Pakistan, Nov. 9 -- The meaning of "Badal" has long been a subject of discussion, debate and, perhaps, misunderstanding in the history and cultural representation of Pashtun society. Frequently translated into English as revenge, the Pashto concept carries a much broader cultural and social significance that cannot necessarily be captured through a single word. In his book, "Badal Not Revenge: A Story of Centuries of Misrepresentation", author Waqar Ali Khan challenges the conventional understanding of Badal and invites readers to reconsider how Pashtun traditions, values and social structures have been interpreted and presented over centuries.

The book raises an important question: Has Pashtun society been understood through its own his...