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Emergence of Social Evils in Chitral

Being a remote and isolated region, Chitral has its own unique culture and tradition. The people of Chitral lead a very simple life. They are bounded with one another through strong social and cultural ties. They do sense and share with each other both the feelings of pleasure and misery. Majority of the people of Chitral know each other. They have retained their legacy of respect, simplicity and honesty beyond several centuries.

Unfortunately, the modern era puts its negative effects on the behavior and cultural aspects of the people rapidly, and these simple and honest people are losing their uniqueness. A new trend of modernism is tamped to emerge among these simple minded people, who are not habitual to practice this phenomenon. Reports reveal that with the passage of time the rate of social injustice and crimes is increasing in Chitral. People who belong to high socio-economic status introduce and adopt new customs which the poor and less privileged natives can’t afford, hence, a sense of deprivation and frustration builds up in the minds of the later. In a consequence, an environment of social injustice and crimes provoking is created. Few examples of such social evils are; use of unfair means during examination in education institutions, extravagance during marriage ceremony, business of drugs and alcohol, marriages without parents’ permission, deception in interpersonal dealing, lack of respect for elders and parents, unnecessary use of dish TV and mobile phones, unacceptable dressing and fashions among young generation, smoking and substance abuse, bribery, favourism, intolerance and sectarianism.

Bribery and favourism has become a socially well accepted approach to acquire employment and get official works done. In Chitral, if you have good political or social background you can get government job regardless of merit and qualification. Many people are working in key posts who have been appointed totally on political or unfair basis. Being the citizens of a civilized society more than ever, being the Chitralis, we must look in to these issues and must develop ways to control and diminish these social evils, otherwise, we have to take breath in a society with a dead soul, slumbered conscience and injured self respect. In this regard, a big responsibility goes to the educated society, electronic and printed media and religious preachers.

Through these lines, being privileged by the on line paper, “Chitraltimes.com”, I draw the attention of every Chitrali towards this fiery issue. Remember! only those societies emerge as developed and civilized society, and lead other nations who build their lives on the basic principles of justice, equality, merit, quality education and honesty. Furthermore, our religion, Islam, teaches us theses elements to be basis of our lives. There is a big difference between claiming of being a Muslim and practically do like a Muslim. Allah may help us to be good human being and save us from all kinds of sins. (Ameen)

Hakim Shah
Karachi.