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Pashtunistan

پښتونستان
Pashtun-inhabited regions in green (1980)
Pashtun-inhabited regions in green (1980)
Countries  Afghanistan
 Pakistan
Population
 (2012)
 • Total c. 42–50 million
Demographics
 • Ethnic groups Pashtuns
 • Languages Pashto
Minor: Persian, Urdu, Hindko, Balochi, Ormuri, Parachi, Dardic, Nuristani
Time zone UTC+04:30 and UTC+05:00
Largest cities

Pashtunistan (Pashto: پښتونستان, Pax̌tūnistān) means the "land of Pashtuns". It refers to the area where the native Pashtun people live. This region is found in modern-day Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Who are the Pashtun People?

Pashtuns
Pashtun children, native to the Pashtunistan region

The Pashtuns are the original people of Pashtunistan. They are also known as Pakhtuns or Pathans. They are an ethnic group with roots in Iran. Pashtuns are the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan. They are the second largest in Pakistan.

Where Pashtuns Live

Most Pashtuns live in the south and east of Afghanistan. Smaller groups are found in the north and west. In Pakistan, they live mainly in the west and northwest. This includes Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern Balochistan. You can also find Pashtun communities in other parts of Pakistan. These include Sindh, Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Islamabad.

Languages Spoken in Pashtunistan

The main language in the Pashtunistan region is Pashto. Other languages are also spoken there. These include Balochi, Hindko, Gojri, and Urdu.

Pashtun Culture and Traditions

Pashtuns follow a special code of conduct called Pashtunwali. This is their traditional way of life. It is very important to many Pashtuns. It helps keep their identity strong. This cultural code existed even before Islam came to the region.

The Pashtun lands are divided by a border called the Durand Line. This line separates Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, many Pashtun tribes used to cross this border easily. They would visit family or attend tribal meetings called jirgas. After military actions in the area, it is now harder to cross the border.

Pashtun Population Numbers

Pashtuns make up a large part of Afghanistan's population. They are about 42-60% of the people there. In Pakistan, they are about 15.42% of the 200 million people. This number does not include Pashtuns living in other Pakistani cities. In Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, over 73% of people spoke Pashto in 1998.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Pastunistán para niños

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