In the quiet town of Kot Qalandar, Bannu, lives Nawab Ali Khan, a man whose story reflects the quiet heroism and resilience found in the heartlands of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A father of two martyred sons and caretaker of five grandchildren and a twice-widowed daughter-in-law, Nawab’s story stands as a solemn tribute to the unseen sacrifices made in Pakistan’s war on terror.
Nawab Ali Khan’s two sons, Anwar and Shah Mahmood, both served in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police. His elder son, Anwar, was martyred in a targeted attack in 2009. At the time, Anwar left behind a young widow and a daughter only three and a half months old.
In keeping with local customs and for the protection and dignity of the widow, she was married to Anwar’s younger brother, Shah Mahmood. Together, they tried to rebuild a life disrupted by loss—only for tragedy to strike again. In 2020, Shah Mahmood too was martyred in the line of duty.
Now, Nawab lives with the widow, Khushbakht (name changed to respect cultural norms), and five grandchildren—raising them as a family bound not just by blood, but by shared grief and national pride.
Yet, what truly sets this story apart is not just the loss—but the incredible strength of the daughter-in-law, Khushbakht, who remains part of Nawab’s household, helping raise the children of both her late husbands. Despite societal expectations and the possibility of remarriage, she has chosen to stay with the family that lost two of its sons defending the country.
“I’m proud of my sons, and I’m proud of my daughter-in-law,” says Nawab Ali Khan. “She could have remarried, started a new life, but she chose to stay with us. Maybe because she, too, knows what it means to be part of a family that gave not one, but two sons for the motherland.”
The KP Police Department continues to stay in touch with the family, checking in regularly—a small but meaningful recognition of their loss.
Fathers Taking a Stand Against Terrorism
While Nawab Ali Khan’s story is one of sacrifice in service to the nation, two other fathers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have taken a different but equally courageous stand—choosing country over blood.
In Painda Khel Domel, Karak, Usman Ghani publicly disowned his son, Rasool Ghani, after discovering his involvement with terrorist groups. “He chose the path of violence, and I chose peace,” Usman declared, stating he has cut all ties with his son and even moved his family to Islamabad to protect them.
Similarly, in Kot Isa Khan, Dera Ismail Khan, a father went viral on social media after he issued a heartfelt video message disowning his son, Siddique, for joining the ranks of the outlawed TTP. “I don’t want to see him. I won’t attend his funeral. He is no longer my son,” the father declared in a voice choked with pain but strengthened by conviction.
These stories, different in nature, are united by the same thread—sacrifice for the nation. Whether it’s laying down lives in uniform or severing ties with one’s own child to stand on the right side of history, the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continue to send a clear message: Pakistan comes first.
