Opinion: Politics in a new age
by Hoor Shah
Like everywhere else our young generation is restless, enthusiastic and progressive. These are good and healthy sings because the heat generated from the intense creative engagement is good. However there are some elements of despondency, resignation and an increasing tendency towards looking at the glass half-empty. This problem stems form the idea that the people talk about a severe leadership crisis in Hunza and even suggest that political leadership should be outsourced to outsiders possibly to people form Nagar our next door valley. I think this is appalling, and we seriously need to examine and diagnose the sources of, what I would call, creeping political apathy and loss of trust in the leadership of our society. In what follows we would try to investigate those problems, while drawing on our personal experiences and suggest ways forward for our new leadership.
Some three decades ago I had travelled to Germany in search of greener pastures, and also to quench the desire to see a highly developed country. Before I went there I had romantic images of Europe in which peace, justice, equality, freedom and a vision of a comfortable life coloured the images of my dream. I did find many of the things that I was longing for. Germany was a beautiful land full of hard-working, honest, creative and intelligent people. Every body was specialised in a certain field or economic activity. All of them did their work in such a professional and dedicated manner that the fruits of their toil seemed to be far bigger than all the individuals put together.
From a historical point of view it was also really amazing to see the rapid recovery form the destruction and ravage that Germany had experienced during World War-II. The catastrophic damage to German industrial base, infrastructure and a big damage to morale of its public combined with erosion of international standing of Germany as a responsible power was a severe blow to opportunities of recovery and renewal. But, today we see Germany as one of the most successful economies in Europe, stable, responsible, creative and peaceful. I often wonder and reflect as to the origins of this phenomenal renewal in German society. I often wish to compare inherent strengths of German society with that of our own in Hunza, and see if there are any similarities at all.
And I believe that there are many elements which are really common among us in Hunza and the people in Germany and other European countries. These commonalities range from a sense of individual liberty, to hard work, trust, and an ethic of voluntarism and humanism. Obviously there are many differences in term of geographical and climatic conditions, traditions of religious, political and religious experiences yet I somehow felt a proximity to the values found in the West. It must be pointed out that I am in no way a fan of what has transpired during the 19th and 20th centuries of European relationship of colonisation in Africa and Asia but I am certainly interested in the internal dynamics of these Western societies.
German society is considered to be one of those societies with higher levels of trust among its people. This view has been put forward by well known scholars as well those who have taken keen interest in comparative social analysis (Francis Fukuymam’s Trust and the Creation of Social Virtue is suggested for further consultation). In high trust societies politicians trust their people and their people trust their leaders. There is a seldom breach of that trust. But the idea of trust among people stems from mutual respect, between employees and a businessman, between a government official and a private individual, between a taxi driver and a passenger, between a hotel staff and tourists, all these relationships are founded on reciprocal sense of respect and honour. Now it has part of our tradition in Hunza to respect elders, celebrate the intellect, and trust our fellow members of the community.
Now let us turn to the contemporary malaise in the political leadership of our society. While the reasons of so-called leadership crises are numerous, but I think it has also been caused by a breach of trust among the people when it comes to political leadership. Who has done the most damage during the last couple of decades. Obliviously the one who has been at the helm of affairs, but why we supported him so blindly, encouraged him so uncritically, only to find nothing at the end of a long and arduous journey. One of the key arguments put forward in favour of Ghuzamfar is the idea that he enjoys huge influences in the corridors of power in Islamabad. Ghazumfar’s so called personal relationships with a range of bureaucrats, senior army officers and a host of businessmen was seen as an unrivalled strength. Everybody, young and old, hoped and thought that he would use his contacts to create jobs for people, bring development projects to Hunza, highlight corruption and inefficiency in the government departments and above all he would represent the people of Hunza in a dignified manner. All of these hopes have been trashed so many times that those of us who supported him at an earlier stage are now completely disillusioned. Guzamfar repeatedly stood against the very virtues that the people of Hunza had honestly believed for more than two decades now.
Consider recent expulsion of Ghuzamfar form PML (Q) membership. This event can only be interpreted as a big disgrace not only to his supporters but a big personal insult for the man himself. Where are his contacts that neither work for the people or at this stage even for himself. The biggest yet unnoticed ‘lota, in our society has been exposed once more: the Q-League expulsion is nothing but a reconfirmation of perverted character of Mir’s politics. I think it is fair to say that Mir has few values, no ideology, no vision, no real political ambition, no programme of action, and no any credibility to be trusted.
The time has now come to ditch politician for the good of our society and allowing alternative leadership to emerge from within our society. The message must be conveyed loud and clear to everybody who has a stake in seeing our political future to be built on sound foundations of trust, brotherhood, and honesty that have also been hall marks of our tradition. Indeed without a strong, sincere and faithful leadership we, the people of Hunza, will not be able to free ourselves form the traps of poverty, and unemployment, and many other challenges that we are facing today in an increasingly competitive and tough environment.
While trust is a virtue which is really in short supply at the moment in the political circles of Hunza but there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
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The contributor is President of PML (N), Hunza – Nagar.
Dear PT readers,
I appreciate the logical and yawning analysis of politics and its relevance to sustainable development in Hunza likewise in Europe. Hoorshah Sahib’s comparative analysis of certain values of Hunza and Germany seems also relevant. However, what Germen’s learnt from Hitler’s rigid regime followed by destructions of World War II is something very different than what we are experiencing at the political leadership end in Hunza. Germens stood back and managed to become a nation of influence in the world and reached the goal of unity and trust – fall of Berlin Wall is a flamboyant example
What we are experiencing is quite unfortunate and to some extent baseless – political process is not an activity of 2-3 months a short time before, during and after election times. We can hear and see heated speeches, blames, and favored slogans and caravans of cars crawling from one village to another and making our own people fool. In a matter of few days after the election results, all those supporters who make speeches in favor of candidates remain silent or go back into hibernation for a period of five years – and suddenly they wakeup close to October and making bargaining and forward blocks – at the end we remain in this cycle which has a history of more than two decades in Hunza.
What is politics and what is the political process? This needs to be understood first. The manifestos of leaders, regardless of their affiliation with National Parties, are nothing but some false promises, list of some blurred projects, commitments of employment etc. As in this opinion the need of vision is dominantly mentioned, hence, where is the political vision of our leaders? Most of the developed democracies are built upon a clear vision. Vision or way forward is not in the hands of one leader who win the elections rather s/he is a spokesmen of a thought through vision. The evolution of political vision is a process where several think-tanks work hard to formulate a vision and its framework of implementation. The elected leader’s job is implementation of that vision and actualization of the vision within its very spirit without compromising over it’s peripherals.
Let’s look at how political process takes place in Hunza. I am not going to repeat what is been illustrated by respected Hoor Shah. Nevertheless, I would say the tested leaders are not emerged from a political process. They are either elites in one way or the other, and or they have fame flag with them. To remain short on my comments I’d suggest the following in order to bring about first a political process in place and then choose an implementer in the form of elected political leader.
1. Establishment of thematic think-tanks, such as education, natural resources management, health, economy, and security etc.
2. These thematic think-tanks should formulate a political vision around the themes or political strategy
3. Devising accountability and transparency mechanisms – the elected leader should be accountable to the think-tanks and the voters
It would be nice to read/hear constructive debates on this subject …
Best
Jalal
Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Very interesting when I open my friends lab top and went through this sort of artical. I tried my best to convence myself for our historical linkages with Germany. Germany remain faciest throug out or even most of her history,communism prevails and flurished and so called capitalist also make thier ground of conspersy onsoil of Germany. World experience thier brutal face during world war I -II and what Germans and other Europeans did with thier general masses. In short thier is nothing such acuired political, economical, social, cultural and moral resemblence. Shah sahib must traveled through the centarl asain states and it needs to review the historical linkages wich is the actual road map for our real identity. We must keep over selves away from values(social,financial and moral) of the western influance.
I find this artical an intlectual terror attpmt towad political sympathy. One who stand at the enterence (gate) of
Mir’s influancefor through out his life, not as gardian but as guard, can how blam Him for his certain action and attude.
I really feel a vacume in our political and religious affair in NA’s or even in Hunza. The youth of Hunza really desired for thier new young political leadership I think they will reject all level of fatal approches which deemed to under mind some one for thier political distination. I must say that Mir has alway used his personal approuch for the development not even for Hunza but for Gilgit-Baldistan. But he has to prove himself a politician and leader and also remain with whome who provide him mandate.
The people of Hunza will never test thier bullet, rather they will go for trouphy hunting ……………!
Pir shah Sahip,
Very nice ordeal of feudal politics at the end of your narrative. The first part was what, i just don’t understand the link with Germany! I thought you will write on our historical links with Macedonia and how we resemble!!!
Please also explain, when you agreed to change the name of ‘ Mir Ghazanfer Ali Khan ( or as in the good old days he was referred as Mir Shah Ghazanfer) to Ghuzamfar??
An African saying goes:
‘When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers’. This was used by NAM leaders during the cold war, meaning the cold war between the US and USSR was not hurting them, but the third world countries.
This was slightly rephrased after the cold war:
‘When two elephants make merry, it is again the grass that suffers’
So, for those who fight Pakistani style feudal politics in GB or Hunza, in the name of xyz, we, at the grassroots, are very clear:
Whether you are humrakab, humpiyla or dast u gareban, it is the people who continue to suffer.
i totally agree with what Mr. Jalal and Mr.Amin have mentioned and about Mr.Hoor Shah(Seasonal Politician) …a person who very proudly affiliats himself with the ideologies of PML-N, means the ideologies of Nawaz Sharif(amir-ul Momineen), Shehbaz Sharif etc…….i think Mr. Hoor Shah wants us to idealize the politics of these oppurtunity and vendeta…com’on men you have misunderstood the people of GB….though we have been depoliticised intentionally or unintetionally but we are unlike the people from the rest of the country.. we are quite aware of things going onand we know much better the politics of pakistan.
Open frequency
Hoor Shah Sahip
I wonder who has been misguiding you at this stage of your advanced age, I guess your highly educated sons who have recently taken inspiration from Europe and trying to establish similarties with European states and that is why JUI may not be wrong in their assessment of new state in GB.
You have drawn your political ananlysis closer to Germnay with respect to Hunza (I don’t know if Hunza is a separate state/country but a backward tehsil of Gilgit districtl). It is you luxury of analysis that you conveniently foregoing the other dynamic parts that together make GB but slyly ignored Nazis history of Germany.
Respected Hoor Shah Sahip, could you enlighten us about this similarity between Hunza and Grmany in any of your next accounts? I shall be waiting for that.
Please take your time to bring forth Nazi links btween Hunza and Germany that will be deserving comments than wallowing yourself in Utopian comparisions.
Durbeesh
i have to ask all of you a question, are we Pakistani or not? then we can discuss about politics in our area.
welcome back Mr Durbeesh!
i am very much disapounted the way the enriched discussion on the role of AKDN in Northern areas were thown under the carpet by the so called intelligentia but sooner or later time will itself unfold the realties.
i hope that mr Durbeesh will come up with such interesting and enriching discusion and issues in future.
Mr Hoor Shah n their proponants …. we r still waiting for your response.
Dear HOOR Shah Sheeb (Ex -HAMPIYALA AND PRESENT OPOSITION LEADER OF GHAZANFAR ALI KHAN, WHAT A COLOUR CHANGING CHRISMATIC LEADERSHIP)
I, personally agree with the narrations ofJalal, Amin, Darbash Bhai saheeban with highlighting some of the Hitler qualities of Hoor Shah Sb. whom demonstrated very recently at SOOST DRY PORT. The resumbalances he shared is very clear what in the sence of HOOR SHAH IS?
On a very small differences he became against Ghazanfar and started a compain travelled to Islamabad with some very Honoured Personality of Gojal. Nocked on each office door of the Hunzukuts and propagated against Ghazanfar. What remain the conclusions he himself can be share in a better way if he claims himself a leader of Hunza.
The comparison of Hunza with Germany is reflection of his thought and mind, that he recently showed on and during the agitation of Soost Dry Port disute. How he exploited the two language Waki and Brushaski people for the benefits and gains and distorted the decade realtion of the two athenik/ language speaking people in Soost. Due to his tricky game he exploited the women folk of Soost and in History of Hunza this was the first time that the women folks of the area ttock guns and used abuse languages. We all reject such personalities either Hoor Shah or Son of Ghanzanfar Mr. saleem, who dishonour the Social, cultural and religious values of Gilgit-Baltistan & vally of Hunza did’t have respect for the Humanity.
During his short compaion no doubt Mr. Shah Saheb and few of his illitrate ill wishers friends of specially Gojal achieved his bad aim, but remember it is a long way to keep the pace forward. We are observing ur all action and we did’t want to show u the reaction so – open ur mind and thought. Don’t try to be MEER JAFAR.
May be you know the History and if not just ask from your Anncestor about Mr. Muhammad Rahim, Mr. Muhammad ADAAB, Mr. Ghulam Ali Shah and Mr. PUI, whom are these revolationary leaders and from where they belong.
Remember, SDP doesn’t belong to any tribe. It belongs to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and KVO is the major share holder of the Trust it belongs to members of KVO. We all are above race, tribe, alnguages and look on humanity, diversity and we have the candle of pluralisium, we all ask u not to play fou; games with the people of the vally. Don’t cgange the Board with out concent of the members, dont exagerate the facts and don’t try to make fool people. Don’t be a short site leader and never jumps to the conclusion. Open the table of dialoug, invite the professional try to be ur self professional we are aginst non if some one extend his feet beyound the tent we know how to cut the feet.
It is obligation of the new Management Team of SDP to call GB and arrange a fare and impartial election of the members of SDP. We all once again say whoever, HE or SHE betray the norm of our values of the vally of Hunza, We are against him.
We repspect for al the humanity, religions, races tribes if any Khan or Shah or any one used and distorted thses vales for his own benifits we will not allow them. Again We are observing and time is the best teachers for us all.
I strongly disagree with Mr Tojik to what he writes . According to my Personal analysis this person seems to have a petty issue with Mr Hoor Shah.
Here i am nor supporter of MR Shah or Nt against MR Toojik. I want to talk about realities. I was part of Sost Dry port problem since last year, I have seen mr hoorshah struglling to his best to remove the roots of mir and family. HE was the leading supporter to held eradicate evil from the region. I am sure he has not done it for his personal gains but was committed to work for people of sos and Gojal valley. I personally know mr Shah, he has always been talking of basic rights for people of Hunza/ Gojal. So it would be putting filth in the eating plate if we can say something about him. Dont personalise things, look for those who work. Dont do politics of punjab in GB
Learned commentators
I request all of you to avoid personal attacks. I have the right to delete comments/words/phrases that are not ‘parliamentary’, in meaning and spirit.
It is against your personalities, or the the ‘image’ of your personalities.
It is nice to see Mr Rehan Shah at this forum. He worked as the personal assistant/secretary of Ghazanfar Ali Khan, for several years. I request Rehan Shah to further elaborate his phrase in which he accuses the writer of attempting “intellecutal terror”!!
Nur
Looking at the comments by other respected blogger, who mentioned my name in agreement and expressed their views, I have to apologize, If my posting has created any sensation regarding what Pir had contributed!
I know Shah Sahip for the last 15 years or so! He is such a nice person and good social worker and a knowledgeable person.
My reference was not to his person but to the creed of politician in Pakistan and the culture that was imported to GB. That was my assessment and personal opinion, i may be completely wrong.
I can understand he is being hurt in the cross-fire!!
Sorry for that Shah sahip, once again. And all the bloggers, I might have confused you, with my poor communication skills.
First, I thank Pamir Times for posting my opinion on their website. I think that PT blog is a really effective tool to reach out to our younger generation and hence my article.
I have found all the comments on my article very helpful, very interesting and even insightful. While it is really enlightening to read the intelligent review of all the commentators on this website but I would like to respond to each one of them so as to bring more clarity as to what I have written and also to set a stage for further discourse on the important topic of political leadership in Hunza.
Mr. Jalal: Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate your contribution and fully agree with the contention that political process is important when it comes to breeding politicians and consolidating leadership. I also agree with the idea that it is the time now to establish local research institutions that could not only serve as reservoirs of local knowledge and wisdom but also as ‘think tanks’, as you are suggesting. As more and more people in Hunza and elsewhere are being trained in social sciences, these people must now be employed in the service of suggesting practical policies for the development of our region.
Mr. Rehan Shah: Germany and Hunza: Germany has had a fascist history, but why should we focus on the interwar period when Hitler and Nazi ideology dominated the political landscape. The emergence of Nazism in the interwar period can be easily explained when we take into account what transpired after the conclusion of the Treaty of Versailles. The victor powers had imposed humiliating conditional ties on Germany that resulted in massive economic disruption and consequent emergence of a nihilistic ideology. While it is beyond the scope of this comment to shed further light on the emergence of fascism and Nazism in Germany, but all I can say for Mr. Rehan is that why are you forgetting the earlier history of Germany? Why not talk about Kant, Hegel, Marx, Goethe and the whole German idealist movement that created great intellectual upheaval in Europe that paved the way for most of the ideas of enlightenment, ideas that are universally cherished even today. Furthermore, why not talk about post-war Germany and the extraordinary renewal in German society. If fascism was sort of a devil in German soul then such values as trust have worked as processes of exorcism for the evil spirits to fly away from society.
Mr. Rehan Shah, it is deplorable when you say that ‘Germany remained fascist throughout or even most of her history’. This is my beyond my comprehension. Here I must point out that I don’t know as to what you understand by the world fascist’.
Secondly I am not trying to establish any historical or even for that matter cultural linkages with Germany. What I said was nothing but mere reflection and conjecture based on my personal experiences of living and working in Germany for about half a decade. What I want is to simply learn from others, weather they are German, Chinese or Central Asians.
Mr. Amin Beg sahip: I welcome your critique. First I must point out that, I believe that it is through dialectical engagement on the plane of ideas that helps any society move forward. Through expressing my opinions and critical reflection on social issues I have sought to experiment with ideas and I believe that critical counter responses from people like you would help us initiate debates that could in turn inform policy questions, and practical social and economic issues.
I would slightly disagree with what you have to say in terms of ‘people suffering’ form the clash of titans. I am flattered when you say that I am a titan in collusion with another titan. In fact I see myself as a David against the Goliath. I think in this process of the intellectual ‘clash of titans’ the grass will not suffer rather it would be the other way round, the grass would actually grow strong.
Amin sahip: I know I started off with a discussion of an important philosophical notion regarding the value of ‘trust’ in society but ended up disparaging Mr. Ghuzamfar. Well, I would say that we cannot rule out the role of Mir from any discussion of our political past, present and future. He has been at the centre stage of our politics for the last couple of decades and doesn’t seem to sideline himself any time soon. So it becomes indispensable to question, criticise, and evaluate the role of Mir in the evolution of our political leadership.
Mr. Durbeesh: Nobody has misguided me. I am quite clear in my ideas. My son, colleagues and friends all have contributed their bit in helping me shape my ideas, and intellectual outlook. If you are sceptical about my skills and knowledge then I can invite you to have a discussion. I might not be academically outstanding but I am sure that I will certainly engage a person like you on issues of mutual interest.
So far as your contention is concerned i would say that I was not talking about German foreign policy or war strategy, I was talking about German society and its people. I think there is a need to differentiate between analysis of the conduct of nation-states and the processes of internal dynamics. Consider American foreign policy on the one hand and its people on the other. Do you think that American foreign policy reflects its people? I don’t think so. Here we can hope to enter into that debate regarding the constitution of society, as different from its international behaviour. Therefore it seems logical to me to engage in a comparative analysis of any two societies: while I could expand more on that and I hope I will come back once again.
Mr. Toojik: You have pointed out so many issues that I find it really hard to tackle them in one response. I have found your comment quite complicated because it doesn’t appear to be relevant in a discussion of a sort that talks about values, political leadership, and creating processes of social development. You seem to be much more interested in attacking my personality then sincerely discussing an important political question.
Having said this I would strongly disagree with you when you accuse me of inciting womenfolk of Gojal and creating rifts among people of Gojal and Hunza. It has been my life-long commitment to bring harmony in Hunza. I have always applauded the people of Gojal for their handwork, talent, and a strong sense of brotherhood. I worked for various Ismaili institutions and my track record is a testimony of that ideal.
Mr. Ghulam Hassan sahip: I express my gratitude for expressing your solidarity with me. Wherever I have worked I have worked tirelessly, sincerely, and in the interest of the people. Sost Dry Port is the latest episode. My disagreements with Mir and his family originated form the SDP issue. As you know it was my principled stand on SDP that resulted in my permanent break-up with Mir. I was part of the committee that was charged with sorting out the mess that Mir and his son had created in Sost and I repeatedly tried to resolve the issue through mutual agreement but as all of us now clearly know that Mir was not interested to resolve the issue. Five million were siphoned off, and Saleem khan was not willing to give SDP shareholders their legitimate profits. There are always moments in history when people have to take strong decisions and perhaps SDP issue was one of those rare events for me to take the side of light and justice as opposed to darkness and oppression.
Best regards
Hoor Shah
While sifting through each assertion made by Hoor Shah I have strong exception to his inconsistent analysis that lacks intellectual indignity at its very core. From the outset I must emphatically assert that I despise Ghuzanfar more that Mr Hor Shah has done in his article. But my position to arrive at a critique of Ghuzanfar is not an isolated factor as Mr Hoor Shah has disparagingly tried to single out Ghazanfar to consolidate his own position.
Primarily, this is misleading to draw an analogy between German and Hunza’s society as in Wittgenstein’s sense of word, they are the worlds apart. The values systems, the ethical precepts, the nature of social contract, the epistemic features, the historical experiences, the mode of production and last but not the least the religio-cultural experiences all are different. Mr Hor Shah’s extreme subjectivity to appease certain corridors of power is an attempt to create a new monster from the ashes of Ghzanfar with similar characteristics of a spineless but shrewd politician Mr Shah has gone to en extend even to misquote Fukuyama’s essentialist moralizing of capitalism and American hegemony which has wrongly been attributed by Fukuyama to Germany and by Hoor Shah to Hunza.
“Trust based and ownership society” has been a misnomer to conceal the real failures of Western democracies, not because that the democracy is a failed system but rather because the cosmetic democracy being propagated by imperialists has entirely lost its real virtue of engaging people in economic and political decision making. . This is a debatable issue and one can go on and on to explain it but to be precise I should say that you cannot decouple politics from economics. There are multiple Zeitgeists with varied manifestations and lumping together two distantly placed gist of ages would only cultivate intellectual stereotypes and hence promoting ignorance. Mr Hoor Shah seems to be eclectic only when it comes to protect his own political interests while he reduces his analysis to defame a defunct personality and present himself as an inevitable replacement.
In a fit of messianic spirit and an apocalyptical style Mr Shah is reverting back to the pre-modern and irrational theories while on the other hand he incessantly paint a picture of modern and rational Hunza.
Leadership is not a game of some personalities but it requires a long term process, political movement, an intellectual tradition that helps to trespass the mundane thinking as is being reflected in Mr Shah’s article.
Lastly PMN-N is not an ideology based party it is equally driven by personalities. Let us condemn Ghuzanfar , Hoor Shah and likes that would only allow for a progressive politics.
In response to Amina Betti, I would like to say that we are not Pakistanis. Yet Pakistan has not recognized us as PAKISTANI citizens. We play Pakistani style politics well, knowingly or unknowingly.
If I am wrong please correct me.
Thank you.
Sherali
The Netherlands.
Very interesting & responding. First of all thax Noor for his comment and I am covence to use that particular terminology however I apprciate ur effot and policy.
Shah Sahib u are as respectfull as any one else.
Mrs Pamir Times, it is really woderful job and i seem ur initiaive a revolutionary step in the field of media world and I suggust u to be very very nutral in ur field.
Shah sahib may I remind ur memory befor west Phlia aggrement 1646 after the thirty yeas world’s longest ever war in history,Whome they were involved. I reall want to know the theoritical and philosophical entity of auther Fuckyama also the auther of” End Of Histry”and Symal P Hagtington “Clash of Civilization” and like other.
I must view here that Joint Venture has a bit bitter experience in NAs. For God said don’t Politisize this noble couse which is not only the source of incom but also venture to our development of the region. Its a bussiness partner ship, please let the share holders/invester to solve thier issues within themselves. We should keep in our mind that if we allow external elements then the result will be more disastrous then the Pak china briccks Factory and China trade.
We are facing acute problems in diffrent sectors which is still waiting , Shah Sahib I suggest U and other repected politicians to address those issues for their out coming election compaign.
Thanks to technological developments and PT for providing a communication resource .
I observed the word “Change” from previous election in which Mir Ghazanfer was elected for NALC giving a big manadate by saying that he is a right person to elect.But the outcome came tatally against the voters hopes.
I have observed by reading comments/views on different subjects on PT that we have intellectuals who had not only excelled in there academic/professional domain and also posses rich knowledge of political systems/theories.There views shows that sudden change in political process and leadership should be visible in coming elections.But unfortunately our political system, selection process and ground realities are totally diffrent.Overall political awareness in Pakistan is in alarming situation.How we expect in hunza that political awareness will come suddenly.Real change process needs continious commitment,dedication and contribution to political system.Change doesn’t come only writing or discussing political theories/systems on blogs. Political change will be visible if all you people will take part practically or contribute to political process. Little example for this would be going to Hunza during elections and casting a vote for right person.
This is my generalized opnion about political process or leadership.Dont consider it my favour or diffrence of opinion for specific person.
I would be healthy if persons come up with there orgional identity.
Mansoor Karim
Islamabd
I appriciate the commentators for their intellectual comments on Mr.Hoor shah’s artical and his ideology for fooling the people of Hunza.Every body are well aware about his greed as his played game in SDP.He was one of those who mislead the people and remain involve in curruption along with their group during the implementation of the project.After his expel from the group he started alternate options to inter in the managment.Mr.Hoor Shah has polluted the diversified envirenment of Sost and has become senior Vice chairman of SDP and now wants to became MNA from Hunza.If You (HS) very intellegent and sincier so you have to call the AGM of SDP and do all that committments you were done previously.
Dear Shah Saheeb,
Thanks, for the sharing and responce in details of the bloggers, I do appriciate ur valueable comments initiating the comments from Germany and sequezing it to Hunza.
If u like to share to clear the matters, who was the team leader, to assigned the night duties of the womenfolks of SOOST Gojal on port entrance gates? (Never happend in History of Hunza).
When u and ur team visited China, Why u being the senior most and learned person didn’t took Mr. Raza Muhammad, (ex vice chairman) who was infront in the court of AC Hunza?? His picx with the garland was on Pamir site.
Why upto date, The Team didn’t shared the actual audit reports of SDP with the share holders?
As, suggested many times, what the future stratigies, targets and goals the team set/prepared for his tanyur for SDP?
why ur hnour has never shared his ploitical designation / status, when U and ur team were struggling for these Positions of SDP?
What was Your role when the villagers of Soost were fighting, being in two group (one pleaing for ur team and one for Mr. Ghanzanfar)
Why u and ur team not shared the balance sheet when u people took charge / captured on SDP??
Respectable, Hoor Shah Saheeb, for the sake of GOD, be above race, creed, cast, ethenic, geographical boundries. because, whom we are following is above all and guide us to be above all, if We are claiming we are from and educated area of Pakistan- Hunza and we know the ethics of leadership as u highlighted that u also worked in Imamati institutions.
When u and ur team took and presented the SDP case to Present Minister of Kashmire Affaries and NAs, whom of the KVO ( the major share holders of the Trust) or educated Gojalies u took on board if not what were the reasons?????
My humble suggestion for u and for the TEAM of SDP, are as: take on board all the leaderships and educated personalities to work and clear the matters of SDP, first————————-
Then go for the political solutions of Hunza??? just with out any proper feasible & measureable targets definetely we all will fel in the pool of water that didn’t have any end, as we are creeping through from the last many many decades / centries.
Dear Baig Ali and all other learned brothers from Avgarch,
I am a neutral person and dont have any direct benefit from the Port. My interest in only the interest of my community.
We request you all to please play their roles to integrate and represent the interests of local communities in KVO areas rather to politicise the issue due to historical rift on the issue on whteher to consruct the port at Sost or Morkhoon. Such village level rifts has provided opportunnities to interest groups (whether Ghazanfar, Hoor Shah or Qurban Muhammad) to play their games.
KVO was the one to give awareness to women of the region to raise their voices against opressors during Aslam case. So blaming game in dry port case only is not rationale.
Mr Baig. You may also aware that only 15 households from Sost were supporting Ghazanfar due to the personal interest and affiliation of Nambadar Abdul Aziz so it is not logical to justify.
It was also ironic to observe that the political leaders of Morkhoon despite of having historical confrontations with Ghazanafar openly supported him during this peiod for their personal or other hidden interests.
At that time why they not voiced for the interests of KVO people rather focused to strengthen Mir and Saleem at Port.
I again request respected people like Baig Ali and others from KVO areas to not politicise this issue rather to activate KVO leadership to come forward and peacefully integarte the interest of local community.
I believe that Hoor Shah and groups are not strong and powerfull like the Mirs to influnce for any legal right of the local community. Lets influnce them and not work on Mir and Rehan Shah’s agenda.
Mr Rehan, surely you were the one to draft the letter to President Musharaf and other highups in which you regarded the ocals as miscreants. Please now stop to further defending Mir as we all know about him.
The idea of ‘trust’ is increasingly gaining ground in the study of ethics. In order to understand the integrity of a person’s character it is imperative to incorporate elements of trust in his behaviour. Most of our life’s activities are unthinkable without trust. If we understand trust as the bedrock of social interaction then the structure that we build becomes entirely dependent on the availability of trust in society. If we accept this assumption of trust’s foundational role then we can easily infer that high trust societies are those where ethical standards are higher and moral practice becomes the fabric of society.
Secondly, when we try to apply such (valued) concepts in the realm of practical politics and try to appropriate them for various immediate political goals then, I think, it becomes really difficult to disentangle the philosophical ideal from its perverted practical manifestations, as is evident from the apparent hostility between Mr. Hoor Shah and Mir. Ghazanfar
While we can see that Hoor Shah sahip has attempted to present a case for consolidating ethical principles in society but unfortunately, in the style of an upright medieval Qadi, he has ended up pontificating against the vices of a corrupt contemporary politician: Mir Ghazanfar.
It might be right to condemn Ghanazfar as a political outcast because he has been tested time and again with futile results but it remains to be seen as to who will take the centre-stage. While Hoor shah sahip has remained in the political backdrop for most of his political career but are we prepared to put forward a critique that is based on honest judgements of mr shah’s character, knowledge, wisdom and intelligence as opposed to pointing out irrelevant episodes of mr shah’s life.
ali al-Hakim
London
This person Tojik, i was sure that he has a petty issue with mr shah. His is trying to create a ethnic gap between people of Hunza and Gojal. There is nothing Mr Shah is doing to create such kind of activity within two different languages speaking people. Both of the castes are murid of MHI, i am sure as MR shah sahipp has mentioned in the previous post that he has held different portfolios in imamati institution, he will never try to create a gap. I strongly condemn acts of TOJIK who is misleading this debate into a racial and ethnic differntiation. I urge you to be rational and come to the points which people of Hunza loose.
I ask you one question?? What happened to other Gojali brothers and sisters now. When Mr Shah was leading the group for social justice at that time he was a hero. When committedly he devised all things and gave sdrpt free from Evil hands of mr and his others as a self decisoner to yr people. Now you say Mr Shah is doing wrong. Dont create a gap brother. Mr Shah is widely respected and backed in Central and Lower Hunza, likewise he has good support in Gojal. You just keep writing to what he has his mandate if he is intending to contest an election
Regards
Ghulam Hassan Hunzai
Islamabad
First I must salute Mr Hur Shah for inciting too many good minds to share their views and venting out their anger. I would also congratulate him for his ability to rise above the plebian prejudices. If this is a real transformation of a personality, hitherto been associated with the “royal club” I have no qualms to say commendable transition towards an ‘authentic mode of being’ in the words of famous philosopher Heidegger. I think Mr Shah is well aware of why have I quoted Heidegger here.
There are couple of things I should add to his analysis to critically explore the theoretical framework and the subsequent conclusions that Mr Shah has arrived at in painting a picture of Hunza analogous to German society. My analysis may seem trivial to many of the readers but I think this is our duty to fully communicate to our youth the background of a theoretical framework. I consider this platform both a learning forum and a good place for constructive political debate. That is why first I will try to give a brief background of the theory of the end of history and then to critically see whether this is appropriate to apply a universal analytical scheme to compare Hunza with German society.
Fukuyama is indeed a powerful writer and a great inspiration to those who tend to adhere to an essentialist philosophy to create a world of easy explanations. Writing against the Hegel’s view of the dialectics Fukuyama proclaimed the obsequies of ideological conflict and hence the end of history. Through his dialectical analysis Hegel asserted that there is always the process of thesis, antithesis and synthesis in human society- which means that there is always struggle of conflicting ideas to prevail in that thesis is the first which is countered by a new idea called as antithesis and as a result of the conflict of these two ideas a third idea is created which contains the progressive elements of both the ideas and this process keeps continued until a rational human society is established. Hegel saw the completion of his dialectical process in the formation of modern state, but, alas, he was not alive to see the contradictions of modern state which ended up in bloody wars and balkanization in the 20th century. Anyhow, Fukuyama’s idealism knew no bounds when he tried to explain away the recurring conflicts of modern capitalistic nation state in favor of a blind moralizing of capitalistic egalitarianism. To further consolidate his theoretical edifice he drew on a new scheme of exposition wherein he asserted that the conflicts across the world emerged during the 20th century because most of the societies lacked the virtues of democracy so it is again the ‘white man burden to promote democracy. In that Fukuyama is no more different from Weber’s appreciation of protestant ethics and Huntington’s clash of civilization. Therefore, Fukuyama’s theory itself suffers from Machiavellian power realism and promotes the cause of those who inequitably control the resources of the world. This is also true that modern capitalism has invested a great deal of imagination and resources to counter the progressive ideas and also to keep modern generations ignorant of ideological undercurrents of contemporary conflicts. Since the modern means of communication are controlled by few powerful people like Murdock therefore a well thought popular perception management strategy has been devised to keep global citizenry at bay from the real systemic debates. That is why media tycoons who are also the custodian of imperialism invest money to promote celebrity culture where individuals matter while broader political debates are deemed as the practice of the past. For further elucidation of this phenomenon I suggest our young generation to study Italian thinker Antanio Gramsci.
The real tragedy of our contemporary capitalist society is that we, the citizens are reduced to consumers and our social capital is eroding in favor of a naked individualism.
Mr Shah Comparison of Hunza with Germany is based upon a theoretical fallacy coming from the canons of neoconservative thinkers like Fukuyama. Hunza, a society that remained autarkic for centuries till recent past and it stills contains the features of a pre-modern kinship based society it is rather simplicity and facility of Mr Shah thinking that one can draw an analogy with a well developed society that produced the giants like Hegel, Weber, Marx and Habermas. There is no harm to desire for a politically mature society but there are no short cuts to achieve that. We can learn a lot from German culture, its rich intellectual history and traditions of political movements but we cannot juxtapose Hunkutz to Germans. What we need is a person like Marx, and others who questioned Prussian feudalism, who questioned political oppression and established strong political idealism to be followed by billions across the world. It is rather unfair to hide our parochial political interests behind the veneer of Fukuyam and likes whose intellectual legitimacy itself is questionable.
When Hegel became disillusioned with his idealism-that is Ideas precede political and economic structures-he uttered “Owl of Minerwa spreads his wing only after the onset of dusk” Owl is the symbol of knowledge in western literature and here Hegel confessed the limitations of his theory and he in a way acceded to the forthcoming progressive philosophy of materialism which had to present a scientific materlistic explanation of social change upheld by some young German thinkers. So the continuation of intellectual progress did not stop and this is the real spirit we have to instill in our youth. They should go an extra mile to undertake social and political change with critical thinking and continued engagement. As long as there is political vacuum politics will remain the hand maiden of potential tribal lords and some defunct politicians who readily change their loyalties to safeguard their narrowly defined interests
Dear Keramat,
Thankx for sharing ur concerns and suggestions. I humbly suggested few of the suggestions as well if u read the blogger in details. As u narrated ur concerns about the community, on the same wave length I have highlighted some of the facts that are doing the new team of SDP following the old paths of Mr. Saleem.
How I played my part is very clear and that was the reason today the habitants of SOOST are very amicable relation to one another. During my last Summer vication what I have done, not required to mention because that was obligation on me and thankx God to day the people of SOOST are once again realised whom are their friends.
When this team was against Mr. Ghanzanfar, just ask Mr. Shah, what was my role and if u read the boggers at that time, u will be very clear whar role I have played. What ever the points i highlighted that is very concern for me and for the people of SOOST, so I highlighted and they have again serious impacts on the life of that communities. Thankx once again for taking the valueable comments and inputs. If u read few of the suggestions that I pointed for the Management u will be clear about me what actually my prospects and openion are.
Shah Sahip,
Well articulated but to some extent you have diverted from your traditional paths which seems strange like pakistani politics based on self vested interests. I 100% agree with the previous comments. of Mr. Amin Beg
Thanks and regards
Sharif Khan
The whole discussion in the PT Blog boils down to the bottom line that the institution of ‘Thumkusch or Mirdom’ has legally and practically disappeared from the scene in Hunza long ago and is no longer relevant. The fundamental question now is; whether or not the descendents of the ex –rulers/Mir can play any role in the local politics and development of Hunza. The short and emphatic answer is; ‘yes, why not’, but depending more on their individual political acumen, belief system and attitude towards the interests of the common people of Hunza, in particular.
Ghazanfar Ali Khan, the subject of discussion here, does come from the ex-ruling family of Hunza and he has won many of the elections he has fought (not all of them) through democratic processes, but is he effective and relevant enough to lead us; are the questions being highlighted. He currently holds the coveted position of the ‘Chief Executive’ of the Northern Areas, but he no longer is the ‘Mir/Thum’ of Hunza – legally speaking. A section of ‘Hunzukutz’ though, takes much pride of this status, taking it as an honor for ‘Hunza’, while majority, particularly the educated and thinking groups believe that the status- quo of mirdom is being attempted to maintain, no real change is visible, hence more prop-people actions are being expected from the leadership in a fast transforming society, such as Hunza.
Hoor Shah being a member of the group that all along has been supporting Ghazanfar in each of the elections he has fought so far from Hunza. Mr Shah has therefore remained much closer to Mr Ghazanfar; hence Mr Shah is naturally a kind of eye witness to the strengths and weaknesses; deeds and misdeeds of his ex –leader. Mr Shah in his article has now basically tried to tell us that Mr Ghazanfar does not have the necessary credentials to effectively lead the rapidly increasing number of literate people of Hunza. Between the lines in most parts, Mr Shah has pointed out first hand credible instances of corrupt or devoid of ethical practices followed by Mr Ghazanfar to further his own and family interests.
One would tend to respect the views expressed by Mr Shah and agree with his judgment about credentials of Mr Ghazanfar. Like all of us, Mr Shah has every right to ‘call black a black’. He has also the right to wish for a potential political leadership that is fully equipped with the necessary credentials; including the leadership skills, qualities, ethics, trust and truthfulness, pro-people stance, etc. When and how are we going to have such a leadership in Hunza is a relevant question for us all to ask and ponder upon, one should not curse Mr Shah for dreaming an ideal situation for our dreamland -Hunza, especially when the society is passing through a painful transitional phase – from the fiefdom to a more democratic dispensation.
Mr Shah however richly deserves our praises for raising the burning issues at the right time; he does really have a thinking head on an ageing shoulder.
Mutabiat Shah, Islamabad