Karzai: Civilization of Northern India and Pakistan Is a Continuation of Afghanistan’s Heritage

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has responded to recent remarks by Pakistan’s President, stating that the civilization of present-day northern India and Pakistan is a continuation of Afghanistan’s historical civilization. Karzai’s comments came after Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari described Kandahar and the Gandhara civilization as part of Pakistan’s cultural heritage, and referred to certain historical and cultural narratives—such as the love story of Adam Khan and Durkhanai, as well as the rubab instrument—as belonging to Pakistan’s cultural domain. In a post on X Karzai wrote that Kandahar and its civilization are rooted in ancient Ariana, a historical region that extended from Bamiyan to the Indus basin and constitutes a significant part of Afghanistan’s present-day history. He further emphasized that the romantic tale of Adam Khan and Durkhanai, along with the rubab, are integral elements of Afghanistan’s cultural heritage. The rubab, also known as the “Kabuli rubab,” is considered one of the most important traditional musical instruments of the country. According to Karzai, the instrument was registered in 2024 by UNESCO as part of Afghanistan’s cultural heritage.