Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has strongly contested cultural and civilisational claims made by Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari, triggering a broader debate over shared heritage in the region. Karzai presented historical and cultural evidence to counter Zardari’s assertion that Pakistan holds exclusive ownership over elements such as the Gandhara civilisation, the musical instrument rubab, and Pashto folklore traditions.
The controversy began after Zardari’s message on World Heritage Day, where he described Pakistan as a cradle of multiple ancient civilisations, including the Indus Valley Civilisation and the Gandhara civilisation. He also laid claim to various forms of intangible cultural heritage, including folk tales like Adam Khan and Durkhanai, and musical instruments such as the rubab, tabla, dholak, and chimta, presenting them as part of Pakistan’s exclusive cultural identity.
Responding to these claims, Karzai argued that such civilisations and traditions cannot be confined within modern political boundaries. He stated that the Gandhara civilisation historically extended across a broader region known as ancient Ariana, which included areas from present-day Afghanistan to the Indus Valley. He emphasised that the cultural and civilisational legacy of this region is shared among multiple countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, rather than belonging exclusively to one nation.
Karzai further asserted that the rubab, a traditional stringed instrument, is fundamentally part of Afghanistan’s cultural heritage. He supported this claim by pointing out that the art of rubab-making has been recognised by UNESCO as an element of Afghanistan’s intangible cultural heritage. In addition, he maintained that the Pashto folklore of Adam Khan and Durkhanai originates from Afghan cultural traditions, reinforcing his argument that these elements are deeply rooted in Afghanistan’s historical identity.
To substantiate his position, Karzai referred to historical sources, including scholarly works such as Melli Hindara, to demonstrate the geographical and cultural spread of these traditions beyond present-day Pakistan. His response framed the issue not just as a dispute over ownership, but as a reminder of the interconnected history of the region.
The exchange comes at a time of fragile relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, following recent cross-border tensions. While diplomatic efforts have sought to stabilise ties, disputes over history, identity, and cultural heritage continue to surface, reflecting deeper geopolitical and historical sensitivities.
Overall, Karzai’s rebuttal underscores that much of South and Central Asia shares a deeply intertwined past, where civilisations like Gandhara and cultural expressions such as music and folklore evolved across regions that now fall within different national boundaries.
