A journey from NWFP to Pakhtunkhwa
By Farman Ullah
NWFP
The North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) name originated from its strategic location on the northwest border of British India, relative to Delhi. In 1901, Lord Curzon, the then-Viceroy of British India, established the province by separating it from Punjab. For over a century, the name remained unchanged, despite repeated attempts to rename it to reflect the province’s predominantly Pashtun population.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
In April 2010, the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) was officially renamed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, culminating in a long-standing campaign led by the Awami National Party (ANP), a Pakhtun nationalist party. The ANP, which ruled the province from 2008-2013 in alliance with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), had been pushing for the name change.
Various names were proposed, including Gandhara, Afghania, Pakhtunistan, and Pashtunistan. However, Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N suggested prefixing Khyber to Pakhtunkhwa to make it more acceptable to non-Pakhtuns.
The issue of KPK and KP
When the province was renamed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it was pointed out that the abbreviation, KP, is short and not as rhythmic as NWFP. Before long, the word KPK gained popularity and started to be widely used. The ANP-PPP coalition government officially clarified that the correct name is Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its abbreviation should be KP and not KPK. However, the term KPK stuck and even government departments started using it. The number plates of vehicles also started using KPK.
Now Pakhtunkhwa
The Awami National Party (ANP) has made a significant move to rename Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to simply “Pakhtunkhwa”. This proposal, tabled before a special parliamentary committee, aims to fulfill a long-standing demand of Pakhtun nationalist parties. The ANP submitted this proposal during a crucial in-camera session, where lawmakers from various parties, including PML-N, PPP, PTI, and ANP, gathered to debate the contentious 26th constitutional amendment.
Notably, the proposal received unanimous support, with no party rejecting it during the session. Aimal Wali Khan, ANP KP President, has emphasized that all parties are on the same page regarding this name change. He has clarified that while Khyber is a valued district and pass, its name is closely tied to the province’s identity.
This development marks a potential shift in the province’s identity, aligning with the demands of Pakhtun nationalist parties. The proposal’s fate now hinges on further deliberations and potential legislative actions.