KHYBER AGENCY: More than half a dozen tribal neonates of Khyber born at the time of independence were named “Pakistan” soon after the creation of the country, which showed emotional attachment of tribesmen with their motherland.
Great jubilation was exhibited across the tribal belt at the time when Pakistan came into being and the tribal people unanimously and unconditionally extended their loyalty towards the newly created Muslim state, tribesmen remarked. Haji Pakistan, s/o Muhammad Gul of Piro Khel and a businessman, while quoting his parents said that he was born on the day when Muslims of the Subcontinent got their separate homeland and his father in delight named him after the newly formed country, Pakistan.
Regarding impact of the name, he further said that he was overconfident to be named after the country, as it granted him a distinctive status in society. “I warmly and regularly celebrate my birthday on the same day when the entire nation of Pakistan observes Independence Day, and I thanked my parents for naming me after my beloved country, Pakistan,” Haji Pakistan remarked.
Recalling his memories, Khushal Mir of Khuga Khel said that in October 1946 the local tribal people disgraced Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his visit to Landi Kotal practically supported Pakistan cause. He further said that large numbers of tribal elders gathered on Landi Kotal-Torkham Road near butcher house and pelted bones and stones at Nehru who was on his visit to Torkham border flanked by local Congress leaders.
At that time the British administration of Landi Kotal carried out aerial firing to disperse the protesters that injured three tribesmen, including a respectable elder Syed Minhajuddin Bacha, he added. “We were studying in government high school, Topkhana (artillery), when Pakistan came into being and we, the school students, marched in Landi Kotal bazaar while holding the national flag to commemorate the independence,” Mir said.
He claimed that the tribesmen of Khyber were pioneers of the partition movement who practically rejected the ‘join India’ policy by dishonoring Nehru on his trip to the area.
Published in Daily Times, August 12th 2017.
