Pakhtoon as Global workers
By: Tarique Khan Javed
President, Overseas Pakistani Investors Forum.
                           Dated 31 Dec 2009

Circumstances have forced Pakhtoon to migrate to distance lands to survive. They circulated through out Indian basin before British rule. Britishers took them to long distances like Australia, Africa and South America as plantation workers and finally helped them land in Oil rich Gulf. The savings made in Gulf during the last 35 years have for the first time in history, enabled Pakhtoon to create enough jobs in their own area, to eliminate the need for leaving their love ones behind to feed them. Investment friendly policies are required to channel the massive invest able fund in productive use. 

Role of Pakhtoon in pre British India:
Rohillas as the Pakhtoon were known in India played a major role in the power structure all over India, since thirteenth century. After the collapse of Mughal Empire they formed their own State of Rohilkhand in North West. They were in a position to fill the gap and take over major part of India within their rule if not confronted by Britishers. Britishers recognised Rohillas as the most potent challengers to their ambitions in India. Therefore they did not waste any time in destroying Rohilkhand with the help of Nawab of Awadh in 1774; just 17 years after the Battle of Plassey in Bengal, which gave them a foothold on India.

They put the major blame of Mutiny in 1857 on the Rohillas and directed much of the vengeance on them. Yet they were unable to destroy them. Despite British displeasure big and small Princely states continued to employ Rohillas for military duty as well as tax collection. At Zamindar and District administration level their demand remained intact as no one else could perform tax collection duties better than them. In the large State of Hyderabad under British pressure Rohillas were expelled which led to serious clashes. But the Rohillas persisted at the dismay of Britishers. Local State officials realized that British pressure was partly to weaken them by alienating useful allay; therefore they did not take part in the expulsion, whole heartedly. Rohillas found employment with Hindu States of Marathas and Rajputs as well. They were also in demand in Yemen and other neighbouring countries.

Assimilation under British rule:
As the British hold on India expanded the Rohillas were gradually reduced to marginal position in the society. The name was generally down graded to Pathan only. They adopted well to the changed circumstances and accepted lower level jobs of guardsmen, gardeners, transporters etc. They also accepted jobs in far off places like Australia Guyana, Surinam, Kenya etc to work on plantations under five years contract.

The prospects of Oil discovery in the Gulf attracted British interest and they took the area under their protective control. They negotiated with the nominal Rulers that they will only employ British subjects in their countries. In Bahrain, when oil was discovered in 1933 new employment opportunities arose and by 1939 some 820 Indians were working in Bahrain along 300 European and Americans. This was followed by other similar opportunities in Iraq, Kuwait, UAE and Saudi Arabia. The early foothold of Pakhtoon in the Gulf proved to be the most positive  development for them in their long history.

Pakistan and early response by Pakhtoon   
By 1925 an enlightened leadership arose in NWFP in response to the neglect of the British Rulers. They objected to lack in demand in the introduction of Representative Government in NWFP as introduced in Punjab. The British attitude was that Pakhtoon were not fit for democratic experiments and better left alone. They feared that the democratic experiment may lead to major upheaval. However, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan disagreed and demanded that Pakhtoon be treated at par with rest of the Indians. He started the Red Shirt movement which was a non violent movement close allied with Congress. He emphasised that Pakhtoon are a peaceful people and have same aspirations as rest of the Indians. However, due to limited economic opportunity at home they are compelled to migrate to other parts for jobs. Thus, for them it was important that the opportunity should not be limited and therefore they opposed division of India.

After creation of Pakistan, Pakhtoon had to further adopt and find jobs within Pakistan. This challenge was compounded by the arrival of large number of Pakhtoon and other Muslims from India. They mainly settled in Peshawar and Karachi.

Pakistan’s economic performance:
Thanks to the rapid economic growth of Pakistan during 1947-1970 periods, Pakhtoon found jobs and were generally better off. However, the 1972 nationalization and dismemberment of the Country once again put heavy pressure on them. However, by then the Gulf States were booming with higher and higher oil revenues and starter to attract large number of Pakistanis for job. This started a new chapter in Pakhtoon history as migration to Gulf and elsewhere become the focal point of Pakhtoon existence. They flocked to these countries as Taxi drivers, Construction workers etc and started the great remittance drive in history. The surplus earned in Gulf and spent in Pakistan ushered in a major transformation in the economic and social condition of Pakistanis at large and Pakhtoon in particular.
   
Impact of Overseas Pakhtoon (OP):
Remittances from the Gulf went to increase consumption in the families and making brick houses. After that towards education and better health care. The relative raising of living standards of Overseas Pakhtoon started an upward competitive trend in Pakhtoon community at large. They also upset the old political and social hierarchy and sons of migrant workers soon started to become MPAs and MNAs. The impact on woman flock was mixed. They attained importance as head of the household and economic managers. But their role was envied by other members of the mixed family. Better education of girls from OP families, some even going for higher education is likely to have far reaching consequences.

After spending 10-30 years abroad increasing number of OP are returning back. They have preferred to be self employed by buying Rickshaws, Taxi, Construction equipments, opening shops, hotels and shopping malls. Many are returning from USA and Europe as well as sometime leaving behind families reluctant to return. So is the pull of motherland!

FATA as a destination of OP investment:
While overall economic conditions have substantially improved in the settled areas of NWFP, poverty is rampant in the FATA region.  Without legal frame work like Registry and Civil courts, capital formation and job creation has lagged behind. Even OP from this Region tends to invest their savings in settled areas while their own localities suffer.

In the absence of jobs and income common people have been lured by Arm, Drug, Kidnapper and Extortionist mafias to accept their job offers mostly against their beliefs. Foreign terrorists with huge budgets have enrolled them to work for them in their terrorist outfits. They offer such large sums as rent that it is difficult to resist the temptation and people agree to give their properties on rent knowing well that they will be used for terrorist activities. This has bought a bad name for Pakhtoon living in FATA and has been detrimental for the overall image of Pakhtoon and Pakistanis as a whole.

Rescuing FATA out of poverty trap:
After a delay of 62 years the Government has finally resolved to punish the bad elements in FATA region and rescue the common peace loving but poor people. If the current military operations succeed it will mean end of lot of job opportunities in the evil industry. Implying that Government should find alternative jobs. Besides the Government jobs, Benazir Income support fund may be extended to FATA urgently. However biggest favour the Government can do to the people of the area is by raising the missing infrastructure on settled area lines so that the huge amount of OP investment may come to the Region. The invest able funds available with OP now is very large and is capable of transforming FATA region beyond recognition. The accumulated savings of OP in the last 30 years is estimated to be around USD 100 billions. Even 50% investment in FATA region can wipe out poverty from the region for good and for the first time in history provided jobs to the residents at door steps. Thus eliminating the need to migrate to foreign land leaving behind dear ones. This can be done by adopting investors friendly policies as pursued by China, Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar etc. One Free Economic Zone in FATA, of the type established in China after 1992, can absorb all its work force. OP will invest whole heartedly in such a Zone being satisfied that no one will bother them and their hand work and sound business model will guarantee success for them as investors and as stable and well paying jobs for their workers.