Every society in the world adopts a system and a mechanism to govern itself. Essentially, most of the systems which we are abreast of have historical corollaries. In ancient times, nobility, clergyman and feudal lords have played a vital role in the social, economic and political realms. Whether these systems were blessing or bane but there role in the state of affairs cannot be disparaged tooth and nail. For most of the modern enlightened writers these statuses were meant to bar the social progress and free thinking. To which every progressive man was fed up and wanted to jettison these artificial lords one way or the other. Moreover, many considered it as the custodians of social norms and values. There occurred reformation and renaissance which eroded these systems and free an ordinary man from self created statuses and their autocratic laws. Notwithstanding, modernism and the revolutions whether bloody or cultural have left no stone unturned to crush these anachronistic and outdated systems.
Presently, in Pakistani society, most of the ancient systems are conspicuous and active. In the pace of modernism, people have kept alive their ancient traditions with strong zeal and enthusiasms. So much as, in Pakistan feudal lords in case of Punjab, khans and Maliks in KPK, Sains in Sindh and Sardars, Nawabs in Balochistan have great stakes in politics and their say cannot be ignored in deciding the societal norms. In fact, they are the real decision makers in any issue arises within the folds of their domains. The genesis of these systems in sub continent commenced with the coming of colonialists who were in search of loyalists and had took refuge in their policies of “divide and rule” and “robbing Paul and paying Peter”. To make their rule easy they started conferring statuses to the native land holders. By doing this the imperialists co-opted them without using any coercive method. Still this legacy of linchpins by Britishers is alive with great fervor. Apparently, the Europeans with their bitter experience with these traditional identities and statuses have diminished them by the power of education and democratic virtues. But, in most of the third world countries feudal lords and the created elites are as powerful as privileged dictators. Majority of state resources and powers are in their clenches and grips. The place and the environment which they have made are hard to be challenged by an ordinary man in present circumstances. Moreover, state’s clandestine role in empowering these dummy sardars and nawabs is matter of grave concern which is real bone of contention in ways of social mobility and ensuring an egalitarian society in Pakistan. Unless and until these self imposed illegitimate lords are ruling, there would be no progress, prosperity and democracy in Pakistan.
Genesis of tribal systems in sub-continent commenced with the coming of colonialists who were in search of loyalists
Incumbently, the male domination, conservativeness and backwardness are the results of these anachronistic systems which the modern societies cannot withhold. Be it the condition of rural education system, women empowerment and the clumsy punchayat system are bane and inflicting untold miseries to the society in many ways.
The case of Balochistan is verily unique. Here Sardars and Nawabs under the patronage of state are at the helm of affairs. Most of them are representing the people of Balochistan in parliament and working day and night to materialize their own interests rather than caring for general myriads. It is tantamount to saying that state interests are easily being served by these dummy sardars. They are corrupt and incompetent, and for an ordinary youth they are burden. Except, the era of Sardar Attaullah Mengal, who is educated and progressive in outlook, Balochistan had been deprived of real representatives owing to the wrong selection of state. A progressive Sardar like him had done a lot for the poor and destitute of Balochistan. For the first time he made university, medical college and highway for the public utility.
The popular notion of Punjab based intellectuals regarding Baloch and Pasthun sardars is verily true because they never worked to improve the living standard of the people of their respective domains. Educating the youth for them is a threat and a challenge to their survival and power.
Tribal system is not compatible with modernism and democracy and it should be wiped out
Presently, in Balochistan assembly there are roundabout twenty Nawabs and sardars but they are unaware of public affairs and the basic issues of masses. Moreover, it is due to the faulty system of election and rogue state policies these dummy title holders make their ways to the prestigious lawmaking-house. Essentially, a true representative is an existential threat to state’s wrong choices and will bar any anti people and anti democratic policy which is against the will of people. But, these dummies will never raise their voice for general public rather fight to save their own titles and privileges by and large. An ordinary man stirs no hope to this ancient institution which inflicted more harms and never healed his injuries. They have tainted the image of Balochistan nationally and internationally due to their vested interests.
It is high time to jettison such yokes which are good for nothing. It is the ripe time for the youth to challenge them with the power of education. The status quo which the elites have created is nothing to do with the affairs of an ordinary man that must be amended with new one. State must reconsider its policies regarding these self imposed moths which are weakening and damaging the societal norms and which are the real impediments in the ways of progress and prosperity. Tribal system is not compatible with modernism and democracy and it should be wiped out.
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