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"protect Chitral daughters".

This is in reference to a letter captioned “Protect Chitral Daughters” by Ms Falak Naz Taj appearing in Chitraltimes.com. My worthy sister has raised an important issue relating to the plight of the womenfolk in Chitral who are frequently married off to non-Chitralis without knowing their consent. In support of her contention, she has also sketched a touching scene of an encounter with a helpless Chitrali girl deserted by her anonymous husband in a pathetic condition at Islamabad airport. More so, the writer has also dwelled at length on the glorious customs and traditions which till recently remained the hallmark of Chitral; and are now beginning to crumble down like the house of cards. I agree with the writer’s perspective and add a few more points to further elaborate the issue for healthy discussion.

No wonder, culture is not static and is vulnerable to change in due course of time. In case of Chitral the materialistic inclination, arising out of avaricious lust for money is most probably the main culprit leading to the decay of the age-old cultural norms. We must admit the fact that Chitral is losing ground to materialistic trends at the cost of our glorious customs and traditions. It has influenced the institution of marriage adversely, which is otherwise a sacred contract between two individuals. Wealth has become the yardstick to measure the worth of a person. A good number of Chitralis happen to consign character of a person to the dustbin when it comes to contracting marriages between two individuals. Rather, social standing and wealth reigns supreme, to say the least.

The non-Chitralis getting an undue advantage from this shortcoming play their tricks on some of the simple natured people of Chitral. As the saying goes, “Appearances are deceptive”. The Chitralis in some cases are unable to perceive the true nature of such people and their deceptive tactics work wonders enticing them to give the hands of their daughters in marriage to paupers and charlatans in reality. The role of the undercover agents in the facilitation of the marriages cannot be ignored and need to be given exemplary punishment for playing with the sensibilities of the Chitrali masses. It is because of those involved in this heinous business that Chitral has earned a bad name and the people from outside Chitral dub its inhabitants as sellers of daughters at the cost of paltry sum.

The role of some organizations functioning in Chitral to check this take-and-give business of the aliens from taking roots in Chitral is worth appreciable. It is on the record that the outcome of such organization’s efforts has been wholesome; but the need of the hour is that these organizations must be whole heartedly supported by other welfare organizations working in Chitral in order to bolster the efforts undertaken by them. Most importantly, the efforts they are making towards a great cause need to be encouraged and appreciated and supported by religeo-political circles. Ironically, no positive response has so far been received from that side as far as my knowledge is concerned.

The question arises: how to counter this issue head on. In the first place, concerted efforts must be put in to create awareness among the people to beware of swindlers in future. We should dispel the wrong impression that Chitralis sell their daughters to outsiders at throw away prices to non-Chitralis by raising the issue at print and electronic media. The media persons and the noted columnists of Chitral might do the job in a befitting manner through articulating it forcefully that the people of Chitral are cultured, civilized and respectful citizens and labeling them with distorting clichés is below their dignity and honor. Even if a nominal case relating to the matter under discussion might have happened, the whole of Chitral can not be blamed for it. Because the fact of the matter is that black sheep are found every where.
 

Waqar Ahmad
Brep, Chitral