www.chitraltimes.com

A person with a vision

(AKDN Balance Sheet)

By Hakim Shah

A debate over an article, written by Mr. Islamuddin, compelled me to give my own point of view in accordance with the valuable thoughts and insights in to the subject matter by the eminent writers through their letters.

Perhaps, there are many points in the article, we would not agree with the views of the writer, but generally this article vindicates a clear vision and sincere thoughts of a native of Chitral towards his mother land. It doesn’t seen anywhere in his article that the writer criticizes any person, a group or a community, rather he tries to identify some pitfalls and needs of improvement in the pre-existing and existing system of AKDN, what he thinks right. What would happen if we would accept and appreciate the true and justified comments, and give some clarifications and evidence-base to the points which seem to be personnel judgments of the writer? Personally, I also belong to AKDN, and it doesn’t mean that there is nothing wrong in the system of AKDN and it is a perfect one. There may be many shortcomings, and incapability in the system, and any person who draws our attention towards them in order to help us to achieve our ultimate goal, is a well wisher of AKDN. Moreover, every person who is a direct or indirect beneficiary of the services of AKDN has a right to do so.

We must realize the fact that the people of Chitral are very sensitive towards their cultural and religious values and beliefs. They don’t easily accept anything, which they feel is against their cultural and religious values. The major pitfall in the system of AKDN, which the writer (Islamuddin) has pointed out, is the inability of AKDN to gain the confidence of non-Ismaili community of Chitral. I badly felt this reality during a research project. For the period of this project, I visited many villages of subdivision Chitral, from Arandu to Gobor, and conducted face to face interviews. I realized that none-Ismaili community is not satisfied with AKDN in Chitral. I found, there is a lot of AKDN has to do in this regard, to bring a more harmonious environment for both the communities. Now, the time has approached that AKDN must not close its eyes, assuming that everything is all right. We must take a lesson from the previous government. During their ruling period, they repeatedly claim that the economic status of the country was improving. But at the end, we see to-day our economic status is at the verge of deterioration.

Mr. Islamuddin is one of the sincere and honest Chitralis. He always used to raise his voice in the best interest of the public. If he points out some weaknesses in the system of AKDN, every person, who is sincere with AKDN, must reflect on it for a while, and remember the vision of AKDN, which was proposed by His Highness, The Aga Khan. Is the vision of AKDN is deferent with what the writer is trying to explain? If not, then what is the use of being judgmental, defensive and angry?? This is not the time to spend our energies in proofing ourselves that we are the righteous, it would better do it with our action, character and behavior. The people of Chitral are very straightforward, simple and honest. They believe only in actions not in reactions. We must follow the true and broad vision of the His Highness; in the reflection of this vision, Islamuddin has given his valued comments in his article. Because, he himself a person with a vision.