Terrorism, tourism and instability

The terror-hit area of Bajaur has created serious hurdles for women travellers

The women in the tribal belt have become ‘invisible and voiceless’ due to a Jirga banning them from tourism in the Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

The grand Jirga has imposed a ban on women from visiting recreational and tourist spots across Bajaur. The decision of banning women comes at a time when Pakistan has been ranked the second-worst country on the global gender gap index.

When Bol News reached out to a Jirga member, they refused to talk on this issue. However, Maaz Khan, the residence of Salazarzai present at Jirga stated that it’s true that women have been stopped from visiting tourist spots in Bajaur.

He also said that the Jirga, which had local elders and religious leaders in attendance, even restricted women accompanied with men to go to any tourist places because there are ‘immoral’ activities observed at the recreational spots frequented by local people and tourists.

The local journalist expressed that local elders were ‘furious’ because right after Eidul Azha, there was an influx of locals including men and women who visited Raghagan Dam, where they had boat rides and musical programmes.

He expressed that the Jirga conveyed that they are forced to take such decisions because they observed ‘unethical’ activities such as dancing at the tourist spot.

The journalist added that the Jirga was informed that locals were not against the women visiting tourist spots but against the activities happening there.

He further said that the Jirga had also cautioned the government that if the district administration did not stop the women from taking this initiative, then the Jirga would stop it. The local council was hosted by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), comprising local elders, religious scholars, political leaders and youth from Bajaur district.

The grand Jirga was held in Salarzai tehsil, an area of the former Bajaur Agency, and now a newly merged tribal district with KP. After FATA merged with KP, the district administration set up in the newly merged tribal belt to ensure law and order in the merged areas.

Bol News reached out to Hamza Zahoor, who is the Assistant Commissioner Khar in Bajaur district. He said that there is no ban on the movement of women or families to picnic spots or tourist destinations anywhere in Bajaur.

He elaborated that all the tourist spots were open to all and sundry and the district administration and law enforcement agencies will not allow any private individuals to interfere with this ‘freedom.’

He also said that cultural sensitivities were involved as society in Bajaur was conservative. “But we are trying our best to resolve this issue by taking all the measures and keeping the sensitivity of the area in mind.”

Responding to a question, he added, “Yes, there is separate space for families in this dam area, which lies far away from general space open to the youth and male visitors; but measures will be taken to ensure that the female quarter is properly cordoned off and utmost ‘parda’ is ensured.”

Earlier, the local Jirga imposed a ban on women from calling FM radios and going to the market without a male guardian in Bajaur.

The decision was implemented only for local women while excluding the families coming from abroad or from within the other cities of the country.

People from different walks of life have expressed their concern over such decisions and demanded the government to stop the menace.

On reacting to the Jirga decision, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz provincial vice-president Shahabuddin Khan expressed a strong reaction to the decision of banning women, calling it unconstitutional.

He said that the ignorant decision of the Jirga disappointed him. “This decision is illegal and a violation of women’s rights and the authorities need to take notice of the issue so that such illegal decisions can be avoided in the future.”

The decision is also getting backlash on social media, as Rafi Khan, one of the locals in the area, wrote on his Facebook that the Jirga members not only insulted local women but also tried to challenge the government.

Mah Gul on Twitter expressed concerns on the decision questioning the Jirga that in the 21st century, who had given the authority to such people to impose illegal restrictions on the movement of women?

Muhammad Tayab narrated that a Jirga should also be called for woman in Bajaur that they will not work in the fields, bringing wood from the mountains and there will be a social boycott on whoever did not give women a share in the inheritance.

Zeenat Bibi stated that the same women bring firewood from the mountains, cultivating the lands and most standing in lines for ration but ‘only entertainment and pleasure of these women hurt their pride.’

The gender-based issue is depriving millions of women in Pakistan of legal protection and leaving them fearful for their rights and livelihood.

Recently, the Global Gender Gap Report released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) had positioned Pakistan as the second-worst country. According to the world ranking, Pakistan has been ranked 145 out of 146 states, followed by Congo, Iran, Afghanistan and Chad.

The writer is a freelance contributor based in Peshawar. He tweets @JawadYousufxai