Barakwal
The previous name of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was North West Frontier Province (NWFP) but was called and written as Frontier by officials, politicians and journalists everywhere in newspapers and books without hesitation.
Now, when its name has been changed to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2010, politicians belonging to Punjab and some other provinces call it KPK although the name of province comprises of two words Khyber and Pakhtunkhwa which is compound noun and it’s abbreviation should be KP not KPK, but if just Frontier was not a sin for complete name of NWFP, why Pakhtunkhwa is considered crime and imperfect?
Pakhtunkhwa is real name of the then NWFP province; Khyber was merged with Pakhtunkhwa for making its abbreviation, while Khyber is part of the FATA and it is imperfect administratively and constitutionally to be associated with Pakhtunkhwa province.
Accordingly, Pakhtunkhwa is the historical name of Pashtun land, which has been used several times in classical poetry of Pashto language by great Khushal Khan Khattak (1613 – 1689), Ahmad Shah Durrani (1722 – 1772) and other poets.
If the name was changed and given new name with consensus then it should be used whether complete Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or only Pakhtunkhwa, not meaningless abbreviation KPK.
If someone calls KPK it will be considered (Kill Pakhtun Kill) and it’s really the killing of Pakhtun identity.
Writer is a radio journalist based in Quetta.
Share your comments!
