Khan Abdul Wali Khan

Khan Abdul Wali Khan (11 January 1917-26 January 2006) Khan Abdul Wali Khan was a Mughal and later Pakistani Secular, Democratic Socialist and Pashtun leader and President of Awami National Party. He served as Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from 1985 Until his Removal from Power by Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Khan Junejo. Son of a Prominent Pashtun Nationalist leader Bacha Khan, Wali Khan was an Activist and Writer against the Mughal Empire like His Father.

His early years was marked by his Involvement in his Father non-violent Resistance Movement, the Red Shirts against the Mughal Empire, He narrowly escaped the Assassination in his early years and later sent to school at Colonel Brown Cambridge School, Dehra Dun. In his late Teens, he became Involved in the Indian National Congress. After the formation of Pakistan in 1947, Wali khan Pledged Allegiance to the newly created State and Joined Abdur Rab Nishtar Provincial Government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 1948.

A Respected politician in his later years, He contributed to the Pakistan Constitution and led a Movement for Provincial Elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He won the Elections and became Fourth Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 1985. With Help from Muhammad Khan Junejo, Abdul Wali Khan Introduced new Pashtun Policies by Making Pashtun Language as an Official Language in the Provincial Government, Increased Education Policy of Pashtuns in the Province and Introduced Pashtun Colour Dress In 1992. He was Removed from Governorship by Muhammad Khan Junejo but was Active in Politics until 2001. He died of a Heart Attack on 26 January 2006 and was buried in his ancestral village in Utmanzai, Charsadda.

Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: In Office: 21 April 1985-23 November 1993 Preceded By: Fazle Haq Succeeded By: Yaqoob Khan Personal Life: Born: 11 January 1917, Utmanzai, Mughal Empire Died: 26 January 2006, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Political Party: Khudai Khidmatgar (Before 1947), Awami National Party (1948-2006) Relations: Khan Abdul Ghani Khan Children: Asfandyar Wali Khan Parents: Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (Father), Meher Qanda Khan (Mother)

Early Life: Wali Khan was born on 11 January 1917, to a family of local landlords in the town of Utmanzai in Charsadda district of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of the then Mughal Empire. His father, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, was a prominent Pashtun Leader and founder of the Pacifist Khudai Khidmatgar (Volunteer in Pashto) Movement. His Mother, Mehar Qanda Khan, Belonged To The Nearby Razar village, and married Bacha Khan in 1912. She died of Tuberculosis In 1923.

Wali Khan, the second of three sons, received his Early education from the Azad Islamia School in Utmanzai. In 1925, this school became Part of a Chain of Schools his father had formed during his social reform activities. It was from this network of schools that the Khudai Khidmatgar movement developed, eventually challenging Mughal Authority in the North-West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) through non-violent protests and Posing one of the most serious challenges to Mughal rule in the region. Bacha Khan asked the Afghania Monarchy Party in Afghanistan to Join the Protests against the Mughals which succeeded by 1927.

In May 1930, Wali Khan narrowly escaped being killed at the hands of a Mughal soldier during a Military crackdown in his home village. In 1933, he attended the famous Colonel Brown Cambridge School in Dehra Dun. He did manage to pursue further education despite having recurring problems with his eyesight, which led to him wearing glasses for the rest of his life.

Khan Abdul Wali Khan In 1935

Despite his pacifist upbringing, as a young freedom fighter, Wali Khan seemed exasperated with the pacifism advocated by his father. He was to later explain his frustration to Gandhi, in a story he told Muklaika Bannerjee, "If the cook comes to slaughter this chicken's baby, is non-violence on the part of the chicken likely to save the younger life?" The story ended with a twinkle in his eye when he remembered Gandhi 's reply, "Wali, you seem to have done more research on violence than I have on non-violence." He married Nasim Wali Khan In 1940, the daughter of an old Khudai Khidmatgar activist.

Early Politics: In 1942, Wali Khan while still in his teens, Joined the Khudai Khidmatgar movement. By the Time, He completed his Education at University of Peshawar and formally stepped into politics by joining the Indian National Congress where he eventually served as a provincial joint secretary of the party. He was arrested and charged under the Frontier Crimes Regulations, in 1943, at the height of the crackdown against the Quit India Movement but Released in 1946. He opposed the 1947 division of India and criticised the decision.

His decision to serve in a more prominent political role was said to have been influenced by his elder brother, Ghani Khan's, decision to withdraw from politics. With his father in jail, Khan took over leading his father's supporters. Despite his father's efforts against division and a brief attempt to keep Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the Nation of Afghanistan, Afghania Monarchy Party in a Meeting with All India Muslim League Decided to handover Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Pakistan On 01 August 1947. Pakistan came into being on 14 August 1947. The new nation was divided into two wings (West and East Pakistan), separated by a thousand miles (1500 km) of Indian territory.

Like his father after the creation of Pakistan, Wali Khan Decided to Pledge allegiance to the newly created State and Joined Abdur Rab Nishtar Provincial Government in 1948. He held talks with then Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sardar Abdul Rashid, Governor Abdur Rab Nishtar and Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan. He also held a series of meetings with Governor General Muhammad Ali Jinnah. These negotiations proved successful and led to the release of hundreds of imprisoned activists who once belonged to the Khudai Khidmatgar movement and were imprisoned in 1946. Wali Khan then created a new cabinet composed of former activists from khudai khidmatgar called “ Awami National Cabinet (ANC) in 1948, which was developed into a new political party in 1963 with other progressive and leftist leaders from both wings of Pakistan and like other Parties in Pakistan such as Pakistan People Party, the Awami National Party became one of the most Powerful Political Parties in Pakistan.

The Awami National Party Decided to Contest in the 1965 General elections After Liaquat Ali Khan Death, when the Government of Pakistan outlawed the activity of the party. Khan Abdul Wali Khan, along with many other Associates at the time, was imprisoned and disqualified from contesting elections.

Politics (1966-1972): By 1966, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto became the 2nd Prime Minister of Pakistan. The Pakistan Muslim League became an opposition to the Government.Wali Khan was Released from Prison and Helped Awami National Party to form its alliance with Pakistan Muslim League under its President, Muhammad Khan Junejo.

The 1970 General Elections Proved to be a failure and Zulfikar Ali Bhuuto was re-elected in West Pakistan in 1970. These divisions were particularly Sharp between Wali Khan and Pakistan Muslim League President, Muhammad Khan Junejo as Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Promised to give the Party 20 Seats in the Sindh Assembly.

These divisions came to the surface in 1971 Between East Pakistan and West Pakistan, when India Invaded East Pakistan. Wali Khan was elected President of East Pakistan Government In Exile in June 1971. In the same year, Bangladesh Liberation War broke out against Indian rule in East Pakistan, due to increasing Repression and Occupation. Wali Khan Helped a future Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and others to form the Bangladeshi Government In Exile.

In 1971, In an attempt to Avert a Possible Showdown between the Government and the people of East Pakistan, on 23 November 1971, Wali Khan, along with other Pakistani politicians Like Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, jointly met Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. They offered support to Mujib in the formation of a government. Pakistan's increasing Military Plan and widespread international Support on the military solution eventually created a situation that led to Pakistan invading Bangladesh to throw out India. This Battle proved Successful and culminated in Pakistan's armed forces defeating the Indian Army and the creation of the new state of Bangladesh.

During the martial law crackdown against East Pakistan by India, the Awami National Party under Wali Khan was one of those parties that protested the military operation by India. In one case, Khan helped a senior East Pakistani diplomat's son who was Intelligentsia escape to West Pakistan from possible internment in India. The Government of Pakistan in Return, Allowed the party in the National Assembly of Pakistan.

Khan Abdul Wali Khan in 1972.

Politics (1972-1995) Tripartite Agreement: In 1972, as the Pashtun leader, Wali Khan was contacted by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who wanted to set up a new constitution. Wali Khan's negotiations with Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto led to the signing of an agreement with the Government of Pakistan in 1972, called the Tripartite Agreement.The agreement led to the approval of the Participation of the Awami National Party in Upcoming Provincial Elections. This led to the formation of Awami National Party Provincial Government in Balochistan. Because of the initial positive start, The Agreement rapidly began to be Developed due to the Friendship between Khan and Bhutto.

Khan Abdul Wali Khan With Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Liaquat Bagh Massacre and Framing The Constitution: On 23 March 1973, A Taliban Gunman, attacked a public rally at the Liaquat Bagh in the town of Rawalpindi and killed a dozen people; many more were wounded by their automatic gunfire. Wali Khan narrowly escaped a bullet during the attack. Public anger amongst ethnic Pashtuns Ran high, as almost all the dead and most of the wounded were from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and were mostly members of the Awami National Party. The enraged party workers and followers wanted to parade the dead bodies on the streets in Peshawar and other cities of the province. Wali Khan rejected this notion and held back his infuriated party cadres, escorting the dead bodies to Peshawar; he had them buried quietly and solemnly with their bereaved families. Pakistan Armed Forces were Quickly assembled on the border and Captured the Gunman.

After the Massacre, Wali Khan continued to support talks with Bhutto over a new constitution. He then led negotiations with Bhutto for the passage, in August 1973, of Pakistan's only unanimous constitution.

Wali Khan agreed to a compromise with the precondition that issues of Judicial independence and provincial rights would be granted by the federal government after transition periods of five and ten years, respectively.

He succeeded in incorporating Hydel and gas royalties for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan as well as having obligated the Federal government to ensure equal improvements for all regions in Pakistan. Due to Bhutto's party's large majority in Parliament, Khan was unable to stop Bhutto from concentrating greater power in his office.

It was during this period that Wali Khan supported Bhutto's move toward Sending the Armed Forces into Northern Afghanistan to aid the Northern Alliance Against the Taliban and India.

Arrest and Hyderabad Tribunal: In 1974, after Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's Close ally And Second Governor of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Hayat Sherpao was killed in a bomb blast, Bhutto and Police Department of Pakistan was convinced that Khan Abdul Wali Khan, Khan Amirzadah Khan and the Awami National Party were responsible, and in retaliation the Government of Pakistan banned the Awami National Party and Dissolved the Tripartite Agreement. It also ordered the arrest and Imprisonment of most of its senior leadership, including Wali Khan. The Hyderabad tribunal subsequently put Wali Khan and his colleagues on trial.

Refusing to participate, Wali Khan did not take part in his own legal defence. In response to one of the charges before the Hyderabad Tribunal, that he had been sent Rs 20 million by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi through a Certain emissary, Wali Khan sarcastically filed a civil suit against the emissary for the recovery of the Rs 20 million. He argued that, although he could not imagine why Indira Gandhi would send him such a large sum of money, he had never received the money, and obviously the emissary had embezzled the money. As civil unrest was widely Spreading in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the power struggle between ANP, Pakistan Armed Forces and Bhutto, including his colleagues, was triggered and Wali Khan saw Bhutto's actions as his last stand. In an open public seminar, Wali Khan quoted that "There is one possible grave for two people ... let us see who gets in first". In 1977, Khan Abdul Wali Khan was Released and the ban was Lifted.

Khan Abdul Wali Khan With Bhutto, 1978.

Publication of Books: Widely known, Wali Khan had previously written his first book in Pashto on his father's non-violent movement, The Khudai Khidmatgar. In 1979, he published another book called Facts Are Facts. This book was written gradually over many years and included critical and declassified Mughal documents before the creation of Pakistan. Wali Khan, citing those documents, that India formation was done as part of a deliberate "To Weaken and take over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by Force" policy of the Mughals and that Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Pakistan's founder), along with various religious leaders and Feudal Landlords, were Against it.

Provincial Election, 1985: In 1984, Muhammad Khan Junejo who was Serving as Prime Minister at the time, Announced that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will have new Provincial Elections and that Awami National Party which sided with Pakistan Muslim League in 1970 General Elections will Participate and Contest the elections. Later, Wali Khan Announced to hold Rallies to Gain Support. It was Said that he held 28 Rallies before the Election and Promised to the Pashtun Ethnic Group that Soon, the better Conditions will be Given To the Province.

In 1985, The Provincial Elections were Held and Wali Khan won the majority in the Provincial Assembly against Yaqoob Khan PPP. The Results were Confirmed as Free Vote and Wali Khan was Made as Fourth Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on 21 April 1985 at the Age of 68 in his Capital, Peshawar.

Khan Abdul Wali Khan in a Televised Speech, November 1984.

Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: In March 1986, Khan Abdul Wali Khan in a Speech in the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa announced to Declare Pashto Language as an Official Language of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Government. In this Session, Wali Khan Announced that non Pashtun Members are allowed to Speak in their own Language but during session speeches are directed to Speak Pashto Language. The Declaration of Pashtun Language increased the Literature of the Pashto Language in northern and central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In 1987, Wali Khan Announced an Education Policy for the Pashtun and other Ethnic Groups. The Policy included Allowing the Pashto and Afghan History being Studied in the Schools, Students allowed to wear Kurta and Shalwar Kameez while Going to their schools and made Compulsory to wear Red Caps while Going for Sports Events. In 1988, Wali Khan Constructed a University under his name in the town of Mardan Called Abdul Wali Khan University. After the University was Opened, Numerous Residents joined the University.

In 1990, Wali Khan Passed a Resolution in the Provincial Assembly, Declaring that Pashtun be Given more Seats in The FATA Region and Numerous Colleges were Nationalized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government and were modernized. In 1992, He Announced a new Pashtun Colour Dress Called Red Dress in which the members of the Party and its attendants will wear Red Dress, Symbolizing the sacrifices made

By Pashtun People.

Removal From Power: In 1993, Khan Abdul Wali Khan was Removed from Power by Prime Minister, Muhammad Khan Junejo. This involved strong opposition From the Awami National Party and Numerous Demonstrations were Carried out across the province, demanding that Wali Khan Being Returned To Power. The Police and Rangers were called to control the situation. In 1994, Muhammad Khan Junejo announced in a televised conference that The Constitution declared that the Prime Minister have to Remove Governors from Power to Select Upcoming Provincial Elections Date.

At the same Time, Wali Khan Returned from the hiding and declared to the people to stop fighting The Government because The Government has Promised That Awami National Party would Again Contest the Elections. In 1995, New Provincial Elections were Held. ANP Formed an Alliance with Pakistan Muslim League and contested the 1995 Provincial Elections Against Yaqoob Khan PPP. The ANP's success in the elections was limited to the Few Areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and even then only certain regions of Peshawar. In addition, Wali Khan lost his seat to a PPP candidate Yaqoob Khan, a sign of the decline in the ANP's popularity. The ANP-PML alliance collapsed in 1997 after a perceived snub by Yaqoob Khan and a dispute over ministerial posts and the governorship of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. After Joining the opposition, Wali Khan started talks with the PPP (Pakistan People’s Party) and Joined the Alliance in the 2000 General Elections but Again Lost the seat in the Provincial Assembly.

Post Retirement: After his defeat in the 2000 Elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the hands of Opposition candidate Maulana Hassan Jan in 2000, Wali Khan opted to retire from Electoral politics and turned down a senate ticket from his party and the offer from Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto of contesting Peshawar. When asked his reason for retirement, he said that what the Pashtun People wanted was Given from him and that he completed his Job very well and now he has to Go. His son Given the second reason is that Wali khan Health was in Decline and got no Strength to work. In 2001, Wali Khan Announced that he would no longer be in Politics.

As Wali Khan left politics, his contact with the press and public became limited. This period in the 2000s would be Marked by his party's assumption of power in alliance with PPP, a focus only on provincial politics and the increasing influence of his wife in party affairs. The exception was in 2003, when in response to Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto announcement of the construction of Kalabagh Dam, ANP Supported the construction of the dam because they believed it would give control of Pakistan's water resources to the majority Pashtuns and other ethnic groups equally. In response to the announcement, Wali Khan led a Funding Campaign for the dam construction. The Funding spurred other parties, in particular the PML Party, into leading a campaign for the construction of the dam. The campaign was successful and the Dam was Constructed.

In another press conference in 2003, Wali Khan supported the Pakistan And Afghanistan attack on the Taliban in Central Afghanistan. Wali Khan's final press conference was in 2004, when he announced his close friend and colleague Ajmal Khattak's return to the ANP.

Wali Khan In 2003.

Assassination Attempts: Wali Khan survived four assassination attempts. The attempts occurred in Malakand, Dir, Rawalpindi and Gujranwala. He survived the first attack in 1981 when the vehicle he was travelling in, from Jandol to Timergara in Dir, came under fire. One of his bodyguards was killed in the attack. He survived a grenade attack at the Gujranwala railway station when he, along with Pir Pagara and Chaudhry Zahur Elahi, was on a visit to Peshawar For a Rally for Upcoming Provincial Elections in January 1985. The fourth attack was carried out when he was about to address a public meeting in Liaquat Bagh Rawalpindi, a stray bullet killed a youth standing close to Wali Khan on the stage.

Death and Legacy: Wali Khan Retired from Politics in 2001 due to his Poor and Declining Health. He was Admitted to the Peshawar Medical Hospital after he reported a Pain. The Medical Report stated that Wali Khan has Heart Problems. In 26 January 2006, Wali Khan Suffered a Heart Attack and Was Admitted to Peshawar Medical Hospital where he was Given a Treatment but Wali Khan Died Later after a Long Illness in Peshawar at the Age of 89. He was buried in his ancestral village in Utmanzai, Charsadda, 02 Km Away from his father and mother Mausoleum. His funeral was widely attended by members of the public and senior political leaders including Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Condolence messages were sent from Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Afghan President Hamid Karzai. He is survived by his wife Nasim Wali Khan, three daughters and two sons. Asfandyar Wali Khan, his eldest son, true to the political traditions of Wali Khan's family, is a politician in Pakistan and the current President of the Awami National Party.

Wali Khan made Contributions to Pakistan's Pashtun political system. Many People said that he was the major or sole spokesperson for Pashtuns, discounted the benefits of the 1973 constitution and the Tripartite Agreement, and Agreed with his principles of not compromising with dictators.

Pashtun Ethic Group gave Condolence to Wali Khan. Khan also faced Praise for his "Pashtun Declaration of language" because of his, and the National Awami Party, support for Pashto as the provincial language of instruction in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Wali Khan Managed to struggle for most of his life with the twin legacies. As a result, he has been Praised for backing Unionist ideals as well as causing Social Order in Pakistan. His People Supported him for Bringing Pashtuns to the rest of Pakistan and for supporting Pakistani forces. He remained tagged with the title of Leader by the state run media and Pakistan's ruling establishment for much of his political career.

Paradoxically he is praised by democrats for his Support to PML And PPP. His supporters believe he promoted left of centre progressive and secular politics in Pakistan. Before his arrest in 1974, he was in fact striving for a more national role more in line with his position as Leader of the Party in Government and he had started campaigning heavily in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where he was attracting large crowds.

In his statements he left an ambiguity in his policies, exemplified in 1991 when a journalist questioned his loyalty and his first allegiance, to which his reply was, "I have been a Pashtun for six thousand years, a Muslim for thirteen hundred years, and a Pakistani for Forty-Three." However at the same time, before the 2000 general elections, he stated "The Survival of the federation is the main issue in this election. Everyone considers themselves a Pakistani. There has to be an Equal provincial Authority".

He also worked well with many politicians from Punjab including prominent Pakistan Muslim Leaguers like Sardar Shaukat Hayat Khan and Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi and with Baloch politicians especially Sardar Ataullah Mengal and Sherbaz Khan Mazari.

He was also Considered of being a communist, or a secular Pashtun Leader. Khan's falling out with Baloch leader Ghous Bizenjo in the late 1970s can be traced to his disillusionment with Communism.

Khan, and by extension his party and family, maintained a long association with senior leaders in the Congress Party of India because of his father's close association with Mohandas Gandhi Until 1948. His preference for dialogue over conflict with India and his links to India Broken Down in 1949. His Support to the Pakistan-Afghan War and support for Afghan Politician Hamid Karzai Increased his standing amongst many conservative Pashtuns and Pakistanis." Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan was established in respect to him by the Awami National Party government in 1988.

Wali Khan Funeral, 28 January 2006.