The people of Northern Pakistan do not just reside on a
higher altitude; in fact they are above us in many ways. They are
healthier, wealthier and wiser.
The northern areas of Pakistan, in addition to being one of the most beautiful places on
earth, house some of the most brilliant people in our country (some of
whom I’ve had the privilege to meet). Although I have had many friends
from this area, I came abreast with their true potential and
capabilities about six months ago, when I attended a residential youth
camp with participants from all over Pakistan.
A considerable number of participants had their roots in the northern
areas. Their array of talents ranged from academics and social work to
sports and even politics. If you think of them like I did – as
shalwar-kameez clad, conservative people – then your view is about to
change, forever.
The northern areas of Pakistan consist of the Gilgit-Baltistan region,
with Hindukush, Karakoram and western Himalayas guarding it on the
north and south respectively. It borders to the north with Afghanistan
and China, to the south with India and Azad Kashmir and to the west
with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Populated by 1,800,000 people (according to 2008 census), the
territory of present-day Gilgit–Baltistan became a separate
administrative unit in 1970 under the name of Northern Areas, formed by
the amalgamation of the Gilgit Agency, the Baltistan District of the
Ladakh Wazarat, and the states of Hunza and Nagar.
On August 29, 2009, the Pakistani cabinet passed the Gilgit-Baltistan
Empowerment and Self-Governance Order, 2009, which was later signed by
the President. The order contracted self-rule to the people of
Gilgit-Baltistan, by creating an elected Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative
Assembly among other things. Gilgit–Baltistan thus gained de facto province-like status without constitutionally being a province.
When education is a national emergency, the literacy rate of the
region is considerably higher than the rest of the country, and whatever
the demographic facts might say, the people are sincere towards education
with over 2,100 schools and educational institutions, most of them are
community-based with primary and secondary schools and adult education
centres.
The people have formed various community-based programs with help
from NGOs and strongly believe that they can solve their problems
creatively and peacefully. But sadly, Pakistan has not integrated them
further in the country’s affairs on the grounds of its international
obligations over the Kashmir dispute. Consequently, these enlightened
people do not have the right to vote in the Senate and National
Assembly.
In spite of all the stereotypes about them, the people of northern
areas continue to show a rather educated, constructive and liberal face
of Pakistan to the world. The most recent examples are of Natasha Baig
from Hunza being selected as one of the only six participants in the
show Cornetto Music Icons from all over Pakistan and Samina Baig also from Hunza who became the Pakistani woman to conquer the peak of Mount Everest.
Apart from these two in the field of sports, the northern areas have
given Pakistan a female arm-wrestling champion and a few international
female cricketers.
Another example is of Hina Hazrat from Chitral, a student in Karachi University, who founded The Youth Republic,
a global youth network spread across 135 countries, which bagged the
runner-up award in the World Youth Summit, 2012 in Canada, competing
with 1224 entries from 122 UN member states who submitted their projects
in the global contest. The Youth Republic’s most recent initiative,
Parinday, which focuses on Indo-Pak friendship, is co-founded by Hina
Hazrat and the music icon Natasha Baig.
Yet another example is of Saeeda Mirbaz Khan,
who after writing a 100-page essay for an international competition,
came out a winner, beating 1900 essays from 25 countries. She was
honoured by the then prime minister, Yousaf Raza Gilani, and was
inducted as youth governor of Gilgit-Baltistan in the National Youth
Assembly.
Judging from the above, women empowerment seems to be thriving in the
northern areas, when it has yet to find a way even in the most educated
and posh locales of urban Pakistan.
The list of their contributions is endless. But we find it easier to
marginalise people instead of acknowledging their talents. Six months
ago, my whole perception about these people changed forever. Now, I know
that northern areas of Pakistan are synonymous with education,
dedication to their country and empowerment.
Source: http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/17552/womens-empowerment-and-literacy-have-we-underestimated-the-northern-areas/
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