It has been known for a while that people in Hazara are not going to accept the proposed name Pukhtoonkhwa and they made it clear, repeatedly, that the people of Hazara don’t consider themselves to be Pukhtoons, and residents of Hazara are interested in protecting their language, their culture, and their heritage and any attempt to roll over Hazara could lead to massive unrest in the province, but alas, ANP, drunk on power arrogantly ignored every request, and risk and today, we have 7 innocent civilians dead in Hazara Division. And, what was their crime? Their crime was that they opposed a decision, made unilaterally by ANP, without even considering the objections and grievances of Hazara to rename the province without any rhyme or reason.
Therefore, it is important to look at the historic conflict between ANP and Hazara Division.
1947 when Pakistan was created after a long and difficult struggle, Awami National Party (ANP), who happens to be running N.W.F.P today, opposed the idea of Pakistan and insisted on staying within India, while totally opposing the idea of Pakistan. Muslims in Hazara division responding to the leadership of Pakistan Muslim League voiced their support for Pakistan and requested to be included in Pakistan. A referendum was organized in N.W.F.P province to determine whether the province should remain within India or it is should become part of Pakistan. It was during that historic referendum that people in Hazara Division came out in record numbers to vote in favor of Pakistan. As a result, ANP’s desire to remain in India was democratically defeated and N.W.F. P became part of Pakistan. Regretfully, ANP has not forgiven the peaceful people of Hazara Division for their love of Pakistan. Therefore, the murders of innocent, unarmed and nonviolent protesters in Hazara by the police force that was especially imported from those parts of N.W.F.P that was interested in remaining with India should not be taken lightly. It is a very serious mater and it should be viewed in correct historic context.
Time has come to make Hazara a separate province.
Pakistanis don’t know that people in Hazara have always been denied their rights. For example, Tarbela Dam is in Hazara, but royalty goes to Islamabad and Peshawar. And, you’d be hard pressed to find any officer, especially in civilian government from Hazara with very few exceptions. However, regretfully, you will find drivers, cooks, gardeners and laborers from Hazara living like slaves not only in N.W.F.P, but also in Hazara Division. Almost all the senior positions are taken by Pushto speaking people, and all the lowly laborer work is given to the people of Hazara. But, enough is enough, and it is time to give Hazara its due right and respect that it has earned and quite frankly, deserves after defeating ANP’s attempt to merge N.W.F.P with India in 1947.
Those who gave their lives protesting against re-naming N.W.F.P will never be forgotten and their supreme sacrifices will always be part of Hazara’s courageous struggle against a barbaric regime in Peshawar headed by ANP. The martyrs of Hazara have proved, once again, that bullets, fired by cowards wearing police uniforms cannot, and they will not deter the brave people of Hazara from fighting for their rights. The monsters in Peshawar must know that the murders of our brothers in the name of law and order will never be forgiven or forgotten. The current Chief Misinster of N.W.F. P. and the entire leadership of ANP will be held accountable for every death in Hazara.
Then ager in Hazara is justified and the killers of Hazara’s sons must know that sooner or later, they will have to answer for insulting the Hazara Divsion – yes, very soon.
Saluting the soon to be a free, new and independent province – Hazara.
