Egalitarianism: A Political Model for Gilgit-Baltistan
Izhar Hunzai and Ashabullah Baig
Why Egalitarianism?
The ideals of egalitarianism are based on principles of participation and justice that govern the basic structure of the society—its social, political and economic arrangements. It also reflects the historical struggle for equality rooted in the aspirations of the people that have greatly influenced the content of our culture. In a rapidly changing and transforming world, GB needs a political ideology to create a hopeful future for our children and their children as well as to assume a new identity in an increasingly uncertain world. An ideological framework inspired by ideals of egalitarianism is relevant and binding, as GB’s natural environment, culture and history, support such as a vision, making its realization entirely possible within a generation.
After 18th Amendment, provinces are free to craft their own local government system. GB has an opportunity to create a local government system that nurtures harmony and interdependence among its diverse groups. Like all mountain areas, GB has a difficult geography and high natural and social diversity. Historically, GB was governed as a collection of independent states, thus there are strong identities, which need recognizing in a devolved, democratic, and laterally integrated local government system.
GB’s inherent diversity can be turned into a tremendous opportunity by building an inclusive and pluralistic political system, in which all citizens and groups have common stakes. Until now, this diversity has been mismanaged and it has now turned into a complex problem further compounded by growing sectarian identities. Meanwhile, GB’s development gains have been distributed unevenly and skewed in favor of more accessible urbanizing areas, not remote and isolated valleys and villages. Despite an aggregate improvement in people’s lives, social gap, inequality and marginalization are on the rise. This troubling trend is a major impediment for future peace, harmony and development in the region. The enormous resource development potential of GB is attracting national and international investments that will disproportionately benefit the ‘haves’ more than the ‘have-nots’. This dismaying phenomenon will further aggravate the problem spelling a social disaster for GB.
GB is standing at the crossroad at this point in time in history. It will have to make judicious choices to bring its socio-economic life back on the track. Its natural, human and geo-economic advantages, give it all the ingredients necessary to re-build itself as a democratic, peaceful and prosperous place, guaranteeing all its citizens equal access to opportunity, freedom and security to live in harmony with their natural and human diversity. The opposite scenario is a costly one, but equally possible, leading to discord and conflict and economic marginalization, possibly worse than what can be seen in Balochistan today.
Relevant Political Models
There are many good political models around the world that can offer relevant policy guidance, experience, and desired outcomes. For instance, Singapore offers a political model that is based on merit. Hong Kong has a high degree of economic autonomy from the center. Switzerland provides an example of a highly devolved political system. Switzerland is essentially a federation of former mountain states.
Many elements from these political systems can be adapted to GB’s conditions. The basic challenge is to design a political system that fundamentally reorganizes society. The current ‘winner take all’ political system practiced in Pakistan, and by extension in GB, is highly elitist and divisive.
Social scientists accept political elitism as unavoidable and even necessary, as governing requires highly trained and experienced leaders. An effective government needs leaders who are able to make good policy and quick and fair decisions to allocate resources to implement enabling social and economic policies. These organizational demands of government encourage the development of a political class. These leaders find their elitist position quite rewarding, both in terms of personal gain and power and prestige. Problems arise when this group of ruling elites becomes a monopoly, sometimes keeping political leadership in the family.
The solution is to break the monopoly and recycle this leadership class with infusion of new blood and ideas through long-term investments in education, skills and human and intellectual capital. Singapore is a small city-state with no natural resources, but it has attained the status of a developed, meritocratic and egalitarian society by focusing on education. So, education in its holistic meaning can be an effective tool for building a merit-based political system.
While educational system in the wider country has declined in quality and equity, GB has managed to make significant progress in the field of education for both men and women, surpassing the national averages by a good margin. This edge in education should be taken as the most important driver for GB’s equitable and sustainable development and for building an enlightened, inclusive and pluralistic political system.
This makes sense because despite its recently enhanced powers, GB does not have sufficient leverage with the federal and provincial governments in Pakistan to negotiate a better deal. Political development through electoral process alone will not be sufficient to promote good governance. Therefore, focusing on education as a strategy for political, economic and cultural autonomy and transformation will be a winner.
Improving Governance through Education
Pakistani society has become a victim of poor governance which is manifesting in infinite number of problems. These problems are well known and include unemployment, inflation, corruption, tribalism, sectarianism, and political instability. If we have a hard look at them, the root cause of all these problems is lack of education. Lack of an effective educational system has been a major cause of the failure of the state. Education can have many positive effects on the politics of the country, and GB stands a good chance to make it happen.
The following steps can help in creating an egalitarian political system in GB.
Fiscal and policy autonomy for education
GB is linked to an outdated and unimaginative public education system in the mainland Pakistan, which erodes rather than enhances human capability. The decline in educational provision and quality has hurt lower strata of the Pakistani society the most, and the results have been particularly disastrous for the marginalized provinces, poor and rural people. Despite being meted with severe marginalization, GB has remained educationally progressive. The service gap would be abysmally wide if it was not filled by other providers, such as AKES, PDCN, Army run public schools, private schools, community schools and religious madaris. GB has avoided the worst effects of decline in human capital in Pakistan, such as those being felt in Balochistan, FATA, Southern Punjab and interior Sind.
Education system in GB is not immune to fallout from the national mess. Corruption, political influence, incompetency and paucity of resources are endemic problems. But there are also bright spots. For instance, GB society has become increasingly pro-education, and even in more socially conservative groups, children’s education is now broadly accepted. The trend of female education in GB is increasing at a faster pace than for men. Moreover, exposure to global good policies and practices in community and educational development through AKDN, and particularly social mobilization and capacity support on the ground, has contributed to creating awareness and demand for education. Therefore, GB has already traveled a good distance to start the next part of its journey.
Fiscal and policy autonomy is needed to free GB’s educational policy from unnecessary funding constraints and political hurdles. This is necessary if the people of GB want to make education and human development as their utmost priority and political ideology. GB can then follow on the footsteps of Singapore.
Fiscal autonomy can be ensured through a political consensus that puts human development at the very top of GB’s priorities. This collective will can then be translated into public policy by electing only those politicians who agree to a 20% allocation for education in the annual budget of GB government. The public must also be ready to pay a local tax, exclusively for education. Commitment to educational development must be backed by financial resources, and a 20% guaranteed share in the annual budget will provide the requisite fiscal autonomy to finance necessary reforms and up gradations in GB’s educational system.
Policy autonomy is the other pillar. The key requirement here is to depoliticize education, and free it from political influence and corruption. To deliver on this commitment, the next GBLA should pass a law, making sale of teachers’ jobs a crime against humanity and gross violation of children’s rights, as well as amounting to treason, with prosecution and punishment under relevant laws.
The government should focus on its legitimate responsibilities, such as defining standards and parameters for education, including balancing the needs for religious and regular education, and regulating institutions and service providers. The products and services and management of education should be left to parents, teachers, researchers and subject specialists.
The solution is to create a policy framework that harmonizes various philosophies and approaches to education in GB, and defines the role of different actors and specialized agencies. In practical terms, a Gilgit-Baltistan Education Authority (GBEA) can be created with a mandate for independent research, draft legislation, and investment decisions in education (including technical education) and for engaging with the wider society, including clergy and civil society in an educational dialogue, resolving differences in outlook and finding common goals. The GBEA should consist of sector experts and policy makers, education economists and ICT specialists, and community leaders, and it should be fully autonomous and empowered.
Cultural autonomy
Cultural autonomy is a must for all religious denominations, and tribal, ethnic and linguistic groups who live in GB. It means complete individual and group freedom for all communities to follow their beliefs and way of life, without any perception of insecurity. The answer is participatory democracy and it implies a highly devolved local government system. This is where the example of Switzerland becomes relevant, where mountain tribes have evolved and transformed into a federation of democratic communities, while maintaining their cultural autonomy.
Economic autonomy
GB has no revenues of its own and is entirely dependent on the federation of constituent units of Pakistan, of which it is not a legal part. Islamabad is getting poorer, and it is asking GB to pay taxes to cater for its own needs, but without constitutional protection. The so-called disputed status has given India an effective veto on investment projects of multilateral agencies, such as the World Bank and ADB. Donor agencies think that Aga Khan is taking care of the development needs of GB, therefore, they should pay attention to urgent priorities in other parts of Pakistan, such as KPK and western border regions. Aga Khan thinks that government is primarily responsible for the development of its citizens and that he cannot subsidize public services forever. This is a candid assessment, it is true and it is also right. GB should be economically independent and its development should come from within and should be driven by smart policy.
GB has enormous resource potential. It has potential to generate 40,000 KW of low-cost hydropower, it has rich industrial minerals, its mountain ecology is a heaven for tourists and its proximity to China gives it a unique geo-economic advantage. The smart and wise way is to develop the most important of all these resources, and that is human capital. Only then GB can benefit from its wealth of material resources. Without education, these resources will either remain unutilized or utilized for the benefit of others.
Economic autonomy can come from smart and corruption-free policies for attracting investment to develop GB’s resources from minerals to hydropower and tourism and transit. In this regard, Hong Kong can be a model for GB to follow. Hong Kong is a special administrative area under the overall sovereignty of China. It enjoys a good degree of political autonomy from China, but more importantly, it is allowed to practice its free market economy, under Deng Xio Ping’s One China two Systems policy. The success of Hong King’s economic model is helped in no small measure by its proximity to China. GB has a similar geographic advantage, and can also aspire to build an economic model that is open, cross-border, and market based, but also ensures local ownership.
The bottom-line is that GB has all the necessary ingredients and can realistically build an egalitarian political model in the form of an enlightened local government system, adapting elements from Singapore, Switzerland and Hong Kong. It is possible! Elect only those people who are committed to the above agenda!
Izhar sab, as a well known social scientist and professional you have well elaborated about the GB government system. You have also presented the world recognized governance models as well. All this shows your devotion and commitment with GB soil. We appreciate your efforts and in puts in sensitizing the leadership and management and we expect with our other GBIANS social experts to put their in put in strengthening the GB governance system.
We were too much optimistic that through our self governance system the GB will make record progress, but unfortunately it could not be do so. The following elements damaged and defamed the self Governance adversely and caused the deterioration of GBIANS.
1. Disappearance of Islamic and universal values.( Honesty, equality, truthfulness, justice ,integrity, Personal character and peace)
2. Lack of governance. ( lack of accountability , and lack of respect of rule of law)
3. Disappearance of good governance( accountability, transparent , rule of law, equality, justice, equity and responsiveness)
4. Violation of Basic human rights.( Water, food, health, education etc)
5. Dishonest and corrupt elements
The system of self governance was spoiled by corrupt elements that engulfed the whole region and become the cause of disintegration and frustration in GB.
It is not a crime that some of our leaders or officers are not professional or competent. But their major crime is that as a middle man or as an agent they deteriorated the system through selling jobs that is not forgivable in any society.
Infrastructure and resources (Human & material) is in place in all systems but these are not properly utilized. Resources are wastages not having proper mechanism of follow up system.
Our GB top management has started to take steps for system improvement but it will take time to change the office culture or routines. Need to accelerate and expand this activity at greater and larger level by involving department heads.
We wasted the four years of self governance in frustration, disintegration and blaming one another that will be a part of GB history.
Still we are not too late, the leadership and management should be on same page in the progress of GB through involving expert professionals from all segments of GB society.
We are proud that by virtue of Allah our GBIANS professionals are contributing at international level but their expertise is not utilized at GB level.
Road map for intellectuals to craft a long term basis policies to curp the isolation of GB people, but i am really sorry to say that the in-competency and corrupt system of the politics cant able to design such and weikeed policies.
I like the Way Izhar shb has started now Addressing Real issues, its now Responsibility of youth and Civil of Gilgit.Baltistan to Consider Valid Points and Play there Active Role in Making New GB.
I have shared this Concept Already with PT. Here is again to think over main issue of Model.
National Consensus on “People’s Governance Model Of Gilgit.Baltistan”
In my last four years of interaction with youth, social Workers, political party leaders, and the public, I have found amazing confusion in Gilgit-Baltistan, especially on issues related to understanding of the fundamental and constitutional rights.
Its seems that this grand confusion is an outcome of an organized drive for keeping us divided, and to defuse any serious drive towards change with regards to fundamental rights. I base this conclusion on the following grounds.
We are confused; because, we have never tried to understand why we, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, were kept isolated and made a part of the Kashmir dispute.
Why, despite of keeping us as a part of Kashmir, we were not given full rights or status like AJK in Pakistan?
What role Kashmiri leaders and so many Kashmiri funded, foreign funded, organizations played to merely talk on the constitutional question of GB?
Local, national and international lobbies, organizations, rights bodies and civil society voices were never raised for the rights of Gilgit-Baltistan, while at the same time these Kashmiri groups in Europe and International Forums held full presence and space.
It seems that since our case in totally mixed up here, revolutionary steps cannot works in Gilgit-Baltistan, s a result of an organized division, because of which we are not on the same page. On faith basis we have divided our demand. We want either provincial status with inclusion of Kohistan and Chitral or merger with AJK, Independent State or a Fifth Province, depending on our sectarian interests and orientations, without or without understanding of the demand’s background dynamics. Because of this plethora of demands, read divisions, our strategies for gaining rights are not working.
Every Group is advocating and getting connections with pro and anti-groups in the world and within Pakistan, to either make or get through constitutional drive or rights movements.
In present scenario, when the demand for fifth province is gaining grounds, one can easily observe and analyze the the moves and drives of different groups, for or against the demand. These moves, unfortunately, are not based on understanding of the issue, but on other grounds, discussed earlier, which makes the demand hollow and devoid of meaning, or impact.
The division in our society has mixed up many things, which includes transformation of self-governing rules and procedures with desired and demand of people in GB. Now, our Assembly has passed a Resolution with majority of the members supporting the demand of complete provincial statues for Gilgit-Baltistan.
The “Self Governance Order 2009″ has added further confusions to the governance mechanism, with GBLA and GB Council competing for power and authority, each having its own “list of legislative powers”.
At the same time, although we are paying huge indirect taxes and remitting billions of rupees to the Federal exchequer, we are not gaining much in return. Despite of having CNIC and passport, we are unable to cast our votes in Pakistan, but mega projects have been started in our land, without giving us due representation in the Council of Common Interests and the National Finance Commission, to ensure equitable distribution of resources.
In this state of confusion, we have to build a road map based on a rational consensus, derived from the people’s governance model Of Gilgit – Baltistan. In this context, two options come to the mind, one being the Provisional Provincial Setup, as proposed by Justice Gillani (Retired Chief Judge Supreme Court of AJK in PILDAT) or AKJ type of setup, which will still leave a lot of questions unanswered, related to formal representation in federal institutions. There are indications that the GB government is working on “Provisional Provincial Setup”, as proposed by former PM, Mr. Gilani.
Announcement and promises aside, Gilgit-Baltistan’s youth is demanding a clear route, with defined outcomes, but in this state of confusion and chaos, there is little hope for attaining the same. Meanwhile, we can wish for slow and steady progress towards realization of the common dream and desired goals.
This is one of the Comment I would like to share here:
بہت خوب رئیس کامل۔۔۔آپ ایک اچھی سوچ کو لیکر آگے بڑھ رہے ہو ۔۔ہمیں کب عقل آئیگی میں کچھ کہنے سے قاصر ہوں ۔۔۔۔اور ہماری یہ جان کنی والی کیفیت کب تک برقرار رہیگی یہ بھی مجھے معلوم نہیں ۔۔۔۔قومی یکجہتی کا تو مجھے دور دور تک نشان نظر نہیں آرہا ہے ۔۔۔۔گلگت بلتستان کسی کا فوکس نہیں ۔۔سب کے اپنے عزاءم ہیں ۔۔مذہبی، سیاسی، ذات پات اور نہ جانے اور کتنے۔۔۔۔۔ہر آدمی یہاں دوسرے کو شک کی نگاہ سے دیکھتا ہے ۔۔اور ایسے میں جب کوئی سچا آدمی کوئی اچھی بات بھی کہہ دیتا ہے تو اس پر کیڑے نکالے جاتے ہیں ۔۔ جب تک گلگت بلتستان کے عوام پاکستان کی سیاسی پارٹیوں کو رد کرکے صرف اور صرف گلگت بلتستان کی دھرتی سے محبت کرنا نہیں سکھینگے اور اس کی شناخت کا مطالبہ بڑے شد و مد سے نہیں کرینگے اس وقت تک یہی لوگ ہمیں اسی طرح مظطرب اور آپس میں چپقلشیں پیدا کر کے اپنا مطلب پورا کرتے رہئینگے اور ہر سیاسی پارٹی اپنے من پسند اور بکائو مال کو نوازتے رہئینگے اور عوام بے چاری کل بھی مجبور و بے کس تھی اور آج بھی مظلوم اور بے سہارا ہے ۔۔۔کل ہم برطانوی سامراج کے غلام تھے اور آج ہم ایک تیسری مخلوق۔۔۔۔ہم سے تو تیسری مخلوق بھی اب اچھی ہوگئی ے انہیں بھی پاکستان کی اسمبلی میں نمائیندگی ملی ہے اور ان کو ووٹ کا حق بھی دیا گیا ہے ۔۔۔۔اب موخنث ،،،کا لفظ گلگت بلتستان کے لئے استعمال کیا جائے تو بہتر رہیگا ۔۔۔مجھے تو یہ بھی یقین ہے کہ کل پاکستان کی اسمبلی میں کوئی موخنث ممبر منتخب ہو کے آیا یا آئی تو اسے گلگت بلتستان کونسل کا چیئرمین بنایا جا سکتا ہے ۔۔
Attended “Haftaee-Yakjehti-e-Haqoq Gilgit.Baltistan” Seminar Arranged by Jamat-e-Islami Azad Kashmir. I realized that “Consensus needed for Governance Model of Gilgit.Baltistan” Indeed. Felt High level of Frustration from Local Leaders of Gilgit.Baltistan, from GB Only Diamer Jirgah People were there i.e Inayat-ul-Shumali, Malik Miskeen (Ex-Speaker) and Haji Ammer (Ex-Member Legislative Assembly). Today, Malik Miskeem Shb Showed High Level of Bizarre Attitude and Proved Level of Frustration that has been Created by “GB. Self Governance Order 2009” in them, which is created may be by neglecting there Point of view while Issuing or Framing this “SGM-2009”. While Inayat-ul-Shumali Shb Presented a document in Public that in March 11-2001 they had Gilgit.Baltistan National Alliance, of Fourteen Religious and Political Parties for Basic and Fundamental Rights. Where All Major Parties Including PPP Qurban Ali (GS Gilgit.Baltistan) , PML (N) Bashir Ahmed, Moulana Atta-ul-Allh Shuab (Amir JUI), Nawaz Khan Naji (B.N.F), Inayat-ul-Shumali (G.Q.M) and Chairman GB National Alliance Agreed on Following Points, and they have Signatures in that Documents.
1. Northern Areas is Part of Disputed State of Jammu and Kashmir. The Status of the Area cannot be altered in view of UN resolution and till the Final disposition of Kashmir dispute. In view of this Glazing reality the people of Northern Areas must be represented through its authentic representative in National and International Fora. It should not be underscored that the people of this area should be part of all Such mechanism, which may in invoked from Time to time resolution of Kashmir dispute. In order to do away with our sense of Deprivation we must also be represented in A.J.K Council on the basis of Equity and Equality.
2. Our Alliance is of the opinion that we must also be Provided with an A.J.K Governement type of Governing structure. The present Legislative council does not fulfill our requirement. The A.J.K type of structure will continued till a Final disposition of Kashmir Dispute.
Following Important Points I noted there:
1. On March 8-1993 Azad Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Mr. Abdul Majeed Malik’s Bench on Application of Mr.Malik Miskeen, Mr. Muhammad Bashir and Mr. Ameer Jan has already Declared Gilgit.Baltistan as Part of Jammu & Kashmir and Order to Bring Under Act 1947, so that Government of Azad & Jammu and Kashmir can do All Necessary Home work for Constitutional and Administrative arrangements in this regard, Which was taken back from Federation at that Time.
2. Role of Bureaucratic Setup and NGOs Like A.K.D.N in that Area is one of the Big Hindrance for this Amalgamation of GB & Kashmir Matters ( Which is already mentioned in Manshoorat by Abdul Rasheed Turabi’s Analysis on Constitutional Pakage of Gilgit.Baltistan, For which we said we can Cleared many Points here on behalf of GB People but We are lacking Consensus in Our Home, We will Try to Build that first in home than Inshallah all concerns will be Address from Our United Forum)
3. Mr. Malik Miskeen Shb gave them Surety that 50% People of GB are not Against Kashmir, and asked about Full Support and Real Corporation from Kashmiry Leadership regarding Governance Model as per his Application he has Submitted in March -08-1993, Otherwise such seminars are of No Use. Plus he rejected Gilgit.Baltistan Package which was ordered without taking all the parties on Board. This Package has created misunderstanding’s in People of Gilgit.Baltistan, while there is clear Division on basis of Ethnic and Regional affiliation (Favors on Basis of Regional and Religion is Openly Followed every Office in GB). Moreover, External Agencies are working there to heat-up this Gap of Misunderstanding that exist there in GB ( This Point is also High Lighted by Sardar Muhammad Anwar Jan Ex-President Ajad Jammu-e-Kashmir)
4. Ex- High Court Chief Mr. Abdul Majeed Malik’s said Great Game Players are changed now, there are some news Parties and Interest’s that has been Emerged in GB and “New Slik Route” is Planned for this. People of Gilgit.Baltistan were having some Basic Fundamental Rights at time of Getting Independence, While after Freedom they are deprived of all that Rights. Ministry of Kashmir Affairs is Power full Organization than all Constitutional Bodies or Assembly. He tried to present his views on Differences that exist between Act and Constitution. (Shared his Jammu and Kashmir Constitution Proposed by Jammu & Kashmir Liberation League) I will Shared that with all Members soon. ( Some Claims are mentioned in that, Like Treaty of Amratsar between “Maharaja” and “British Crown”, and ” Jammu Kashmir State, as it existed on 15-08-194, at the time of enforcement of Indian Independence Act, 1947 whereby India and Pakistan Emerged as Independent States, Princely State. Including Jammu and Kashmir also Attained Independent Status on Account of lapse of Suzerainty of British Crown. Maharaja, the last Ruler of the Stat, was conferred Authority to rule the State by virtue of Treaty of Amratsar.) While in Book of GilGit ka Inqalab 1947 By Professor Usman Ali, he has mentioned Reasons.
I will Share his Proposed Constitution for Fact findings and Debates.
A good Day to Understand History and Current State and Demand of People From GB, But I have seen No other Participation in terms of Area and Political parties from Gilgit.Baltistan’s other than One Side.
After Attending this Seminar “Consensus indeed Needed for Governance Model of Gilgit.Baltistan” With in People of GB first then we will start Networking and discussion with others.
Indeed we are Confused and Divided !
شہریوں کی ذمہ داریاں
تحریر: محمدجان رحمت جان
حقوق و فرائض کا چولی دامن ساتھ ہے۔ جہاں ہم حقوق کی بات کرتے ہیں وہاں فرائض بھی شامل ہوجاتے ہیں۔ شہری علوم میں شہریوں کے ذمہ داریاں بے شمار ہیں۔ ہمارے مُلک میں حق کی بات ہر کوئی کرتا پھرتا ہے لیکن فرائض سے ہم سب رو گردانی کرتے ہیں۔ اس پس منظر میں ترقی کا خواب ادھورا ہی رہ جاتی ہے۔ ادیان عالم کی تعلیمات میں حقوق و فرائض کو عبادت کا درجہ حاصل ہے۔ اِس زمانے میں جس مُلک کے شہری اپنے فرائض صحیح ادا کرتے ہیں وہی اُن کو اُن کے حقوق بھی اُسی طرح مل جاتے ہیں۔ تاریخی اور فلسفہ کے علوم یا ماہرین عمرانیات سے ہٹ کر کوئی عام آدمی بھی اگر ایک منٹ کیلئے سوچے تو یہ بات عیاں ہوجائے گی کہ فرض نبھائے بغیر حق کا مطالبہ کرنا صحیح نہیں۔
ہم اپنے علاقے میں لنک روڈ کی بات کریں یا عوامی شہراہ کی حکومت وقت اُن کی تعمیر کر چکی ہے لیکن شہریوں کی غفلت اور بے حسی کے باعث جگہ جگہ پانی اور توڑ پھوڑ کا شکار ہے۔ گلگت بلتستان میں ایک تو جغرافیائی حالات اورموسم کی وجہ سے یہ تعمیرات ٹوٹ پھوٹ جاتی ہے دوسری طرف شہری غفلت کا بھی بڑا ہاتھ ہے۔ سکول‘ ہسپتال‘ سماجی اداروں کے دفاتر اورکھیل کھود کے میدان بڑے بڑے رقوم سے بنتے ہیں لیکن قدرتی آفات کے ساتھ ساتھ زیادہ تر شہریوں کی غفلت کے باعث وقت سے پہلے ہی خراب ہوجاتے ہیں۔ عوامی دیواریں‘ جنگل اور سیر سپاٹے کی جگہیں بھی عوام ہی برباد کردیتے ہیں۔ بے جا چوریاں‘ توڑ پھوڑ علاقے کی تعمیر و ترقی میں سب سے بڑی رکاوٹ ہے۔ سٹرک کے کنارے دیواریں سماجی اور نجی اداروں کے چاکنگ سے بہت متاثر ہیں۔ خواہ مخواہ کی چاکنگ اور نفرت آمیز جملے نہ صرف بُرے لگتے ہیں بلکہ سیاحوں کے لئے خوف و حراس کا باعث بھی بنتے ہیں۔
ترقی یافتہ قومیں اپنے بڑوں اور بزرگوں کی اقوال اپنے سینوں میں محفوظ رکھتے ہیں ہم اُن کو دیواروں کی زینت بناتے ہیں۔ ہم اُن کی پرچار کے نام سے اُن کی تذلیل کرتے ہیں ترقی یافتہ قومیں اُن کو عملی شکل دیتے ہیں۔ مثلاََ یورپ کی سڑکوں اور چوراہوں پر آویزاں اُن کے بزرگوں کے خاکے خوبصورتی کے ساتھ ساتھ اُن کی خدمات کی یاد دلاتے ہیں جو اُنہوں نے تاریخ میں کردار ادا کیا ہے۔لیکن ہمارا حال قدرے مختلف ہے۔ہم عقائد میں پکے ہیں وہ اعمال میں‘ ہم جذبات کے مضبوط ہیں وہ کردار کے‘ یہی فرق اُن کی مادی ترقی کا سبب بنی ہے۔ یورپ کے ترقی یافتہ ملک تاریخ سے سبق سیکھ چکے ہیں۔ ہوسکتا ہے کہ وہاں بھی کچھ مسائل ہو لیکن ہمارے نسبت وہاں مادی ترقی بہت زیادہ ہیں۔ ہمارے جتنے بھی اہم شخصیات بنے ہیں وہ یورپ سے ہی پڑھے لکھے ہیں اور یہ سفر آج بھی جاری ہے۔ ہمارے شہری تعلیمات اُن سے مضبوط ہے لیکن عمل نہ ہونے کی وجہ سے وہاں جاکے سیکھتے ہیں۔ تعلیم‘ صحت‘ ثقافت‘ زبان‘ رہن سہن‘ تعمیرات‘ جمالیات اور تہذیب کے دیگر شعبے ہماری ایک نسل نے تخلیق کی اور اُس کے بعد ہم اُن کے گیت گاتے رہے اور یورپ اُن کی راہ پر گامزن ہوئی اور آج آسمان کی وسعتوں کو پہنچ گئے۔ صفائی‘ عوامی مقامات کی حفاطت اور دیگر عوامی سطح کے چیزیں عوام ہی کے فرائض میں آتے ہیں۔ ڈاکٹر پرشاد کہتے ہیں کہ’’یہ خیال کرنا بے معنی ہے کہ آیا حقوق فرائض سے پہلے آتے ہیں یا فرائض حقوق سے پہلے‘ یہ دونوں ایک دوسرے کے تکمیلی جُزو ہیں۔ اگر ہر شخص محض اپنے حق پر اصرار کرے مگر دوسروں کے حقوق یعنی اپنے فرائض کو نظر انداز کردے تو جلد ہی یہ حالت ہوجائے گی کہ کسی کیلئے کوئی حقوق نہیں ہونگے‘‘۔ یہی وجہ ہے کہ رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہٖ وسلم نے فرمایاکہ’’دوسروں سے وہی سلوک کرو جس کی تم دوسروں سے خود اپنے لئے توقع کرتے ہو‘‘۔
اقوام متحدہ کے اختیار کردہ انسانی حقوق کا تعین کیاجاچکا ہے اوراسلامی ممالک کی تنظیم بھی اپنا موقف پیش کرچکی ہیں۔ ایشائی‘ افریقی‘ یوروپی‘ امریکی‘ فرانسیسی‘ چینی اوردیگر مذہبی و سماجی تنظیموں نے بھی انسانی حقوق کے منشور پیش کی ہے اور کررہے ہیں۔ موجودہ حالات میں انسانی حقوق کی پرچار عالمی سطح سے گھروں تک جا پہنچی ہے۔ انسانی حقوق پر اس قدر زور دیاجاچکا ہے کہ اب ہر آدمی ہر بات پہ اپنی حقوق کی بات کرتاہے۔ شہریوں اور انسانی حقوق کی اس قدر پذیدائی کے بعد اب فرائض کی طرف زور دیناچاہئے تاکہ دنیا میں ہر انسان کو جہاں حق حاصل ہو وہاں فرض کی ادائیگی میں بھی کوئی کسر باقی نہ رکھے۔ بحیثیت شہری فطری‘ سماجی‘ قانونی‘ بنیادی‘شہری اور سیاسی حقوق ہوتے ہیں۔ حقوق کو مذیذ اقسام ہیں لیکن آخرکار اُن کا حصول اُس صورت میں ممکن ہے جب ہم اپنے فرائض کی ادائیگی کرینگے ہر مسئلے کا حل ممکن ہے۔
’’عمل سے زندگی بنتی ہے جنت بھی جہنم بھی‘یہ خاکی اپنی فطرت میں نہ نوری ہے نہ ناری‘‘۔
Good exchange of views, healthy development.
I appreciate and salute this vital ideological approach of Mr. Ezhar Ali Hunzai and Mr. Ashabullah Baig, It would be a role module if accepted, adopted and strived to implement in empirical ways for the large interests of the GB, but the need of the hours is to find the answers for the following imperative questions.
1) That how to make it a feed for thought of the present and emerging political spectrum of GB? while majority of them are still not at par with, to understand such new and enlightened ideology and political management approach for the area.?
2) This important ideology could pave it’s way out in the society through creating and generating it’s driving forces in the civil society institutions, political, social activists and welding them into a strong practical working and driving forces to do this job. How it would be possible?
3) Since it is a new ideology in ti’s nature in the area, never used in the past nor is possible at the immediate present, it would be workable only to forge the talented, educated and loyalists from each districts of the Gilgit -Baltistan Province, need to educate them motivate and energize them and show them the go ahead signal, How and when?.
4) How to develop a comprehensive structural Planning for the described module prior to launch the campaign in the area?
5) Would it not be a prototype as had been the experience of AKRSP, the impact reflect itself at national level is the NRSP and all provincial RSPS, it would be results oriented if start right from HUNZA-NAGAR district’s Management level to present a symbolic model and prove a bacon of light for all other provinces.?
http://hisamullahbeg.blogspot.com/2011/09/alternate-forum-for-political-action.html
My advocacy on the subject can be viewed on the link.