The residents of the Hazara division are prepared to oppose any attempts by the federal government to pass a constitutional amendment in Parliament that would rename Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as “Pakhtunkhwa,” warned Ifran Mubarak, the central information secretary of the Hazara Qaumi Mahaz (HQM). He issued this warning while speaking to reporters on Sunday.
Mubarak referred to a statement made by ANP leader Aimal Wali Khan, who called for the renaming of KP solely as “Pakhtunkhwa.” He criticized Khan’s stance, suggesting it reflects a “hidden agenda” aimed at leading the province into turmoil similar to the unrest seen in April 2010 when the then PPP-ANP coalition government facilitated the adoption of the 18th Amendment, which sparked widespread protests in the region.
“This time, the situation will be different, and those pushing for a new amendment—especially the renaming of the province after 12 years—will face strong resistance,” Mubarak warned. He emphasized that the people of Hazara have not forgotten the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters in Abbottabad on April 12, 2010, when police fired directly at demonstrators opposing the renaming of NWFP to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Mubarak reaffirmed the long-standing demand of the Hazara people for a separate province from KP based on administrative grounds, stating they would continue to advocate for this until their demands are met. “If the current coalition government is unwilling to learn from past mistakes and seeks to appease the ANP by including the renaming of KP as Pakhtunkhwa in the proposed amendment, it should also consider adding the creation of Hazara province to avoid escalating tensions, especially during this period of political instability,” he asserted.
He further argued that accepting the long-standing demand for a separate Hazara province would not only prevent law-and-order issues but also win the support of the Hazarawals, who feel marginalized by the government.
The movement for a separate Hazara province began in 1957, initiated by local lawyers led by Mufti Mohammad Idrees Advocate. It gained momentum in April 2010 when the late Baba Haider Zaman spearheaded anti-renaming protests, later joined by prominent Hazara politicians like Gohar Ayub Khan, Amanullah Khan Jadoon, and others. However, after Baba’s death three years ago, the movement slowed as many leaders shifted to mainstream political parties, distancing themselves from Baba and his Tehreek Suba Hazara party before the 2013 elections.
