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Afghan ( Pashto / Persian: افغان ; see etymology ) is used to indicate a citizen of Afghanistan.

Prior to this definition, it was used by Persian-speakers ( and others influenced by Persian ) to denote the Pashtun people.

Nowadays, " Afghan " is usually not used as an ethnic term, but as a national demonym for all citizens of Afghanistan, while " Pashtun "-the native ethnonym of this people-is largely used in a linguistic sense to refer to native speakers of Pashto.

The fourth article of the Constitution of Afghanistan states that citizens of Afghanistan include Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazara, Uzbek, Turkmen, Aymaq, Arab, Baluch, Pashayi, Nuristani, Qezelbash, Gujjars and Brahui, who are native inhabitants of the country, and that all citizens of Afghanistan be called Afghans.