwaro khpo Sallotona.........

za da Mandokhail lala khbara chay mung kho wakha na khuru da

ta sa khuray chay Dumra rekhya khbaray lekay ?.......

Dalta da Rekhtya na Chalegey ......na ya Khalak Maney:ashamed:

[daurangir]

FATIMA KHORAI DER KHA KAR MO SHORO KARE OOS YE SAR TA ORASAWAY PLZZ. DER AALA DE. GOOD JOB PLZ CARRY ON.

Sar ta rasaval a os da zvaanaano kaar dey. Fatimey kho article olikah... and everything is now hunky-dory. Domra nor trena nah kegi che yao bal article oliki. Bas ghaley naasta da che tsok pe tabsirey kai?!!:rolleye:

[Zahid Buneray]

Continued from part One

We were addressing to the social, political and economical conditions of the Gulf based expatriates including their educational and income levels.
To conclude this part, let me say that socially every Pakhtun is considering himself a King or Khan as what Ghani Khan wrote somewhere. Whether he is rich or poor, in home or outside of homeland, he never ever gets nerves on in this regard. However, expates are having much influence in society being a feeding party to their relatives and having sensitivity on issues. If trained and guided, they can be used for positive changes because they are mostly sincere and understandable. Generally, a common Pakhtun earns 18000-22000 per year in Gulf but a small part of these earnings are going to savings. If this common man saves 10,000 in a year, he already had many planes to spend it i.e. On construction of house, marriage of sons or daughters or if he has any surplus, he will definitely go for the purchase of property in his village on his arrival after two years.
He is being considered as “achoot” in Pakistani diplomatic missions where a class fourth servant doesn’t talk to him in good manner, whereas an ambassador of Afghanistan comes to him in “deera” making lunch and dinner amongst them. This may be one of the reasons Pakhtuns do not bother about or having not much interactions to Pakistani communities, societies or organizations. They feel much comfortable within their own circles of Pakhtuns who know and understand each other.
In PIA, they are being treated baggers. Although, this behavior is somehow equal to the interior Punjabi passengers, most of Pakhtuns prefer to use other airlines.
They have their own literary and social organization fully run by Pakhtuns and if we take an example of a welfare organization, it works like insurance or co-operative setup which compensates them on many issues. If asked, I will explain in details. “Deera” is the place which works like Hujra and home and almost every Pakhtun expatriate in Gulf depend on it.
They have special areas on each city known for Pakhtun dominated areas sometimes having bad name for illegal activities like fake certifications but these areas are not worse and populated like where Africans, Bengalies or Indian resides. It is also interested to be noted that all the mosques of Pakhtun dominated areas are going house full on the time of prayers but in Ramdan, while fasting, Pakhtuns run to their residents and Bengalis comes to set in mosques to have free fasting facilities. Once I asked a friend running a dera, why we people are trying to stay in the old streets of the city? He said that it is not the monitory based issue. Actually, these streets and homes were left by locals as they are now residing in posh areas, so Pakhtuns nature being unable to stay isolated, they prefer to stay here so that they are feeling free and independent setting, laughing and waking in these streets openly.
If you enter to a populated dera, you will find, some people are setting in a room watching TV, few are cooking, some are in corner for private chat, people setting in main or drawing room discussing politics or some events of area, in anther room their will be meeting of like minded political or literary workers. Six or seven people will set in a car going to bazaar. One will make naswar, another will wash the cloths and some of them will try to sleep but will participate in discussion too. There will be some guests among them too. There will be telephone callers shouting on phone and you’ll see someone setting a side lonely thinking so deep.
When we says, Pakhtun’s issues and conflicts couldn’t be solved the way, the rest of the world do, because, this nation has different psychology and politically, every Pakhtun is a top leader having their own views and solutions for the issues related to them. He hates President Musharraf just because; he can’t run state affairs without the well of USA. He dislikes Benazir Butto just because, being a women, she should set at home. He has strong objections on the politics of Nawaz Sharief because he was unable to face prison in politics. If he supports Mullah Omar, it is because; he is having enough courage to face the super power. He likes Hamid Karzi being a Pakhtun but having strong objections that why he relies on Non-Pakhtuns or Farsibans? If the news bulletin breaks that 100 Iraqis killed including 3 American soldiers, they will praise those killed Americans ignoring the rest of 97 locals. If they hear some Pakistani soldiers were killed in conflict in tribal areas, they promptly comment; they would be Punjabi soldiers.

I will give you some examples of a common Pakhtuns’ views in politics.
An ex-Afghan mujahid from Gul Badien Hekmat yar group was arguing with me here in the days, when Taliban were attacked that the real super power was Afghanistan. When I asked how, he replied that if we consider USA as super power, there is only one country which is challenging its monopoly and that’s Afghanistan. So in this way, Afghanistan should be considered more powerful in logics. He uses to tell me the stories of the “golden days” of Hemkatyar’s Hezbe-e-Islami era, when they entered to the capital of Kabul. Besides all these issues, he was a stunt Pakhtun and against Pakistan’s role who sold Afghan blood repeatedly.
A Pakhtun old man was setting in Hujra participating on global politics. There were discussions on war on terror. Suddenly he said; “Bush is not this much a powerful man, someone should give me way to enter his office, I will teach him a real lesson. This quote is now very famous in nearby villages.
Pakhtun are opposing NGOs because he has perhaps known of those men and women working for such organizations that they did not show their selves as symbol of reformers. Exactly like old comrades, they are doing in contrast. Probably this may be the reason when Maulana Fazlullah speaks anything about such issues, they praise him. During the Lal Mosque conflict, most of Pakhtuns were in view that government should take fast action to close this chapter but they were praising Ghazi Abdul Rasheed for his bold and clear views while accusing his brother escaping in borqa recalling his out spoken statements Jihad and attacks.
I disagree to Fatma Ahmad as what she wrote that some people are leaving their homeland just because of the religious extremism. I don’t know anyone, (excluding Nawaz being a Punjabi or Kashmiri) including those opposing openly such movements, that they have some fears of life from them. The successes of such movements are just because, they are talking on the tune of a common Pakhtun. On the other side, all attempts made by organizations, supported by foreign elements failed just because, they don’t know how to appeal to the well of the masses?
Gulf based Pakhtuns have full access to the media and are aware of the ups and downs of the region, they are discussing and analyzing it. Although, they might be not full aware of their Hujra, Jummat and village affairs, but while talking to them, they are having full command on national politics. I was asked by many Pakhtuns why Asfandyar Wali Khan was addressing in English in parliament or that whatever Qazi Hussain Ahmad is but he is a bold man acting like a real Pakhtun.
All the political parties, either unable to convey their message in the tune that Pakhtun or there is strong contradictions in their ideology and actions. This situation put Pakhtuns in political parts and they have valid questions by asking MMA and ANP that how they talks on provincial rights and Pakhtun issues if they their selves announces URDU as the official language of their province, whereas Mr. Butto was a real Sindhi nationalists who put SINDHI as national language for SINDH announcing sindhiology institute. Besides such questions and discussions, a common Pakhtun is diluting their mother tongue with the mixture of Arabic illiterately.
Just yesterday, a Pakhtun from Khwaza Khila came to set with me in hotel asking me; “Ta pattan ye”? I replied, I am a Pakhtun but shocked to hear the man from Khwaza Khila don’t know the difference of Pattan and Pakhtun. He was saying that after spending three years here, his father also objected on this “language” in home when he asked to bring a bag of cement calling it “kees” in Arabic.
Once a person of my area got injured and was admitted to hospital. I visited him and asked formally; how did it happen? He replied;
“pa raseef walar woom, musammar me takkwahal. Nasapa hashab maat sho, ao za hkata pa halta key rartao shoom”.
(Raseef stand for “qawaza”, Musammar for mekhoona, Hashab for largay and Halta for khooshta seemat.)

[Zahid Buneray]

Coming back to the track, a Pakhtun expatriate can’t ignore the situation of his home country now he thinks about extreme solutions. For instance, lie is always considers too bad in our society beside the fact that everybody do that. However, when they see their leaders and rulers comes on media and so badly and boldly telling lies, a common Pakhtun just pass bad comments on them. Locally here, they are much united and participating on each other’s functions and politically makes interested arguments.
Although, Politics is “shajar-e-Mamnooa” in Gulf, Pakhtun use to take part in Pakistani and Afghan politics. But they use such activities as part time or just to entertain. They don’t have the rights to vote back in Pakistan or Afghanistan. Religious parties tried their best to hold Pakhtuns into their fold through Dars-e-Qurans, but in vain. Yes, the elite expatriate group of Pakhtuns has inclination towards such parties but there are other valid reasons of interests for it.
Once Jumaat Islami arranged a Dars-e-Quran in deera-e-Salarzi. A “Kabalay Mullah” was asked to give daras this day. While giving his speech of interpretation of the holy book, he strongly objected on the question that Mohammad Ali Jinnah was the one who created Pakistan and he paid strong tributes to Bacha Khan in this regard. Later while talking to him personally, he strongly criticized the role of Pakistan in Afghan conflict and said; “Punjab pa dey lanja key da Pukhano na tarekhie badal akhlie”. This was the same statement of an Afghan chanay/Moazzan of our village mosque in the beginning of Afghan conflict.
Most of social and political workers belongs to Nationalist movements are depending on literary and cultural activities. They have their literary organizations where they gather masses. In Saudi Arabia, Pakistani or Afghan missions do not have their community centers, so that such activities take place in hotels, deserts or private community centers of Arabs. Here in Gulf, we can find class one poets, singers and musician.

Once a religious man came to me and asked for some Pashto software & Fonts for his computer. When I asked why he needs the Pashto writing software, he said that he is actually translating an Arabic Islamic book into Pashto. The said book was on the basics of Islam. I argued with him that he should utilize his ability in some fruitful translations like Arab literature is full of scientific and more valuable books. Anyway, the outcome of the argument resulted like this that he was updated with the common and accepted way of writing of Pashto language instead of that similar to Urdu.
Political societies keeping their contacts with central command and they are getting much respect in Pakhtun political circles back in home land. Pakhtun expatriates are really very sincere in this regard that when they find any educated Pakhtun, they visit them, try to hear them and giving them much respect but most of such people wish to stay in privacy.
Dr. Khurshed Alam was UK returned medical specialist working with King Khalid Hospital Riyadh. While he was in that city, he had spent most of his time educating Pakhtuns politically. He was trained by the leaders like Ajmal Khattak, he use to talk non stop mostly for 12-14 hours on issues. In his time, Pakhtuns in Riyadh were mostly politically too active.
Pakistani leadership often comes to Saudi Arabia and UAE and so far Pakhtun leadership is concern, they are giving enough time to expatriates for question and answer session.
But one last thing which I wish to tell that related to the question of education. This is really a touching question. In Arab countries, education doesn’t secure you in the terms of earnings. My be this situation is only related to Pakhtuns because, they are not being hired as educated person from Pakistan or Afghanistan, so you can find many most educated people working on labor status and also can find uneducated or semi educated people on high status jobs.
I was introduced to a Wakeel sahib who was working as construction labour here.
A friend of mine asked me that a doctor sahib came here on the visa of a construction labour and looking for a sort of help in ministry of health. That was good that he was accepted to appear in local exam and he passed it.
A person having many western degrees but luck never helped him out, so that he was working as secretary on 1500 per month till last year.
My father was not having any sort of education but he was working on very good position with a Greece company and was paid handsome packages.
While folding this chapter, let me inform you that Emirate driving institute in Dubai hired two Pakhtun female instructors which show that now there is enough demand of driving licenses by Pakhtun women.
This may be necessary to noted if not seems funny that Gulf based Pakhtun expatriates are also causing STD to their families. Many years back, a survey report conducted by some organization in Peshawar shows that most of HIV infected patients were either returned form Gulf or their family members. In these patients 97% were from Dubai and 3% from Saudi Arabia. These statistics are not reliable because, I did not fully remember the digits as I just recall an interview of health official on BBC radio Pashto service. But it is quite sure that Gulf based expats were contributing more in Sexual transmitted diseases.

[Naeem]

Zahida wrora, dair alla, dair kha aow malumati lik woo!

[fatima Ahmed]

I am delighted to find that things have been moving on this front while I was busy sorting out a few things in my personal life. Thanks to all specially Zahid wror for the input.

Sar ta rasaval a os da zvaanaano kaar dey. Fatimey kho article olikah... and everything is now hunky-dory. Domra nor trena nah kegi che yao bal article oliki. Bas ghaley naasta da che tsok pe tabsirey kai?!!
Durangir Lala......................relax I am not running away....Will definitely pursue this study.............and obviously will also benefit from your diverse knowledge and insight.

Please keep the input coming in....that must fill the tummy of this proposed study!
Mandokhel/ Nokia/Gharibulwatan wror...I request that we keep this feedback focused and not involve arguements which don't fit in here. My humble request please................! you r such great guys..i m sure it will not be taken as bad manners............

[Zahid Buneray]

4. Their assimilation and resultant changes in the host country/society
5. Their future prospects
6. Their level of devotion/ dedication to their home countries/nation

I think, the above subjects were already expalined in mixture to the other topics.


I
don’t know anyone, (excluding Nawaz being a Punjabi or Kashmiri) including those opposing openly such movements, that they have some fears of life from them. The successes of such movements are just because, they are talking on the tune of a common Pakhtun. On the other side, all attempts made by organizations, supported by foreign elements failed just because, they don’t know how to appeal to the well of the masses?

I suppose to say " I never heared that someone left the area for political or religious reasons including those Non-Muslims residing in this area.

Well. What are the main reasons that people are leaving their homland. The reasons other than Fatma Ahmad khore describes, I think, there are two main reasons;

Poverty
Compettition or Syalie

These two reasons could be easily expalin in this Tappa or stanza;

Sok pa raza da malka na zee
yaa deer ghareeb shee ya da yar da ghama zeena.

Yar or in most cases a wife always insist that her husband should also compette the relatives and should provide all such facilities which a relative are having.

[MandoKhail]

Mandokhel/ Nokia/Gharibulwatan wror...I request that we keep this feedback focused and not involve arguements which don't fit in here. .....
No worries! If you think my post is not fit here then you or admin can delete it,infact my post was answer to a paki propaganda, i am not here to wast my time on useless arguments but if i see/read any paki lie here then its for sure i am going to defend my ppl, here, i don't need any permission from any one ,nor any dictation.


Pa khpala khoo wraka ye aw zawab na warkawai aw de khalqo pa leek bande de zamoozh zrrah ra sheen krrai aw se kala ye zawab koo bia NOT FIT HERE:sick:

[daurangir]

No worries! If you think my post is not fit here then you or admin can delete it,infact my post was answer to a paki propaganda, i am not here to wast my time on useless arguments but if i see/read any paki lie here then its for sure i am going to defend my ppl, here, i don't need any permission from any one ,nor any dictation.


Pa khpala khoo wraka ye aw zawab na warkawai aw de khalqo pa leek bande de zamoozh zrrah ra sheen krrai aw se kala ye zawab koo bia NOT FIT HERE:sick:

Ghaley sha nekbakhta,....sheeeeeeesh!!! Vro vaaya.
Daa da buzurgaano khabarey di. Zah ao tah pre kala poigu?!!:)

Maa ta y, "Relax! I m not running away." Huh!:icon_biggrin:

She added, "......and obviously will also benefit from your diverse knowledge and insight."

Hahaha!!!! Da khpal benefits khabarey lagyaa di kegi. Da bal da benefit zikar nishta. Daa kho "mim zar maa, ao tol zamaa!"

[fatima Ahmed]

No worries! If you think my post is not fit here then you or admin can delete it,infact my post was answer to a paki propaganda, i am not here to wast my time on useless arguments but if i see/read any paki lie here then its for sure i am going to defend my ppl, here, i don't need any permission from any one ,nor any dictation.


Pa khpala khoo wraka ye aw zawab na warkawai aw de khalqo pa leek bande de zamoozh zrrah ra sheen krrai aw se kala ye zawab koo bia NOT FIT HERE
Mandokhel Lala dasay dilsozay khbaray ma kaway.....za khu her wakht staso postana lwala ma ao jawabuna derkoma. Bas nore hum deray lanjay wi che time ghwary kana!!!! Bal da che sok ghalat liki no staso na awal ba za jawab werkoma....fikar ma kawai!

Rikhtya da wayay che taso walay da deray mode rasay sa na likay.....


Ghaley sha nekbakhta,....sheeeeeeesh!!! Vro vaaya.
Daa da buzurgaano khabarey di. Zah ao tah pre kala poigu?!!

Maa ta y, "Relax! I m not running away." Huh!

She added, "......and obviously will also benefit from your diverse knowledge and insight."

Hahaha!!!! Da khpal benefits khabarey lagyaa di kegi. Da bal da benefit zikar nishta. Daa kho "mim zar maa, ao tol zamaa!"

Daurangir Lala................der kha che sa wayo hum na khushalagay..che sifat mo kao hum na ao che chap yo hum na.............No sa wako....Wadregay za hum sa matal rayadoma...............Hagha sanga de da chargay wala matal!!!!!!!

[rizkhan14]

Mandokhel Lala dasay dilsozay khbaray ma kaway.....za khu her wakht staso postana lwala ma ao jawabuna derkoma. Bas nore hum deray lanjay wi che time ghwary kana!!!! Bal da che sok ghalat liki no staso na awal ba za jawab werkoma....fikar ma kawai!

Rikhtya da wayay che taso walay da deray mode rasay sa na likay.....



Daurangir Lala................der kha che sa wayo hum na khushalagay..che sifat mo kao hum na ao che chap yo hum na.............No sa wako....Wadregay za hum sa matal rayadoma...............Hagha sanga de da chargay wala matal!!!!!!!
Salamona tolo tha...thama laram che daltha ba zama zadakrrra kigi da u bal sara khapal fiqar share kolo sara..Ma kho os os da khyberwatch malgaray shway yama.

Fatima.......you are really good at expressing yourself when you hold pen in your fingers or press keyboard of computer to write digitally on a topic.....

You should also endevour to touch on some other social issues facing pashtoon society and brainstorm to find a workable solution...

You seem to be quite well-read and mature and exhibition of insight when you dealth with the Topic of Brain and Hand Drain.....Though I don't know about your profession and I suggest you if you have no family problem, you should join AVT Khyber news as news analyst or current affairs program or any social program...You contribution on this website is only limited to only its member and electronic media has vast coverage and its impact is also on those who are not lettered. Dissiminate your ideas on wider format and canvass so its effect is imediate and far-reaching.

Keep it up...
Rizkhan

[daurangir]

W/salam rizkhana ao harkala rasha.

Norey kahabarey ao views exchange ba sara vrusto kavoo.:)

[rizkhan14]

Der manena Daurangir rora matha harkalay waylo......Allah mo khoshala satha ao abaad osay.....

[rizkhan14]

Zahid rora..ur contribution on the topic is very relevant and research based.....I wonder what purpose this serves....in our individual capacities, we can do a bit but as fatima khor is doing.....there is need to establish sort of research based institution gathering facts and figures about pashtoon's plight..and then give it media projection through electronic and print media platforms so that people and our leaders are aware what we are into as nation and what we ought to accopmlish....

There should be sense of direction and purpose in our research and should be not for research sake only put it in cupboard and tie a red ribbon over it.

Is this possible to build such kind of institution and make best available human resource for it and find funding for it?

Thank you.

[dardmand]

bas da forum ba der zar sharh shi.:)

[fatima Ahmed]

Rizkhan wrora. Thx for the compliments and the encouragement. Honestly speaking I never have thought about taking up writing seriously...probably because of my current work pressure. Anyway hopefully I will have more time to spare for writing soon. Meanwhile let me tell you all that ever since the last two years that I have started looking at the Pakhtun issues seriously and talked/communicated with friends on the subject..a lot of ground has been covered..which is encouraging. For example The Pakhtun Peace Forum has opened up Chapters in Canada and UK..they are doing great work.There monthly magazine IDEAS is an excellent effort...I would request all of those on khyberwatch to start writing,talking,researching and discussing issues faced by our Pround Nation. I a amazed by the articles written by Farhat Taj..a Pashtun scholar based in Norway on khybernews.tv. Great work. Meanwhile I am working on a number of new themes..which I will share with u soon. Just hoping I get the time.
salamuna

[Yaseen yousafzay]

Dear all
Salamoona: Interesting article. Just to add to the present, can anyone update the forum about the steps taken by any local or national govt for the economic uplift of the region after the beginning of the Afghan war in 1979? Or only the Afghan war or loans have been the only source of income for the country? These are various questions that need to be answered.

Best regards

MOONG OODA WOO AW DOONYA KOLE MEHNATOONA
PA BAAZAAR KEY ZAKA HER TSA DA JAAPAAN DEE
View new poetry on http://www.geocities.com/yawpukhtun/index.html

[WatanGul]

When the wise and educated people of a nation do leave the politics to illiterates and corrupts those nations do become nomades and ballad singers.
Usally those nations loose their identities and with passage of time the become part of the stories.
We are very good in two things but the third and important thing is missing.
1. We are very good in describing problems.
2. We are very good in giving reasons of the problems. But
3. we are rubbish in giving solutions of the problems.

[spinsahar]

Dear all
Salamoona: Interesting article. Just to add to the present, can anyone update the forum about the steps taken by any local or national govt for the economic uplift of the region after the beginning of the Afghan war in 1979? Or only the Afghan war or loans have been the only source of income for the country? These are various questions that need to be answered.



very good question, after the afghan war the Punjab and Pakistan is now manipulating its war on terror as a source of income and running the state.

Can I dare to ask it it Dr. Yaeen Iqbal Yousafzai Saib?

[WatanGul]

For the economic uplift of Muree Punjab army has sent all the Arab and Chechen terrorists to Sawat and thus the tourists have been totally diverted to Murree. Furthermore even the people of Sawat are moving to other areas where they need tants and blankets which are prepared in Punjab factories.
In Bajawar and Waziristan the Arabs have employed many people for killing of the local educated lot. As these arabs are brought here by Pakistani Army so they have created many oppurtunities for employment of the locals.

[Dirojae]

Rizkhan wrora. Thx for the compliments and the encouragement. Honestly speaking I never have thought about taking up writing seriously...probably because of my current work pressure. Anyway hopefully I will have more time to spare for writing soon. Meanwhile let me tell you all that ever since the last two years that I have started looking at the Pakhtun issues seriously and talked/communicated with friends on the subject..a lot of ground has been covered..which is encouraging. For example The Pakhtun Peace Forum has opened up Chapters in Canada and UK..they are doing great work.There monthly magazine IDEAS is an excellent effort...I would request all of those on khyberwatch to start writing,talking,researching and discussing issues faced by our Pround Nation. I a amazed by the articles written by Farhat Taj..a Pashtun scholar based in Norway on khybernews.tv. Great work. Meanwhile I am working on a number of new themes..which I will share with u soon. Just hoping I get the time.
salamuna

Mrs/Miss Fatima Ahmed.I used one of your writings for an acedamic and educational purpose. I hope that wont be a problem.
Thanx.

[dardmand]

Rizkhan wrora. Thx for the compliments and the encouragement. Honestly speaking I never have thought about taking up writing seriously...probably because of my current work pressure. Anyway hopefully I will have more time to spare for writing soon. Meanwhile let me tell you all that ever since the last two years that I have started looking at the Pakhtun issues seriously and talked/communicated with friends on the subject..a lot of ground has been covered..which is encouraging. For example The Pakhtun Peace Forum has opened up Chapters in Canada and UK..they are doing great work.There monthly magazine IDEAS is an excellent effort...I would request all of those on khyberwatch to start writing,talking,researching and discussing issues faced by our Pround Nation. I a amazed by the articles written by Farhat Taj..a Pashtun scholar based in Norway on khybernews.tv. Great work. Meanwhile I am working on a number of new themes..which I will share with u soon. Just hoping I get the time.
salamuna
Good work.
The important thing is that we have to make it sure that the writings and research is easily available in the local media and mediums.

[fatima Ahmed]

Mrs/Miss Fatima Ahmed.I used one of your writings for an acedamic and educational purpose. I hope that wont be a problem.
Thanx.


DEAR DIROJIA...............no worries...infact its an honour....particularly cause I am also Dirojay.......