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Re-naming NWFP
North West Frontier Province is the habitation of more than
hundreds tribes, sub tribes and clans, sub clans. It is not the
land of a single nation which is being given name after 63 years of
its existence. North West Frontier Province was its name which
represented all nations and tribes living in this province equally.
The cry and hue of renaming NWFP is an immense nature of conspiracy
to weaken its roots and geographical boundaries. This slogan if not
curbed in time would sabotage the peaceful environment by creating
differences and animosities among the peace loving nations and
tribes living from Chitral to South Waziristan and from Kohistan to
D I Khan. Nations and tribes other than Pakhtun and Pathan who
sacrificed their bread and butter during the freedom movement have
equal right to fight and talk about renaming of their beloved
province in every platform. It’s not a property which was given to
Pakhtun who live in mountains and Pathan who resides in plains as a
gift putting it on a golden plate ignoring the historical
achievements of hundreds of other tribes and clans living in
different districts of NWFP.
According to my opinion the name of the province should be changed
on the basis of mountains, rivers and soil which have been playing
vital role in the improvement of our economy from time immemorial.
Our mountains and rivers have great contribution in the development
of our beloved country economically and strategically. For example,
Sind was derived from a Sanskrit word Sindhu means as river or
stream. This name was given to our Sind Province around 5000 years
ago by the nomads who migrated to India from Sumeria (now Iran)
where they discovered a rich and fertile land which was irrigated
by the number of rivers namely Ravi, Sutluj, Beas, Chenab which
were the tributaries of Indus River. Living along this river they
raised vegetables, grains and animal and built famous cities like
Harapa and Muhinjudaru in accordance to a comprehensive planning.
More than 28 tribes and castes which include Bhil, Kolhi, Shikari,
Sami, Burraha, Bagari, Charan Oad, Jogi lived in Sind but in naming
this province not a name of that tribes was used. Similarly the
name of Punjab was given due to its five rivers which flow through
the whole of Punjab irrigating its large fertile land. In naming
this big province its five rivers were used rather than the names
of ancient tribes which include Agrawal, Brahmins, Dahts, Gujurs,
Jats, Rajputs, Saini, etc. In the case of NWFP more than hundred
tribes and clans with diverse cultures and traditions live in
different parts of the country. For example, the primary abode of
Marwat tribe is Laki Marwat, Tank and DI Khan Districts. Other
tribes which live around them are Khatak, Wazir, Batani, Mahsud,
Banuchi and Niazi. Similarly, Yousuf Zai, Khatak, Shenwari and
Afridi tribes are residing in Peshawar Kohat and Banu speaking
Pashto slightly different from each other. Awans, Malik, Gujur,
Sayed, Tanouli, Rajput, Sheiks, Mughols, Qureshi, Baghban, Kassabs
and Ghakas are in Hazara speaking different languages. In DI Khan
Jat tribe and many other tribes are living. All these tribes have
multiple ideas regarding renaming of their Province. Some tribes
prefer Abasine as the new name for the province other introduces
Afghania or Pokhtunkhawa as its new name. Some prefer the present
name upon others. Anyhow, we should see it, whether on giving new
name, our province will develop economically, it will represent the
entire tribes equally, it will eliminate corruption, reduce poverty
and excrete social discrimination from our society. If not, it will
be considered an intrigue for pushing the province in embarrassing
situation and dividing the nations in to many rival groups. If
renaming of the province after 63 years is mandatory, it should be
given new name after its splendid and magnificent mountains which
hand great contribution in the development of our country
economically.
NWFP is confined in the mountains and rivers which are the
perennial sources of livelihood and earning. The fertile lands of
NWF and some parts of Punjab are irrigated by the rivers stemming
down from the glaciers lying on the precipitous mountains of
Chitral and Northern Areas. It is our mountains and rivers that
plays significant role to uplift our economy and put our country in
take off position. The Indus River, Kabul River, Panchkola River,
Swat River, and Kunhar River that irrigate the entire areas of
frontier flow through this ground.
North West Frontier Province including Northern Areas is the land
of five mountains like Punjab which is the land of five rivers. The
world’s highest mountains like Godwin Austin (K2) 8611 m, Nanga
Parbet (8125 m), Gasher Brum 1 (8068 m), Broad Peak (8047 m) and
Gasher Brum II (805 m) are located in this region.
Similarly, the world’s highest peaks Terich Mir (7708 m) Terich Mir
NW (7487 m), Saraghrar Peak (7338 m) and Istoro Nal (7403 m) are
situated only in Chitral the largest district of the province in
terms of area.
The longest glaciers in the world namely Godwin Austin, Abruzzni
and Boltoro which have great contribution in making the entire area
of NWFP lush and agriculturally improved places are also in this
zone.
The ranges of Karakurum and Koh-e-Hundukush that cover the entire
areas of the province like a strong fortification and boundary wall
to protect it from foreign invasion are existed here.
The entire private and Govt buildings existing through out the
country are constructed with the materials which include woods,
marble, china clay, sand and lime stone collected from our
mountains and rivers.
The Mega Hydro-Power Stations which include Torbela, Warsak,
Malakand & Dargai, and Ghazi Barotha that supply electricity to the
entire big cities of Pakistan are in this territory and run by its
water come down from the snow caped mountains. Similarly, the big
factories of manufacturing different goods are functioning in
different cities of Pakistan through the electricity produced by
our power stations.
The world’s valuable minerals which include emerald, gold, ruby,
aquamarines, topaz, iron and industrial minerals that include
marbles of different kinds, granite, mica, feldspar, barite, china
clay, copper, lead and antimony are explored in this tract of land.
Based on these resources many industries which include cement
industry, granite cutting and polishing industry, paint industry,
pottery industry etc are established in the various provinces of
our country.
The conjuring valleys of Chitral, Hunza, Shigar, Khaplu, Lshkuman,
Nular, Gilgit, Skardu, and Dir are located in this Zone. The
natural lakes like Shandur, Kurumbar, Satpara, Lalusar, Saiful Mulk
that add unmatched greatness to the beauty of harsh mountains are
here. Kaghan Valley, Naran valley Babusar and Deosai plain are also
in this region.
The famous silk rout which was started in 1959 and completed in
1969 by the un-tired efforts of 10000 Chinese and 15000 Pakistan
army engineers against the natural barriers and rugged mountain
terrain goes through this region. Trade with China is undertaken
through this rout which has strengthened our economy substantially.
Tourists from all over the world travel through these areas
annually. Approximately 50 % of the total tourists which include
backpackers, researchers, hikers, students and professionals are
traveling through this soil. Mountaineers from all over the world
come here annually to climb up the high mountains.
On the basis of these evidences I suggest “Kohistan Province” as
the new name for NWFP, I thing other tribes and castes would also
agree with this suggestion.
Maham Saleem Chitral
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Re-naming NWFP
Dear Editor,
Through on line news paper I would like to share my opinion on
renaming of NWFP. Actually the ruling Awami National Party wants to
divert the attention of the masses, by generating debate on the
non-issue like renaming Frontier, from real issues the communities
are facing in shape of load shedding, price hike, law and order. If
the so-called Pukhtun nationalists are sincere in renaming the
province, they should arrange a referendum to resolve the problem
once and for all. Opinion should be taken to rename the province
because there are considerable part of population who speak
languages other than pushto.
Regards,
Mohammad Yousuf Zond
Islamabad.
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