Yes, I know Panjwai is in Southern Afghanistan. I've been there, an thats what I was trying to get across in my comments earliar. Just saying I didn't see one Pakol when I was there.
And what you are saying about them being common certain tribal areas an in the mountains is what I've heard aswell.
Anyways, I still don't know what the hat that I saw the majority of guys wearing, but here's a pic of it
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/6636/usmc324.jpg