Mohammad Mohaqiq.

Criticism from Pashtun politicians regarding the remarks of Mohammad Mohaqiq, leader of the Islamic Unity Party of the People of Afghanistan, has triggered widespread reactions among the public, intellectuals, and cultural figures of the country, and has sparked a wave of historical debate in support of Mr. Mohaqiq.

According to AnsarPress, Mohammad Mohaqiq said in an interview that based on international documents, he recognizes the Durand Line as the official and international border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Pashtun politicians and activists reacted strongly to these remarks, accusing Mr. Mohaqiq of "selling out the الوطن (homeland)" and "treason."

Mohaqiq responded in writing:

"Someone told me, ‘Mohaqiq, you`ve grown old-don`t sell the country.` I say: your Shah Shuja sold it in 1838 in exchange for an annual payment of 3 million Indian rupees, Mohammad Yaqub in 1879 for 600,000, and the criminal Abdur Rahman in 1893 for an annual 1.2 million. After a century of selling the country, there is nothing left for me to sell."

In another post, addressing Rahmatullah Nabil, former head of Afghanistan`s National Directorate of Security, and "ethnic agitators," he said:

"Do not throw the snow from your roof onto the Hazara roof. We have not signed any document selling our country`s land-but you have. After 133 years, we cannot clean up your mess. Do not unjustly grab our collars."

However, defending Mohaqiq against the wave of accusations and attacks from Pashtuns has not been limited to himself. Many non-Pashtun political, cultural, and intellectual figures have supported his statements, calling them a historical reality.

the Durand Line as the official and international border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"It was Abdur Rahman who sold the land"

Afghan activists, referring to Pashtun criticisms of Mohaqiq, have said that the "land seller" was Abdur Rahman Khan, the former king of Afghanistan who signed the Durand Agreement-not Mohaqiq, who is merely speaking of it as a historical fact.

Mojib Mehrdad, a university professor and journalist, wrote:

"You cannot both regard Abdur Rahman Khan as your hero, consider him the founder of Afghanistan, and at the same time oppose his decisions regarding the Durand Line and other borders of Afghanistan-especially since Afghanistan was drawn by Britain and Russia as a buffer zone between them, and Abdur Rahman was appointed its guardian with money and weapons."

Muslim Shirzad, a well-known Afghan journalist and head of Amaj News Agency, also wrote:

"Mohammad Mohaqiq is telling the truth. What is left from the ‘mother-selling` emirs for him to sell? Reflect for a moment: before Abdur Rahman ‘the Iron Amir` sold the land, and after him until his grandson in Rawalpindi-how they signed and sold the land. Read history for once...!"

Shirzad also stated:

"It is not right to grab Mohammad Mohaqiq by the collar; instead, grab the collar of Abdur Rahman Khan, the land seller. If Abdur Rahman Khan was the ‘Iron Amir` and tyrant at home, why did he surrender to the British and sell the land? Do not be emotional. Anyone with honor-the runway (airstrip) is at your service. Even now, Pakistan is in Nimroz`s airspace."

Many other Afghan activists and journalists have expressed similar views, saying that if Pashtuns want to blame someone over the Durand Line, that person is Abdur Rahman.

They add that if Pashtuns are truly sensitive about the Durand Line, they should first change Abdur Rahman`s title from "Iron Amir" to "Traitor Amir," and then tear up the Pakistani passports they carry in their pockets.

Non-Pashtun activists are calling on Pashtuns to accept historical realities and to stop stubbornness, tension-making, and accusations against other ethnic groups.

"Political leaders like Mohaqiq should show courage"

Despite widespread criticism from Pashtuns and "ethnic agitators," many Afghan citizens have praised Mohaqiq`s courage and urged other political leaders to show similar bravery and clearly state their positions to the public.

Mojib-ur-Rahman Rahimi, former spokesperson of the High Council for National Reconciliation of Afghanistan, wrote:

"Mr. Mohaqiq`s frankness and clear stance on the Durand Line are commendable. Other leaders must set aside political cowardice and declare their clear positions on this matter."

Abdul Manan Shewa-e-Sharq, former deputy of the Ministry of Information and Culture, wrote:

"The Durand Line is the official, legal, and international border between Khorasan (Afghanistan) and Pakistan, and not even a particle of the neighboring country`s land belongs to us. Other politicians should show courage like Professor Mohaqiq-otherwise, the turnip of expediency will rot in their mouths."

In another post, addressing Atta Mohammad Noor, Abdul Rab Rasul Sayyaf, Salahuddin Rabbani, Mohammad Karim Khalili, and Abdul Rashid Dostum, he wrote:

"What is your position regarding the official, legal, and international Durand Line? Professor Mohammad Mohaqiq has spoken the historical truth and set fire to the forest of fascists. Why are you silent and sleeping under the blanket of expediency?"

Many other Afghan citizens have also said that the time for expediency has passed, and that historical realities must be spoken about openly and without compromise so that the truth becomes clear to all.

They further suggested that Pashtuns should accept the "treason" and "selling of الوطن" by Pashtun leaders in Afghanistan`s history, acknowledge their responsibility for the country`s political crisis, abandon historical illusions, and face Afghanistan`s objective realities-so that the country`s crisis can be resolved and stability established.