Played favorities

[motico]

What is the meaning of the expression in bold? Thanks.

"Pashtun leaders thought that he played favorites to Tajiks…"

[bwkcaj_ca]

Hello Motico;

To play favorites is to choose or grant a privilege to one or more members
of a larger group unfairly (at least unfairly in the eyes of other members
of the group.)

Do you know the English term "teacher's pet?" It's the same idea.

By the way, your sentence should read:

"Pashtun leaders thought that he played favorites with Tajiks…"