Yes u can use basmati but that particular taste of aghani pulao will be missing. Yes baby u can skip raisins and add masalas but u will end up with something other then afghani pulao then
Isit that u wan to skip raisins cuz u think sweet raisins wont go well with a pulao? Just experiment this. U will love it.
About masalas, most of the afgani and nothern dishes dont have a lot of spices. This is what makes their special taste