Research findings: Book provides insight into extremism in Pukhtun areas

Roshan Khan spent three years collecting data for his work before self-publishing

PESHAWAR:

“If a lack of education and employment opportunities were not enough, the topography of the Pukhtun belt made matters worse,” said Roshan Khan, a schoolteacher who has written and published Pakhtun aw askariat pasandi – asbab-o-haal or Pukhtuns and extremism – Reasons and solutions.

His book launch was held in Landay Arbab on Sunday among literati and poets. The launch was organised by Adabi Malgari Pekhawar– a literary society. Khan wrote the book against the backdrop of turbulent times in Pukhtun areas fraught with militancy and social problems.

The book, which is in Pashto, is divided into three sections. The first contains a collection of Pukhtun proverbs, the second talks about the effects of extremism and militancy on society, including Pashto literature, and the third talks about solutions.

Khan said Pukhtuns continue to play into the hands of imperial powers and this has damaged them significantly in the past.

Self-made, self-published

Khan, whose nom de plume is Qalamyar, said the book is a result of three years of painstaking research. The author said he invested Rs50,000 in order to get 500 copies published.

Speaking on the occasion, University of Peshawar Professor Dr Noorul Basar said radicalisation and the war on terror have had a great impact on Pukhtun society, even on its art forms such as drama, literature and poetry. He said the prevalent law and order situation was orchestrated.

Zahir Shah Khattak, another poet, talked about the lack of respect for writers in society. “We poets do not even have the resources to make ends meet,” he said, adding the community is nonetheless striving to counter extremism through the pen.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2014.