Opinion

Who will listen to the plight of the Wakhis?

The Wakhis of Gojal are facing enormous challenges in the shape of scarcity of food, fuel, medicine and relief.

Aziz Ali Dad February 13, 2011

One of the dilemmas faced by postcolonial states is that they inherited the idea of nation states from their masters and they try to impose it on their heterogeneous societies. To establish its identity, it is indispensible for the nation state to delineate its geographical boundaries. Redrawing of boundaries between new nation states has resulted in curtailing of interaction between members of the same culture. However, some nation states have been able to co-opt such communities within the political structure through administrative measures, political concessions and pluralism.

In Pakistani context, the Wakhi people (Xhik in local parlance) in Gilgit-Baltistan represent a case of communities whose cultural kin are divided between Pakistan, China, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. The Wakhis in Pakistan inhabit the border areas of Brughal (Chitral), Shiqamal (Ishkoman) and Gojal, but a majority of their population is concentrated in Tehsil Gojal of Hunza district.

The Wakhis of Gojal are facing enormous challenges in the shape of scarcity of food, fuel, medicine and relief — all of which is due to the creation of an artificial lake (now called Attabad Lake) by a massive landslide over a year ago. The lake has isolated them and dealt a severe blow to the local economy by cutting off access to the Karakoram Highway. Although, the government of Pakistan tried to reach some pockets, its efforts were thwarted by mismanagement within the local administration. In short, the artificial lake still blocks access to the rest of the country for the people of Gojal. The tehsil has harsh weather, and this can be judged from the fact that Attabad Lake is now frozen.

Being part of a community on the periphery, the Wakhis may feel that are being pushed to the wall and look towards their brethrens across the borders in future. In this process, culture can play a crucial role in bonding the divided Wakhis and produce centripetal sentiments. The more the government ignores their miseries, the more centrifugal tendencies may generate. Coupled with this, concrete measures from neighbouring polities may tilt local sympathies in their favour. Keeping the local populace dependent on China for a long time is not in the interests of Pakistan.

In order to circumvent undesirable outcomes of marginalisation, our government needs to take measures on war footing to alleviate their suffering. The Wakhis of Gojal are struggling to save their valley from a catastrophe. Local people cannot change the functioning of nature, nor do they question it, but they are raising questions about the lackadaisical response from the government towards their plight.

The Wakhi people are already disconnected with the rest of the country physically, but ideologically they are still loyal to the state. If these people continue to suffer marginalisation by the state, the physical distance may pave way for ideological alienation. Only by addressing the genuine grievances of these people can the state contain its citizens within its geographical boundaries and win their hearts and minds.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (17)

Nazeer Ali Khan | 13 years ago | Reply The Writer has tried to be fair in articulating the issue of how disaster can affect the passions and nature of communities. He in his expression has tried to compare the situation of the Kruds, (divide in four geographical boundaries) and the Wakhi of Pamir who at the present have been divide into five 6 pockets, three in Paksiatn and China (Xingjian) (Afghnistan (Wakhan, Badaghshan ) Tajikistan(Nagorno- Bdakhshan). They have same connection as the Khurds despise of the Geographical boundaries. Aziz has highlighted an issue and its effect and put a full stop to his arguments, leaving an open argument for the readers, to see what they have grasp form the point and how concern we are . While as a Result into different ideas and perception, getting the real mind set of the small area, finding different kind of brain working in their given sphere and dimension about any issue related to them. Aziz has not highlighted an issue but is very successfully brought into light our mind set and approach about the concept of WE and how we have been living together for centuries, and what we have achieve and how weak and power we can be about “OUR” issues or OUR cancers as a people of the Mountain which is very close and pressed. In the End to me, What kind of thinking are we developing and where we are heading to do we have developed space of acceptances for each other or still we possess ICE form the Ice Age..

Anti Inshan | 13 years ago | Reply Inshan a fake ID you have no right to exploit we will find your actual name and deal you.you were feeded by wakhis don't forget your past.

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K. Khan | 13 years ago | Reply I disagree Inshan's comment. Nobody has the right to judge a community as a whole entity.

Inshan | 13 years ago | Reply Historically the Wakhis are thought to be very coward and due towhich the then British did not even consider them for joining army...this is known fact and what else do these Wakhis wanna hear??

Taimoor ali | 13 years ago | Reply Inshan, definitely, a non-existent entity, seems to have been dazzled by the richness of Wakhi/Pamiri culture. One can understand and sympathize with your insecurity :-) Get well soon

Sher Khan Arab | 13 years ago | Reply The writer has rightly depicted the situation prevailing in Gojal Tehsil of GB .The reason why people and groups turn against a county or government is clear to everyone and that is Injustice. The people of Gojal inspite of having a very strong strategic position have never tried to act what they can do. Thanks to these peace loving and educated people who have always given priority to their education and development instead of revolt and disobedience. But what is the position on ground might force them to do and that that everyone is aware of. Talking on the cultural aspect of the people of Gojal, I suppose this is a very unique culture in the world having its connections in Afghanistan, China, and Tajikistan. The government has never tried to make any understandings with the above named countries for their cultural exchange.

Jameel | 13 years ago | Reply I agree with Azam Tajik statement and strongly disagree with Inshan who just hate people who are our brothers and belong to same culture. Just i want to correct a piece of information. He says Mr. Aziz Ali Dad is a Wakhi man speaking about Wakhi culture. Inshan for your information I know Aziz Ali Dad. He is not Wakhi but Shina speaker belonging to Gilgit. We appreciate Aziz Ali Dad for he got courage to think about suffering of other people. Mr. Inshan needs to get proper information before getting personal.

shafqat Hussain | 13 years ago | Reply This is in response ot Taimor Ali's comment: I think when we say that Pakistanis have given over Aksai Chin to the Chinese, we are repeating Indian propoganda. Historic record show that the Kashmir State (of which Hunza/Gojal were a part) never had control of Aksai Chin. Moreover, Kashmir State, at the behest of British included the area of Aksai Chin in its maps in the 19th century. The Chinese Amban at Kashghar and Taotoi challanged this map as far back as 1870s. Even some British explorers such as Robert Shaw commeneted that Kashmir State had shown Aksai Chin as part of Kashmir in its maps where as in reality it had never occupied or controlled the area. As far as area on the Central Asian side of Shimshal Pass is concerned, such as Raksam and Darwaza, these areas were granted to the Mir of Hunza for grazing purposes and collection of taxes by the Chinese. It is not clear if the Chinese meant this to be a permamnet transfer of property to the Mir of Hunza. Despite this, Chinese authorities in 1963, when the border was finally settled, gave enough land back to Pakistan, which was on the Central Asian (or Chinese side of the watershed), in ordert to accomodate the annual migration of the Wakhis. Without this Chinese concession, the Wakhis of Shimshal would not have been able to keep the number of the yaks that they do today. I think it is important that we see the history of the region objectively and not swayed by emotional and nationalistic rhetoric. Having said that, there are other forms of injustices and marginalization that the Wakhis have suffered, but Aksai Chin was never the one.

Azam Beg Tajik | 13 years ago | Reply I would appreciate this very vital journalitic contribution from Mr. Aziz Ali Dad for the people of Gojal-Upper Hunza (place of wakhiz and Burusho brothers and sisters). This article reflects the ground realities- quite worsen and people are not aware about their rights of availing humanitarian assistance according to the international standards and commitments. For Inshan ( fake id): please don't try to disort our unity and pluralistic soceity existing for centuries in Hunza and Gilgit-Baltistan by your likes/dislikes and/or ill-wishes. People with lack of information and knowldge always assume and it can not be imposed. Please request for information about the culture of Wakhiz, Burusho, Shina, Domaki and Balti if you have no clue and/or access. I can help you in this regard.

Inshan | 13 years ago | Reply Actually the wakhik have no culture, and Mr Ali Dad pls do not try to distort the facts. If people of Hunza and Ghizer have no complain as they can claim of having a rich culture but I really do not what culture this whaki man is talking about. They way these wakhi guys are trying to spoil the rich culture of Gilgit-Baltistan, especially Hunza, by promoting these so called whakis culture, which franlky speaking exists nowhere.

Taj Rumi | 13 years ago | Reply I am appreciating the realistic approach of Mr Aziz Ali Dad and his timely analysis of the catastrophic situation in the upper Hunza Gojal due to the massive landslide and consequently the formation of the Atabad lake is absolutely right, and he has highlighted the problem at the right time to the Govt administration, political leadership and the civil society organizations to take the issue seriously and make some serious efforts to resolve the problem on priority basis. Otherwise there is no doubt the Wakhi people are patriotic and loyal to their county and unfortunately this plight situation may cause ideological revolt in the region.

karim Damino | 13 years ago | Reply Exactly a good article with an in depth study of region,your honor have rightly pend the issue the extension of wrong behave dealt with those depressed people in their bad days,by the federal government side,the issue of ATTA ABAD destruction has kept in cold storage instead of providing the live stock and immediately recover their life line,it is in fact a matter of concern to all people living in the same region with contiguous areas,,,it is an initial alarm that people must understand,the way they are dealt by the federal government,,,more you try to draw a sketch with the representative element of that affected people but the most smoldering sentiments are yet more awaiting to write and publish,,,we hope you will more focus on regional issues fall upon us since 1947 in the form of unnatural boundary delimitation and feudal political set up which further complex the settlements of geographical,cultural and political deputes......

Zee | 13 years ago | Reply A good effort by writer but I would suggest that next time use simple English and stick to the point of the issue rather than long introductions. As for the devastation of Attabad Lake the view point as addressed by you is true and needs to be taken forth by government and also the useless GB government should be inquired as to the justification of thier useless and 'semi-dictatorship' rule. Another request is it is not a glory to keep attaching every devastation effect to a cause fo revolt to seperate from country or take inspiration from Baluchistan. The people there have benefitted enough in the past without the help of government and can move forth without the foolish ransom of seperatism move as in fashion nowadays. The people have proved to be sensible and patriotic and it is better that you push the positive side rather than rying to sensationalize a serious issue for an incorrect direction.

Taimoor ali | 13 years ago | Reply The Pamiri people will have to come together, to assert themselves culturally, in context of the changing geo-political and geo-cultural realities of Central and South Asia. The Chinese may not support the idea of Pamiri unity because that can mean more dissent at its border areas. Already there is a growing resentment in the region over handing over of Aksai Chin (Ruskam) to China by the Pakistani state. What else would the people of Gojal think if they remain stranded for more than one year due to an inefficient military organization which refuses to accept its inability to drain a dammed river!! The exclusionist political under currents in the Gojal region may be tip of the iceberg!! They are demanding a separate seat in the GBLA and a sub-division status for their region.

saleem khan | 13 years ago | Reply Aziz Ali Dad has rightly communicated the plight of the people of Gojal the Wakhi and Brushaski people living in the peaceful valley of Gojal.We are concerned about our progress we were making, it is the moral duty of state to address the issue and reopen the road, the life line KKH between Pakistan and China. We do have the power to over through the Govt.and save our country from the enemies who are adopting the policy of wait and see. Govt.is still unable to provide medical care as there is no doctor stationed for the last six months, they are totally depending on NGOs thank to AKHSP and Pak Navy for their effort and service to the stranded 25,000 population. We are also thankful to Peoples Republic of China for their generosity they rendered in edibles and fuel; they are the real and time tested friend of Pakistan

Mustafa Kamal | 13 years ago | Reply To me there seems to be no ideological alienation of people vs state in case of Gojal or the whole Gilgit Baltistan. It is something our nationalists have been aired for nearly 30 years. But, yes, their plights need solutions. They should be connected with rest of the country.They have sufferred a lot in the hands of Local and federal administration after the Attaabad tragedy.

Nasir | 13 years ago | Reply Nobody cares! I have been raising this issue for sometime now. But nothing. 0 comments here as well, everybody has this pseudo-nationalistic fever which starts and ends at America. This is not a Nation, it is just some jingoistic religious fanatics who have been foolishly given their own country.

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