Pashtuns are probably the most ‘xenophobic’ people on earth, says PM Khan

Prime Minister Imran Khan, while talking to foreign journalists on Wednesday, to explain the unrest in the region, referred to the Pashtuns as ‘xenophobic’.

“We have a larger Pashtun population here in Pakistan than in Afghanistan and they’re probably the most ‘xenophobic’ people on earth,” said PM Khan.

#Islamabad: Pakistan's PM, @ImranKhanPTI, calls Pashtuns on both sides of the Durand Line as 'the most xenophobic people on earth, they fight each other normally but when there is an outside thing, they all get together.' (1/2) #SanctionPakistan #SanctionOnPakistan pic.twitter.com/Hz3HJzdvct

— RTA World (@rtaworld) August 12, 2021

“They fight each other normally but when it’s an outside [force], they all get together,” said the prime minister.

Twitterati reacted to PM Khan calling the Pashtuns ‘xenophobic’. As per the Oxford dictionary, ‘xenophobia’ means literally, fear of foreigners or strangers, though the term is often used to refer to attitudes of hatred or contempt rather than pure fear.

The word ‘xenophobic’ means having or showing a dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries.

National Assembly member Mohsin Dawar tweeted, “Shocking to see that in 2021 a PM would label an entire ethnicity as xenophobic.”

Shocking to see that in 2021 a PM would label an entire ethnicity as "xenophobic". I can't believe how he can even think that considering all the Pashtuns around him. Expect these Pashtuns to defend this shameful racist characterisation rather than question and correct him. pic.twitter.com/U9ws8EkJg6

— Mohsin Dawar (@mjdawar) August 12, 2021

Journalist Khurram Husain tweeted, “When you think in stereotypes, the results often look like this.”

When you think in stereotypes, the results often look like this. pic.twitter.com/mMbEFBUZIc

— Khurram Husain (@KhurramHusain) August 12, 2021

A Twitter user wrote, “Imran Khan should apologise to all Pashtuns. We are not xenophobic we are peaceful people who just want to live in peace.”

Imran Khan should apologise to all Pashtuns. We are not xenophobic we are peaceful people who just want to live in peace. Stop demonising us when we are victim of state oppression. pic.twitter.com/Kzdde08WTG

— Ihtesham Afghan (@IhteshamAfghan) August 12, 2021

Another Twitter user requested, “I think time has come that IK should only be giving written speeches/media talks with editing/homework on each question. No more live talks. Restrict him now.”

Journalist Murtaza Solangi questioned, “Is he [Imran Khan] a social scientist or social anthropologist?”

He told journalists that he is not waiting for Biden’s call. His NSA complaints to Yanks why they are not calling him.
Now he dubs all Pashtuns as Xenophobic. Is he a social scientist or social anthropologist? What is he? #SmallPeopleInBigOffices pic.twitter.com/ABDfA3CqRB

— Murtaza Solangi (@murtazasolangi) August 12, 2021