www.chitraltimes.com

Garzi might be right

I visited your web and was initially taken aback, reading Garzi�s open letter to the ex-Mehtar of erstwhile state of Chitral. But when I tried to read � in between the lines� I partially agreed to what this old hawk (of the free lance media) is trying to convey to Chitrali people. Garzi seems up set by electioneering slogans and its repercussions on the Chitrali society as a whole. He feels that Chitral is place dwelled by people migrated from different neighboring regions in different times to become one people called Chitralis with rich culture and strong traditions. They were free people and are free people today. Democracy runs in their veins with the blood. When Chitral was still a princely state, people chose their rulers. If some ruler did not deliver they simply pulled him away and enthroned a brother, son or a cousin instead. Only the sons of the Mehtar were called Shahzadaz. Rests of the descendants were only known as Laley. God knows how, but one finds a shahzada beneath every stone today. There are more shahs in chitral today then the common people. Britain is probably one of the oldest kingdoms but there are only two Shazadas. Similar is the case with Iran, Saudi Arabia, Japan and many others. The over whelming numbers of Shahzadas in Chitral has up-set this traditionally strong society and so is Garzi. The last election campaigning gave a new but ugly dimension to this traditionally strong but sensitive society. It is time, as Garzi feels, that the ex-Mehtar occupies his seat as ex-ruler in Chitral. People still have lots of regards for him which was amply manifested a couple of years back at his wedding. His permanent presence will help decrease the numbers self-styled and self-proclaiming shahzadas on one hand and bridge the gape between the people of Chitral that was un-wisely created by some the candidates and their supporters. Every Chitrali is noble and enjoys respect. We are Muslims and in Islam there is no preference over one another except on the basis of piety. Shahzada or no shahzada, we are Chitralis and know how to respect each other.

Garzi, I am sure, is not for the return of the Mehtar- rule but he is worried about how the things are shaping up if not checked. I would request those who by fault, tried to portrait during the last elections campaign, as if there were class differences in Chitral like in the Hindu society. They must clarify their position before the people and ask for pardon for the mistake they did.

Qazi Chitral
 

.