Anthology of Wali Khan’s quotes launched

Book contains comments on politicians, state policy, democracy.

PESHAWAR: Speakers at the launch of a book on quotations and epigrams from the late Awami National Party (ANP) founder Abdul Wali Khan said that the Pakhtun nation was still grappling with oral traditions here on Thursday.

The speakers said that it was necessary to adopt the written word instead of prevalent oral traditions in the face of multifaceted challenges faced by the Pakhtun nation.

The book titled “Ya Ba Yo Kigu, Gini Rukigo” (to unite or to perish) is authored by Mian Afsar Shah Kakakhel, a political activist who has long been associated with the ANP and observed Wali Khan from close quarters.

The book is written in a light vein and gives a detailed background of famous quotes from Wali Khan including, on the 1979-1987 Afghan War “The Afghan War is strife, not Jihad,” on ZA Bhutto’s attitude towards Baacha Khan, “Bhutto sahib still does not know Baacha Khan,” and on Pakistan’s closeness to the Taliban, “We are sitting on dynamite.”

The speakers said that time and again the wisdom and foresight of Wali Khan has been proven as most of his predictions have come true. The book’s preface was written by ANP stalwart Afzal Khan Lala from Swat.

Liaqat Seemab introduced the author and noted his long association with the struggle for democracy and the fact that he resigned from his job at Radio Pakistan in protest against the tyrannical Ziaul Haq regime.

He said Kakakhel and two of his colleagues held a press conference after they resigned and that the authorities did not allow local journalists to attend their press conference, with only a journalist from the local daily Khyber Mail managing to attend.

He added that the author entered politics and headed the ANP’s Islamabad chapter and that the book was a good read for students of politics and history. Baacha Khan Education Foundation Chief Khadim Hussain said on the occasion that Pakhtun society was still struggling with its tribal economic base and it is yet to progress beyond oral traditions.

Khadim said that this economy and state of mind was not consistent with the modern age and added that the political discourse of the Pakhtun nation was also incomplete, making it  necessary for political leaders and others to bring their experiences and observations into print for the good of future generations. “The Pakthun’s cultural confusion is a result of a lack of documentation of political and social discourse.”

Renowned writer Professor (Dr) Raj Wali Shah Khattak said, “The book throws light on different aspect of Wali Khan’s life and that it must lead to further research.” The author said that he plans to write more books in the future, while adding that in the present situation writers had a huge responsibility to lead the Pakthun nation through its struggle for survival.

Chief Guest and Vice Chairperson World Pashto Congress Miraj Humayun said that Pakhtun society did not love books and the whole structure of society was based on oral traditions, while criticising the family of Wali Khan for not following the principals enunciated by the late leader.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 16^th, 2011.