Pakistani politician warns Taliban policies leading Pashtuns to destruction

Fawad Chaudhry, former Pakistani information minister and senior leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), warned that the policies of the Pakistani Taliban in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are leading the Pashtun community to destruction.

In a post on X on Friday, Chaudhry wrote: "The Taliban has destroyed the Pashtun society; you are heading towards complete ruin."

Chaudhry urged Pashtun leaders to return to the teachings of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, leader of the Khudai Khidmatgar movement, who symbolized non-violent struggle, social reforms, education, and equality among Pashtuns, as well as peaceful coexistence among ethnicities and religions.

He pointed to the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan's most insecure province where Pashtuns form the majority population and security incidents occur almost daily, according to officials. Chaudhry noted that child marriage is not banned there, music is deemed "infidel," and outdated tribal customs have become mainstream.

The Taliban consider music haram. Afghan Taliban have destroyed musical instruments, including burning hundreds in Parwan province in recent days.

Chaudhry emphasized that "Pashtun leadership must wake up," calling for the gradual conversion of religious schools into modern institutions, distancing from tribal thinking, and upholding the rights of women and children.

Afghan and Pakistani Taliban oppose girls' education. Since taking power in Afghanistan, the Afghan Taliban have closed schools beyond sixth grade and universities to girls and women. In Pakistan's former tribal areas, girls' access to education faces serious restrictions.

Chaudhry has previously criticized Afghan Taliban policies multiple times, describing them as a threat to Pakistan and the region.