Afraz Khattak, a Pakistani Pashtun politician, says that a “resistance core” has emerged against the Taliban and believes that the majority of Pakistan’s Pashtuns want an end to the group’s rule in Afghanistan.
Khattak said that, contrary to the perception that Pakistan’s Pashtuns broadly support the Taliban, the group does not enjoy widespread public support among the country’s Pashtun population. He said support for the Taliban is largely confined to a limited number of religious groups in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Pakistani politician has accused the Taliban of being incapable of governing Afghanistan and of damaging the reputation and standing of the Pashtun people. He also said that opposition to the Taliban government is growing among Pakistan’s Pashtuns.
According to Khattak, the emergence of anti-Taliban movements indicates that there are differing views within Pakistan’s Pashtun community regarding the group’s performance and policies, and that support for the Taliban cannot be regarded as the dominant position among the country’s Pashtuns.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
