The Pashtun Legacy in Pakistan’s Birth

The Forgotten Pillars: Pashtun Sacrifices in the Making of Pakistan

When the story of Pakistan is told, often it is a tale of political negotiations in Delhi, fiery speeches by Muslim League leaders, and the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. What is less remembered, however, is the blood, sweat, and sacrifice of the Pashtun people. From the rugged mountains of the tribal belt to the fertile valleys of Peshawar, Pashtuns played an irreplaceable role in shaping and defending the young nation. Their story, though pushed into the margins of official history, remains a cornerstone of Pakistan’s creation.

Pashtuns Before Partition

Even before 1947, Pashtuns had been at the crossroads of history. They were recruited heavily into the British Indian Army, often labeled a “martial race.” Many fought bravely in both World Wars, gathering not only military discipline but also the confidence to assert their rights when the moment of freedom came.

In politics, Pashtun leaders took diverse paths. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, known as Bacha Khan, advocated non-violence and initially opposed the partition of India, dreaming instead of an autonomous Pashtun region. On the other side, leaders like Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan and other Muslim Leaguers mobilized the people in support of Pakistan, convincing many Pashtuns that their destiny was tied with Jinnah’s vision.

This political diversity showed one truth: Pashtuns were not a silent people dragged into Pakistan. They debated, they chose, and they sacrificed — and once Pakistan came into being, even those who had once disagreed stood by its survival.

The Tribal Gift to Pakistan: Kashmir 1948

The year after independence, Pakistan faced its first great trial — the fate of Kashmir. In October 1947, when the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir hesitated to join Pakistan despite his overwhelmingly Muslim subjects, tribal Pashtuns from Waziristan, Khyber, and other frontier agencies rose up. Without waiting for orders, they crossed the rugged passes and marched into Kashmir.

These tribal lashkars were not regular soldiers. They were farmers, herders, shopkeepers, men hardened by the mountains and bound by a deep sense of honor, faith, and kinship. They saw Kashmir as a land unjustly withheld from their new homeland, and they were determined to bring it under the crescent flag.

Carrying old rifles, sometimes little more than swords, and with scant supplies, they advanced through difficult terrain. Against them stood the forces of the Maharaja, supported later by Indian troops flown in after the controversial accession document. Yet, in those early weeks, the tribal fighters made remarkable gains. They captured key towns, broke through defenses, and reached the outskirts of Srinagar.

The world may forget, but it was these Pashtun tribesmen who gifted Pakistan its first foothold in Kashmir — areas that are today called Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Their sacrifices, their unplanned yet courageous action, changed the map forever. Many never returned home; their graves still lie scattered across the valleys of Kashmir. And when Quaid-e-Azam heard of their efforts, he called it a priceless contribution. It was not an army that gave Pakistan Kashmir — it was the tribal Pashtuns.

Pashtun Contributions Inside Pakistan

While the tribes defended the nation’s frontiers, Pashtuns in settled areas contributed to building Pakistan’s institutions. Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan became a towering voice in the politics of Kashmir and Pakistan. Pashtun soldiers continued to form the backbone of the Pakistan Army, carrying the same tradition of bravery they had shown in British uniforms but now in the service of their own homeland.

Pashtun intellectuals, poets, and cultural leaders also played their part. Through their writings and performances, they kept alive the spirit of sacrifice and unity. Folk singers sang about freedom, tribal elders reminded their people of the honor of standing with the Quaid, and young students in Peshawar and beyond carried the Muslim League’s message into their communities.

Neglect and Silence

Yet, as the decades passed, the official narrative of Pakistan’s history often minimized or ignored these contributions. The focus remained on central leadership, while the role of ordinary Pashtuns — the tribal lashkars of 1948, the soldiers who laid down their lives, the political workers who organized in difficult terrain — was quietly set aside.

For many Pashtuns, this was a painful omission. They had given everything: their blood, their lives, and even Kashmir itself as a “gift” to Pakistan. But in textbooks and state celebrations, their stories were seldom told.

A Call to Remember

History cannot be erased by silence. The sacrifices of Pashtun tribes in 1948, their role in protecting Pakistan’s borders, their political debates, and their cultural contributions are as vital to the nation as the speeches of Jinnah or the resolutions of the Muslim League. Without the lashkars of Waziristan, Afridi, Mahsud, and other tribes, the map of South Asia might look very different today.

To honor Pakistan truthfully, we must honor its Pashtun sons and daughters. Their legacy is not one of rebellion or opposition, as some biased narratives suggest, but of deep loyalty, unmatched courage, and timeless sacrifice. They stood up when the state was fragile, when the future was uncertain, and when the call of faith and homeland was stronger than the fear of death.

Conclusion

The story of Pakistan is incomplete without the Pashtuns. They are not footnotes; they are pillars. From the politics of Abdul Qayyum Khan to the non-violent struggle of Bacha Khan, from the tribal fighters of 1948 to the countless nameless soldiers who lie in Kashmir’s soil, Pashtuns have been central to the making and defense of Pakistan.

It is time this story is told with pride, not as a regional tale but as a national truth. The gift of Kashmir, the sacrifices of tribal lashkars, the strength of Pashtun culture — these belong to the whole of Pakistan. The mountains of the frontier may seem far from the heart of the nation, but in reality, they beat with it. And as long as Pakistan stands, it will stand on the shoulders of its forgotten Pashtun heroes.