Opinion – Editorial: AKDN’s role in Hunza
by Abbas Ali
The engagement of AKDN in development process of Hunza can be traced back to the late 1940s, when it started its program to educate people of Hunza by opening up schools and offering scholarship grants for the region’s youth. The pace of development during that phase, because of the scale of AKDN’s engagement, remained slow and basic. However, since early 1980s Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) has intensified its activities in the region, covering a large spectrum of development initiatives at socio-economic and cultural fronts. AKDN has worked as a conduit for arrival of millions of dollars in this beautiful but poverty stricken region where people have lived for centuries in subsistence socio-economic conditions.
Since AKDN’s intensification of its activities the people of this area have experienced positive and progressive shifts in their living conditions during a short span of 20 years. Today, Hunza can proudly boost about over eighty percent literacy rate, low child and maternal mortality rate, control of Malaria, Hepatitis and many other rampant dieses, because of the services and strategies employed by different agencies of AKDN. The agricultural production per capita has increased many folds due to the initiatives of AKRSP through introduction of technologies, construction of water channels, introduction of new seeds, creating awareness, giving education and training to the poor farmers which they had never ever thought of before. The increased income has been rightly invested by the people of Hunza, motivated by their great leader His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, to educate their children both girls and boys.
Establishment of women organizations (WOs) and Village Organization (VOs) served multiple purposes, at one hand where these grass root community groups have been able first time ever in their history to save and invest millions of rupees for their common benefits. On the other hand, these groups enabled the member of community to create political awareness regarding their rights, responsibilities a and provided a strong political platforms to discuss their issues and problems and put forth in front of government and other NGOs or in case of inter village based political and economic issues. These processes have created leaders at gross roots level.
Surprisingly, as in recent comments regarding the polls, someone named Durbeesh, (which may not be his/her real name but if so, an act of cowardice approaches or he may not be confident of his ideas or feel shame in his own-self about the ideas he is talking about) blames AKDN for depoliticizing the society of Hunza and creating a leadership vacuum. He tries to talk with a Marxist language in terms of classes in society and sometimes talking about religious affiliation of the AKDN with Ismaili community.
Mr. Durbeesh, perhaps, wants to put in practice the ideals of Marx in the society of Hunza, which he may have studied in pure theoretical senses of ideas. The said person does not seem to be familiar with the cultural, political and economic context in which the great Karl Marx had produced his ideas. In terms of religion when Marx is quoted saying that religion is opium of masses. Why did he say that? The idea was established against Christian Orthodoxy, where poor people were told by the church that they will get reward of oppression in this world, in life hereafter (in heaven), if they would disengage themselves from worldly and material well being.
Economically the classes based society was under ruthless capitalism of industrial Europe, where rich were getting richer and poor were getting poorer was the main cause of Marx concern. At the same time economy was base for Marx the most important factor in human life, while culture, politics and religion as super structure. For Marx, labour was mother of all cultures, and intellectual engagement was only possible when there is surplus economic production to feed those who are involved in non-productive intellectual activities, such as politician, students, intellectuals and teacher etc. These all ideas of Marx were based on his experience and study of the Western industrialized world of his time. He has not studied Islam at par with other religions such as Christianity and Judaism, neither he have been to Subcontinent, China, and vast world of Africa. We should have to keep these things in mind when trying to universalize Marxist ideology and so called leftist notions.
Let us now talk about AKDN. Doesn’t AKDN ask everyone in the community to do their best in the society in all material senses? Doesn’t AKDN ask poor communities to improve their economic conditions as one of its top most objectives? Doesn’t AKDN provide an enabling environment for the poverty stricken people at the bottom of social and economic classes?
Through helping people to create additional income and increased economic means AKDN has enabled societies it is serving to create economic surplus that is why today more than any other region of Pakistan, proportionately, people from Hunza are studying in all major universities of Pakistan – me and Durbeesh are in a positions to write and talk about the issues, economics, and society without being involved in physical productive labour.
It is important to remember that AKDN is not a political entity. Neither is its purpose is to push a political movement nor to suppress one. AKDN is to serve marginalized and disadvantaged groups of the society for creation of an enabling social environment for the people to grow.
Nevertheless, it is also important to realize that without basic education, people can not talk about their fundamental human rights in more effective manners. Are not schools the breeding ground for people who bring about social changes?
We cannot deny that the Hunza of today is more politically vibrant, dynamic and energetic than it was ever in the recorded history; our leadership is relatively more educated, aware and strong than it was 20 years back. The choice awareness of competent political leadership that we have today was never ever before.
No doubt that there is always a lot of room for improvement and we the people of Hunza will make that necessary improvement in years to come. Let’s shunt those pessimists and disoriented people and we should be thankful to AKDN for creatting role models of development based on universal and Islamic ethical values of justice, brotherhood, alleviation of poverty and equal distribution of resources in a meritocratic society.
—————————————-
The writer is a graduate of AKU – ISMC, based in London – UK.
Respected Abbas Sahab,
I welcome your opinion so prudently crafted and indeed you have well demonstrated the AKDNs role in Hunza and the North but I am highly diasappointed with you tone towards Durbeesh,You callede him Cowardise,Shy of himself and called Maxist,like in the West they say Jew,Please it is not justice,ou are living in asociety where justice is they base of individual and common attitudes,I fully agree with you opinion but please dont distort your argument with your non parlimentry and personal humiliation,I would say that if I do so then I am not a well representative of AKDN which has did a lot and if sent me even to London by giving me Eduacation from AKU,Its not justice with AKDN, and my stature if I am on such a high seat of learning.I expect you will apologies for it as a responsible citizen and educated person,as you have honestly given your name publicly which speaks for itself
I solute your highly meaningful and deep arguments about the role of AKDN
Hakeem
Good Abbas, is this really you!!!!!!
With due appologise
One more comment Abbas sahib,
You said in your last concluding paragraph
Lets Shunt those passimists and disoriented people
please explain this phrase, you SHUNT them by what ,by arguments,by embargo,by imposing the rule against freedom of expression like in underdeveloped societies,or charging them with penalties,please it would be positive if you could avoid such aggressive rather fascist(sorry to use) words likeShunt leaving them openended which may daviate your oponents from listening you.As it will be an ego entric polarization.
Its just afeedback
Hope you dont mind
Hakeem
Dear Hakeem,
I respect your thoughts and what you have said, when I am talking about Durbeesh, it is just what I meant intellectual honesty. If someone comes up with such striking ideas as Durbeesh and keep in hiding, in the world of intellect it is called cowardice approach. The reasons for it could be the person is either fearful, or he himself is not convinced of his own ideas or just trying to do an intellectual crime so he/she is trying to hide her/himself as any other criminal. As a person Durbeesh is not important but the ideas and values are, I hope what I have said about AKDN will not be overshadowed by what I said about Durbeesh as a principle of intellectual domain.
Abbas
AKDN and its international development endeavours
Under the leadership of His Highness the Aga Khan, AKDN has today emerged as a credible international development agency, comparable to World Bank, Oxfam and many UN agencies. It has inserted itself into the global system by cultivating trust, commitment for excellence, impartiality and a burning desire to change the world for the better. This vision of helping the marginalised communities in selected regions of the world stems from His Highness’ personal interests and the needs of the communities in question. AKDN now works not only in Hunza or Giligit but in East Africa, the Mid-east Central Asia, and Afghanistan. In 2002 Bonn Donor Conference AKDN contributed a whopping 70 million USD in helping rebuild war torn Afghanistan, thus becoming the single most important NGO showing an unprecedented commitment to that war ravaged country. Such examples clearly tell us about the global reach, interest, influence and direction of AKDN agencies. Here, we must ask the relevant question as to what is it that actually distinguishes AKDN from other international institutions and how it has helped us progress in a relatively short span of time or may be held us back. The answer to this question is not easy. In what follows we will try to shed some light on the better ways to see what could be done.
Now those who criticize AKDN actually underestimate its global outreach and overestimate its local impact in places like Hunza. While total complacency and uncritical submission may not really be useful in the long run but we must be prepared to engage in a proper critique with honesty and sincerity. We accept that without examining development and NGO policies and their consequences, without subjecting social change to proper reflection we may not be able to emerge as a confident, self-sustaining and resilient nation.
Full time submission to AKDN and other development agencies run the risk of making us dependent on their whims, policies, resources, and priorities. While AKDN has stood the test of time by demonstrating long-term commitment to social change rather than becoming a seasonal migration bird, yet we need to be careful. It may continue to show its interest in the future but we cannot do anything if circumstances change and these AKDN agencies along-with other NGOs simply stop investing further in our region. We should accept the fact that most of NGOs in Giligit-Baltistan are not indigenously based, not rooted in our own traditions and heritage. As was pointed out earlier that these institutions are global in nature thus they have global agendas. Now the question still remains as to why AKDN is so different that it should really deserve our respect, cooperation, friendship and goodwill. I think there are good reasons for and they are: AKDN doesn’t interfere in the political structure of societies and communities where it works, these agencies promote volunteerism and tolerance as opposed to selfish individualism and sectarianism, and they are committed to bringing long-term change rather than focus on short-term emergency situations. The development philosophy that underpins AKDN work is that of comprehensive change rather than focusing on a single specific sector such as poverty reduction. Given the fact that development is a complex process involving many factors including the availability or natural resources, the quality of leadership, human skills and talent. Here AKDN institutions have kept themselves apart form sensitive matters and has only tried to promote an enabling environment for flourishing of human talent and has attempted to realise
Here I would differ from Derbeesh sahip when he talks about the downsides of AK intuitions. He seems to be obsessed with AKDN’s work in Hunza only. I wonder why he doesn’t appreciate the work of AKDN in Baltistan, Ghizer, and Chitral. AKDN is not only confined to Hunza or Ismaili people. It is a development bandwagon with open arms and everybody is invited. Whoever accepts its ideology or methods can become part of it. People in Chilas resisted AKDN assistance for very long even they refused outside intervention form the UN and its agencies. For example IFAD the UN’s agency concerned with enhancing farm productivity tried to introduce some new methods of farming in Astore but the idea was flatly rejected. Well who lost at the end of the day: the poor people who have little access to education, opportunities and alternatives suffered indeed?
It goes without saying that change is one of the perennial human phenomenon, as Muhammad Iqbal the great poet epitomised this idea by saying that it is only the change that is constant in the world, all else perishes. This means that we should be prepared to embrace social change in our society, and sometimes social change doesn’t come too easily. It is often painful, difficult and even violent. Witness the great changes that catapulted European societies to world dominance today. These European societies underwent deep systemic changes over a long period of time often accompanied by wars, conflicts, and all kinds of violence. After decades of stillness we in Giligit-Baltistan and Hunza regions are at the cusp of great changes. Now the wisdom is to foster a process that actually helps us manage this change. In the final analysis we cannot live in total isolation form outside help or intervention, if don’t accept peaceful international help then violent and negative foreign elements always find ways to creep into closed societies like ours.
Finally can I also thank Abbas Ali sahip for doing an excellent job of setting the agenda right to debate the role AKDN in Hunza and in the wider GB region.
Best regards
ali al-Hakim
Abbas sahib,
You said in your last concluding paragraph
Lets Shunt those passimists and disoriented people
please explain this phrase, you SHUNT them by what ,by arguments or ,by imposing the rule against freedom of expression ,or charging them with penalties,!!!!
please it would be a positive apeoach if you could fuether explain such hard words not letting them openended which may daviate your oponents from listening you.As it will be an ego centric polarization
Hope for the triupmphet od democracy
hakim
Dear collegues
Just see the Vedio Documentary on AKDN
it will help you many things visually understand
http://www.akdn.org/videos.asp
Hakim
CNN Vedio on AKDN work in Remote areas of pakistan
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2005/10/13/stevens.pakistan.aga.khan.relief.cnn?iref=videosearch
hakim
Also visit an intersting vedios site to buy DVDs
http://www.agakhanfilm.org/
Hakim
Have a look at famous Blog of the film maker
http://agakhanfilm.blogspot.com/2008/10/aga-khan-film-premieres-in-west-africa.html
Hakim
Abbas!
Great job done.
I profoundly welcome ur opinion that the way you paved the overall socio economic upgradation history of Hunza as a result of AKDN’s long lasting initiatives.
Indeed it’s AKDN and the esteemed vision of Imamat of the Hour, that @ 180 degree changed the socio-economic standards of Hunza, rather I would say, of the whole northern region.
It would be absolutely unjust to give such remarks about the credebility of AKDN.
I don’t know what to call the article cum editorial of Abbas Ali. bravo? brilliant? Or vibrant? But no! it should be called the other way round. The article is a mere blend of illogical and meaningless words and heart ranching and much depressing was to know that the writer is a graduate of AKU-ISMC.
The writer has attempted in a childish manner to represent himself as the spokesman or better call loudspeaker of AKDN and I don’t know how the people at Pamir Times decided to add the word editorial to the article. Is Pamir Times a propaganda tool of AKDN??? The way the writer has been philippic with some one favoring Marx shows his logical acceptance level and this is the dilemma of the so called scholars at the institutions of AKDN. They consider themselves what is called in Urdu aqley kul and others jaahil. Isn’t it? At least I got this impression from the article of the writer.
The writer has referred to Aga Khan as our great leader may I please know that what do you mean by the word our? Pamir Times or Hunza? If you mean the former than let me say that you should clearly mention at this Blog that it is for and of Ismailies and if you mean the later then for your kind information there is another community besides Islamilies living in Hunza whom you are completely ignoring. The writer has also mentioned that Marx has not studied Islam. Well which Islam have you referred to? The one practiced in Waziristan or that of Iran. I won’t comment on the word Marxist language that the writer has used as I am well aware of the nausea Ismaili clerics have from the very name of Marx and socialism. Is this nausea not the result of brainwashing regarding socialism and progressivism? In a nut shell the article is the result of brain washing and immature ideas.
Mr. Hakeem, do look at your own language and style, I think you are not a judge and may not have the capacity to judge people’s comments on this blog. Your own attitude derails the discussions from the main focus of the topic of the debate. It is requested to express your opinion and don’t try to derail the discussions from its main point to unimportant peripheries. Phehaly Apney Giraybaan may Jankay Dikh loo.
Karim
Dear readers,
You could find the answer to the question of Mr. Hakeem in his own words, you could see in his comments what is meant a parliamentary language for him.
Thank you Hakeem Sahib for the answer you have provided in your own comments for the questions you asked me to explain.
Abbas
Thanks Abbas Ali (AKDN-pampered intellecrtual).
Let me correct you that Marx (Karl0 never stipulted his theory for the welfare of pockets rather he advocated collectivism hich erroneously (by minority communities termed pluralism for their survivil amids larger communities) and he never lent support to NGOs which are agents of neoimperialism and sponosored by Golbal corporte mafia like MNCs (multintional companies). NGOs basically are brainchild of Marshal Plan of USA and its allies started in Europe afterAfter WW-II as bulwark to expanding communism and therefore you have wrongly chosen the title of “spokesman” of AKDN without understanding the designs of AKDN in NAs. Your superficiality gets you exposed when you selected the language and words for me, thanks you as it exposes yourown filthy intellectual hollowness and bankruptcy. The more you defend AKDN, the more it becomes suspicious and your ‘bogus thesis’ on AKDN is meant only to inform the web surfers that you know such and such jargons, such and such words and have gained ability to write in English which is not a fundamental for learning as though (inferiority complex indeed). Your selection of words for me rendered you illiterate what though you have gotten a paper piece called degree. I know the publications, documentaries and videos about AKDN and also know that how many million dollars were spent to bribe publishers and broadcasters. Ask any member of sister communities in NA about role of AKDN, the answer will be very shocking, fatal and full of intrigues. Where are your flourishing VOs and WOs Mr Abbas? All have been turned into pauper organizations and their deposited money has long been pilfered by the fat managers. Your people have been tied up in courts for defaults and today overall economic condition of Hunza is no better than an insolvent economy. Still you are brgging and adamant to assert that your AKDN worked miracles. You must be joking then. If it has been so why then so many of you ‘educated people’ are wandering in cities in search of jobs unable to attain self-sufficiency through wisdom and knowledge given by AKDN to you? Aping Khojas will be bad expereince and do try to become sons of soil. I still espouse the idea that AKDN marginalized people of Hunza not only in politics but also in socio-economic sphere. My humble suggestion is that please cash your rosy thesis for award of a lucrative job of course in AKDN or my be it will work for a scholarship obviously by AKDN. For all honesty you have tried you best to defend AKDN and so deserving. Let me excuse all those people who do not see wood for trees.
Bashing people as sectarian bigots, communist, socialists, fundamentalists, nihilist, existentialist, phenomenologist, capitalists and atheists will not stem criticism against your holy AKDN, Mr Abbas. Please be polite if you want to grow intellectually and your style is very close to that of Nazis which may not be fit in the scheme of new world. Your thesis is classical example of brinkmanship and comrade Marx must be turning sides in grave upon reading your thesis in which you have conveniently accused him of what he never said. Corporate goons do also miss no chance to turn Marx and Che’s ideas into their own interests. Yes I am convinced that Hunza will never experience Marxism because it is more backward and will remain the same so long as pseudo intellectuals keep misguiding people.
Cheers
It was interesting to note the guy, Durbeesh??, giving comments over AKDN/NGOs in an irrelevant topic. I appreciate Abbas’s reply to him in a more comprehensive way for his consumption, otherwise, role of AKDN in Hunza or anywhere else in the world is not piece of an article to cover with.
Anyhow, freedom of expression should have some limits, etiquettes, relevancy, and reasoing, if has something to do with intellectual grooming or knowledge sharing.
Dear Friends
We call ourselves educated and Civilised, but our words are saying,we are not, we are still uneducated, debate on political issue, how to solve the leadership issues,
don,t be personal
dear a ali hakim,
so nice to see your detaled conclusion to the discussion of this week.
i pay my appreciations to all including darbeesh ali sahib that you presented ur ideas,listened one another and we all learned the facts.it is the beauty of democracy and mutual respect of opinion.
i am more hopful about all of this discussion to be a milestone for clearing the illusions about the subject in many minds.
i appreciate abbass sahib for his hard work of making a very literal nature of document on the sybject which he presented in detail.
have a nice time and a good day/
Almighty bless you all with wisdom and positive thinking
hakim
Why this bias, Dear Editors?
I have a democratic right to protest as to why my reply to Abbas Ali was taken off the website? I may not be allowed to jump to the conclusion that it is not exclusive for certain individuals, certain regions or certain people who subscribe to protect the holiness of certain NGOs. To be polite, it is a clear bias indeed towards other people who do have dissenting ideas over the issues confronting GB. I shall keep posting my comments until I get a clarification about it.
I am happy that Abbas Ali (comments on GB sitting in London!) took many pains to bring a counter argument to what I tried to explain about AKDN. But unfortunately the editors and moderators of this esteemed web forum published his personal grudges in the form of “opinion-editorial”. This has saddened me because the forum is allowed to be hijacked or held hostage by a single person in the name of editorial. It may have been a piece of public relations (PR) which erroneously got printed as editorial putting many reverend editors to shame. I guess editors of leading newspapers would feel embarrassed and media students must be cursing themselves upon reading his Editorial. Even a layman like me can understand what is an editorial – a piece of fine writing with information, knowledge, politeness, depth, decency, respect, sobriety, quality, objectivity and above reflects the opinion of a media organization not that a personal account be called editorial. But in his ‘editorial’, the London-based Abbas vent all his anger against poor Durbeesh of Gilgit flouting all norms of respected editors. Comments based on personal grudges may well be categorized as an FIR against Durbeesh in a police station but not an editorial please.
Moreover, my humble suggestion to Abbas is that his assiduously written ‘editorial’ can be a good preface for a rosy annual report of AKDN publication (to donors of course) but no less than an insult to editorials written in newspapers or online media.
Dear Editors of PT, why were you carried away by his personal comments and why allowed this be so? It is mockery of genuine editorialists writing daily in newspapers which is also a source of embarrassment and insult to you and your valued surfers.
Upholding objectivity is real question in media organizations of world today. Therefore your editors should not stand swayed by bombardment of “rented words” that carry no meaning and relevance for my poor communities of GB. I doubt it never occurred to Mr Abbas to read editorials of leading papers before getting provoked into writing an “editorial” (PR exercise of AKDN indeed).
Now to Dear Abbas Ali (a graduate of AKU – ISMC, based in London – UK, coveted title for social marketing, dear).
I lament that you tried your best to impress the web surfers through excessive use of verbosity and junk words (NGO filth) and failed to convince people like this subscriber. Flaunting English has long been a sub-continental favorite pastime because of century-old serfdom and slavery under the British Raj and East India Company (mind that you are still in London). This approach is still upheld by many of our self-styled writers to promote their agenda and to serve their masters. So it is not surprising see this all in your ‘editorial’.
Secondly, Hunza’s intellectualism always ends up in the intellectual antics of (Allama Dr Prof) Naseer Hunzai so please don’t accuse me of being a pessimist, frustrate as I can foresee your future in Naseer’s intellectual fiasco. Do try (your best of course) to psychoanalyze the paragon of your intellectual edifice (Naseer la Hunza) before seeking remedies for my psychological strains.
Please don’t escape the debate accusing your reverend intellectual doyen of committing profanity or for that matter ringleader of his own opulent and occult cult!
After all, guru Naseer is from you, a sublime product of your culture, your land and what if he disagreed with equally esoteric dogma enterprises to promote his own!
I can find no difference between him and you. Being a student of history and sociology, Naseer merits more respect for he is blessed with creativity in a sense that he contributed to revive, preserve and promote your language through script development and as such his contributions are localized, indigenous and genuine to be honest compare to what we have been busy in “cut-and-paste”. Or, stealing words from the supermarkets of social dumping sponsored by holy NGOs in which many of us find spiritual solace.
Thirdly, I gather from your write-up that holy NGOs and MNCs have now replaced the nation states and prevailing holy practices (your discourse et al) and have much stronger than divine beliefs. MNCs do in rich states and NGOs in backward societies. Therefore, it is sin to find faults with NGOs and MNCs (Reference Ali, Abbas, London).
Certainly they deliver more than unprofitable dogmas, the latter being banking on fear and greed after death unable to feed empty stomachs.
Dear Abbas, it is an opportune time for me to withdraw from the debate that is incapable of identifying fine line between corporatization of religion and uneven development. So Mr Abbas, you may blacken thousands of pages to defend benign exploiters but I stand withdrawn. Please do try to write something on the plight of DJ schoolteachers and students of GB if time and space permits you, so that you are able to see a glimpse of all-pervasive development orchestrated by holy NGOs in GB before tracing history of ‘meritocracy’ back to 1948.
Thanks for criticizing me I really enjoyed reading ‘educated minds’.
Dear Editors of PT, it is hoped that I may be allowed space for my last contribution.
Durbeesh Gilgit
Dear Editors:
Justice demands that my reply to NGO philosopher may be allowed to appear. delaying someone his right of defence is amount to deny him space and it become partisan on your part.
Or if that is not possible, please take the “nonsensical editorial of Abbas” off the website so that miscarriage of justice may not take place.
Durbeesh
There is nothing more to say what Durbeesh has written but it is only “broth on a sea”. Readers are good judges.
Abbas
Very rationale contribution and debate from Darbeesh but i suggest him to write the comments with original name and email id.
My humble request dont stop posting the comments of any one, whatever is the comments let it be here in the web, in this connection i fully endosed durbeesh view.
thnaks to PT editors for doing justice and becoming unbiased indeed. Dear Abbas don’t lose temper upon showing you the mirror. I can expect the langauge you used “broth on ses”. I will never comment on it because it specific to my person and personal venom must not be alloed to spit here at this vibrant forum.
THanks Editors of PT and as per my promise I will post nothing you just words of AKDN’s holy philosopher! Hazarat Ali said:
“Rudenes is the weak man’s imitation of strength”.
Cheers
Dear All,
It is very much encouraging, at least to me, when I see stimulating discussions and opinion posts on political issues spanning over other interlinked issues. A very much focused response over criticism on AKDN is already been posted by the PT team written by Abbass Ali and counter argument from Durbeesh. I myself work for AKDN therefore I will not argue more on the role of AKDN in response to Durbeesh Sahib’s arguments. However, purely from my personal perspective I’d like to give another dimension to this discussion. If I look at the comments of Durbeesh from a positive angle, as we should appreciate the freedom of speech rights of all individual, he did touch some underlying issues of development stage of Hunza. Over two decades of record time Northern Areas in general and Hunza Valley in particular has achieved tremendous development outcomes. The development theory, over which Durbeesh may not agree, as this his right to, demonstrated in the history that there will be fallouts of rapid development growth, in capital management and behaviors. Therefore, we should expect and ready for certain fallouts of development, its agents, and beneficiaries and also growing conflicts, groups and emerging social school of thoughts are part of this process. At the anthological side, there is no single solution so far tested in the world which satisfies humans across the bored. Hence we must have tolerance to hear all voices around and redirect ourselves on our own ways. Therefore, I’d suggest to all readers, writers and moderators to be tolerant, adaptive and responsive to all discussions which worth to read and comment upon.
We have two sets of opinions are coming across over a discussion emerged around elections poll and turned into a discussion of NGOs and mainly criticism over AKDN. All have right to criticize on every one around, which is for me, a healthy sign of participatory good governance as we all as citizens of this country are part of governance structures in one way or the other.
Now without defending AKDN or any other civil society organization I am posing a question to respectable individuals of both right wing and left wings contributors to come up with a discussion of solutions to the problems. We should structure this debate without disliking each other. We should also avoid being judgmental to individual’s knowledge, capacities and or weaknesses. I’d suggest that we must de-link the criticism over AKDN from the Jammati issues. AKDN’s program weather at higher performance or lesser worked in other regions where there is no single ismaili. Hence, do criticize but keeps aside religion from it just for time being so that we can structure this discussion and come to a good and attainable conclusion in order to create an enabling environment to serve the “soil” which Durbeesh has rightly indicated. Now let me suggest some points for constructive and structured discussions; I’d suggest limiting ourselves to the issues and realities – we do not need to reinvent theories. around communism and capitalism – as both are going through experience of success and failure – collapse of USSR and emerging capitalist New Russia who is right and wrong? We are not here to decide let them do it!- Socialist China yet with full of Multinationals in the country – socialist Latin America, and referendums to remain in the power- and finally US designed free market economy – at a collapsing stage – affecting every one around the world – soon or later something new will come out – so lets wait for that – currently I think we need to correct ourselves keeping all this mind and decide what is good for us, hence some issues out of this encouraging debate are as under – needs all your positive thoughts to draw conclusions.
1. From Durbeesh’s comments, an emerging issue has arisen – NGOs including AKDN created a vacuum in political sphere and leadership stature in Hunza Valley –
(Please keep the context in your mind – what is the role of our political leaders in the mainstream country politics and state policy making? What is our NAs status at UN table – a de-facto affiliation with Pakistan – rotten in Indo- Pak politics? So in this context we have to decide what kind of leaders you need – in my opinion honest leaders who can at least deliver what is been planned for the people of this area by planning commission- the rest they don’t have and the can’t have influence over policy at the national level – so please comment keeping in your mind the given context- the reason is – look at Chitral- AKDN is also working there – Now they have Provincial Minister – an ex worker of an NGO – political context does matter)
2. Emerging inequality and no equitable development in Hunza: whom to blame? AKDN alone? Traditional systems of classes which still exist in one way or the other? Do we need the system before 1970? What are the potential options for coexistence? Or let’s explore the idea of Durveesh for socialist based system in Hunza to bring about equity and equality? Lets explore local but applicable solutions !!!
I would like to limit the discussions around these two if at all PT moderators allow to open this discussion. I apologies in advance from all of you, over my language, if any one of you dislike its tone. I would also like to clear that neither I am writing an essay nor a thesis and or any counter argument to any one of you.
Best
Jalal
Mr. Durbeesh, you have received much calm and appropriate response to your ideas. It is so sad that you claim to be from this area, let us know your identity otherwise you are ideas are nothing than just mere frustration and propaganda. You claim to read the minds of other people, without realizing that people have had a better idea of your own thoughts and personality, the language which you use is not one which could be used by a cultured and rational person and this forum of education people expects cultured attitudes and language. It is hoped that you will learn from others at this forum.
Forget about you ill prophecy regarding Talibanization of Hunza, as in the words of Salman a journalist, People in Hunza have more important things to do in their lives than to become a Taliban.
The educated readers of prestigious Pamir Time hope not to respond in any way to Durbeesh or any other, unless He/She does not disclose his identity and corrects his language. The language is in current form in appropriate and it is request to the PT not to publish anything that is below standard on moral and ethical grounds of a decent communication.
Hidayat Karim
Dear Derbeesh,
I am furious to see you comments in ur last posts calling ur opponents the people in Swat and Waziristan,You definately meant TERRORISTS and u mean the world should interfare to stop us and ur integrity before us is very doubtfulAnd I am failed to see any flexibilty in your opinion.You reject almost every aspct of an organization,and aphilosophy and even aculture.I will not shy to call you an extremist and a potential TERRORIST rather you call ur oponents with this title,please look inward also
Hakim
A request for PT,
Dear Editor,
Please donnot bring such sensitive issues related to public faith centiments into a public discussion,People are really get hurt out of open and blunt criticizm on such sensitive issues concerning their faith.No public service any more rather inviting unidntified elements like Darbeesh and others who seemed me too indifferent towards ones ltural and ideological sentiments.
I hope you will get this point for future.
Hakim
hahahahahahah! Hakeem Jee
I am not that wild at heart nor savage at mind as you futilely tried to portray me before the surfers. But anyway thanks be to you as after all you too got provoked into jumping the fray of “Philosophers’ Manufacturing Inc” and I respect whatever you said about me. Please note that Talibanization is more a mindset than its physical existence. Please do read the attitudes of your co-contributors as almost all have gone berserk in criticisng me. My purpose is to provoke debate by raising harsh queries. I am not an intellectual or philosopher to find solutions for yot. My job is to ask questions that are so far couched in taboos in a society which is based on pretentious values and artificial respect to each other. The journalist you quoted must be a friend of Abbas Ali, the London based AKDN philosopher, Isn’t he?
To Hidayat Karim Sahip:
You are right but it is hard for you to see your picture when you are inside the frame. I am dismayed to learn that you are also a prisoner of culture that has been reduced to drumbeating and flute playing in Hunza. You too showed zero tolerance, indeed. Why are you so afraid of criticism and critiques, Dear Advice Karim?
Dear Jalal:
The topic chosen for debate is very interesting and fascinating but I am afraid that it will trigger infighting and regimentation among local Hunza tribes by dividing them into pro-Mir and anti-Mir blocs. The period (1965-1975) signifies the last glory and glamour of Mirs in Hunza but is fraught with serious controversies and it may be hard to discuss some harsh realities at this portal. The state, economy and politics of Hunza-Nagar at that time (as a debate) is very important and therefore it will be a service on the part of PT if people who lived under these administrations are interviewed so that divergent opinions can be culled to put them for further analysis.
Durbeesh
A request for PT,
Dear NUR,
I fully agree with Hakeem Bhai, Please donnot bring such sensitive issues related to public faith centiments into a public discussion, and SHUNT those comments which are not relevant. Many people hurt because of DURBEESH and KARRARs comments. I hope you will understand the situation
We don like to see any further comment on this issue from these guys because they could not change there way of thinking.
Regards
Ejaz
Dear Darbeesh,
I want to shed my blood over every single word you use in your comment becasue your English is so sophisticated and literary and what not and what not.
But the smell out of this external beauty is so stinking that no body wants to look at them.Your meanings in these beutiful words are stinking because you are ahardliner.You are an AQL eKUL.And not felxible.
So if a beutiful girl is so proudy and rude boys prefer go to choose someone who is amicable and polite.
You portray aour ideas in such extenal honeycoded words but alot of smell inside.
Please value yourself and your Immense English profeciency by opening your mind and learning to smile.Otherwise your ideas and yourself will be excluded like an unwanted hair out of milking pot from the mainstream as we see here in these couple of Blogs.
With Hope of Divine Guidance
Hakeem
Thanks Hakeem saahip
I have never used any obnoxious words or phrases that might hurt you but offered simple explanation to what you and your brothers-in-arms have been saying from the nook and corner of the world. Anyway excuse me for my pugnacious ventures but be tolerant as this is the real worth on your part. Yes, I am unable to sugarcoat harsh realities of my region which has been hijacked by NGOs, sectarian politics, tribal biases, regionalism, parochialism, and to some extent by racial profiling which are all tools of dividing people in the hands of vested interests. I still see hope in guys like you who are rational and thinking minds and hopefully one day you will realize these harsh facts and rise to the occasion. You are sarcastic about my English and let me say that it is particularly your problem as I am least bother about construction of language but meaning must stand communicated. Feeling putrid smell in my words may be due to your ‘perception-lock’ and pre-judgmental thought process for which I can offer no tonic and you may curse me as much as you can. Anyway I am happy to read your comments, by God.
My humble suggestion to Ejaz is that please write in Shina, urdu or brushaski so that you can be heard and understood. Heaven knows why you are so insecure and defensive reagrding the discussions in spite of your being a devout believer. One hopes you will not lose your ‘zealously guarded faith’ because of our weaker arguments.
Durbeesh
I would like to extend thanks to all those who have burn their night’s oil to bring forth their comments and ideas no matter in whatever form. Although some have named me with all the igniting names they knew in their intellectual engagement throughout their lives that just make me smile about those people. I would like to put here words of appreciation to Hakeem Sahib who tried to moderate wherever any of us tried to flung blindly the limits of courtesy, decency and cultured way of intellectual engagement that is the corner stone of our society in Hunza, though sometimes he himself gone astray.
The most important thing that I personally realized and happy about is that the people of Hunza have no lack of diversity of thoughts and opinions, we do not bow to one or other form of intellectual’s stipulations rather challenge it critically and it’s most important for progress. Either it is Ali-Alhakim, Karar, Hidayat Karim, Jalal or Durbeesh (though we don’t know his identity and at the same time know as well and most probably he is a friend) and others who have put forward very important questions we in the society have to deliberate upon in order to improve our beloved homeland of Hunza and its people.
Further to this Hakeem Sahib’s argument is convincing that if one does talks a language that is full of filth, indecent noise, lack arguments and based on long-windedness of polemical boosting, decent people just shove it off and it doesn’t have any intellectual worth.
Finally I thank all those who have critic me and have provided an opportunity to learn and grow further. We all need to appreciate the enormous benefits of Pamir Times and I would like to take this opportunity to request all readers to suggest in whatever way we could contribute to make this holy initiative a step ahead. I am sure most of the readers will be agreed to extend financial contributions voluntarily which we could beside intellectual services of time and knowledge as it is an important component of the soul of our tariqa as well. Let us all joined hands with Pamir Times so it could keep continue and improve its efforts to improve lives of thousands of people.
Abba Ali
I fully agree with Durbeesh Ali, we are plagued with these malices of different type. There is not point in engaging in a brawl with him over his clear views.
Dear All,
I presume it is silly to burn midnight oil to dumpt intellectual trash littered by selfstyled intellectuals while tinkering with the complex ideas!
We must realize the fault lines of our inane ideas and thus should not take cudgels on the part of groups and organizations – in whatever name they exist – particularly when we are shorn of arguments to defend them.
Intellectual armory works when its users are equally in possession of dexterity of how to attack your adversary with his/her own chosen words. Ironically, bringing forth new jargons and phrases hardly do anyservice to build any image for volunteers of dynastical wisdom. And my request to all our valued contributors of PT is that “never choose your weaker allies to make decisions for you”.
Clarifications will not work when damage is already done. Making obscure allusions and puns may not recoup our intellectual impoverishment, of course.
The aficionados of intellectual megalomania will never be able to recognize/appreciate the efforts and contributions of their fellow people in remote areas and passing snide remarks about them simply depicts the tragedy of their thought process to which they have been held hostage for so long. One should sign out at this not-so-positive note that we should avoid staging a coup de grace (from spiritual intellectualism to erotic fundamentalism) against ourselves and must shun blackmailing people in the name of imperialistic notions such as ‘cultured ways’.
Durbeesh