PUKHTOONS

Khan Abdul Wali Khan Pashto:(خان عبدالولي خان) (b. January 11, 1917 – d. January 26, 2006) was a Pashtun freedom fighter against the British Raj, a senior politician in Pakistan and a writer.

His early years were marked by his involvement in his fathers non-violent resistance movement, the "red shirts" against the British Raj. Narrowly escaping an attempt on his life he was later sent to school at Dera Dhun.

In his late teens he became active in the Indian National Congress. After the formation of Pakistan, Khan became a controversial figure in Pakistani politics, he was referred to as both a hero and traitor during his political career because of his association to the Congress which opposed the creation of Pakistan.

A respected politician in his later years, he contributed to Pakistan's third constitution, led protests for the restoration of democracy in the 1960s and 1980s. In the 1970s, he also served as the parliamentry leader of opposition in Pakistan's first directly elected parliament.

His political career was marked by opposition from opponents who considered him to be stubborn and inflexible, due his criticisms of the political dominance of Punjab and the Pakistani Army.[1] His final years were marked by his criticism of the Taliban and his support for their ouster.

He was a powerful advocate of Pashtunistan and Pashtun nationalism, provincial (state) rights within Pakistan's federal structure and despite remained an advocate of political change through dialogue