Pashtuns Are in Punjab’s Veins; Force Is No Solution to Disorder: Aniq Naji
Sajid Ali
Published September 29, 2026 | 01:54 PM
Aniq Naji, a renowned analyst, has expressed his strong reaction to Pakistan's current political and internal situation, including tensions between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government. He warns that isolating the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and using provincial divisions as a tool will lead the country to devastating consequences.
Naji, in a post on a social media platform, compared historical circumstances, stating that when East Pakistan separated, the hatred and geographical distance were significant, shielding people from revenge and retaliation. However, he noted, Pashtuns reside in Karachi, are settled in Punjab, and are present in every institution and city across the country, sharing the same religion and deep family ties.
According to Naji, no force can resolve such internal and national tensions and disorder. He commented on the PML-N narrative, criticizing their attempts to label Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as a terrorist party and linking it with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He drew a parallel to the past, mentioning how the same playbook was used to label Fatima Jinnah a traitor and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto a rebel.
Naji criticized Nawaz Sharif, comparing his actions to those of a clown, and urged him to cover his face due to the shameful treatment of democracy. He supported Imran Khan's call for respecting the vote, stating that a clear majority should be allowed to form a government. Naji compared the situation to the plight of Muslims in occupied Kashmir, highlighting the contradiction of labeling freedom fighters as terrorists.
He further expressed astonishment at the imprisonment of the election winner, the appointment of a loser as the prime minister in Kashmir, and another loser as the chief minister in Punjab. Naji concluded by implying that the current situation demands humility, not pride, and that hiding one's face is more appropriate than posing for photographs.
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