Treading Pakistan
MY mother wasn’t too happy when I told her that my travels were going to take me to Pakistan through the India-Pakistan border; we are, after all, being bombarded with horror stories on the recent tension between the two countries, especially at the border.
Secondly, for many of us whose source of information comes from Western media, Pakistan has always been associated with terrorism (read: Taliban) as well as female oppression. I read the news too. But if travelling has taught me anything, it is that most of the time, getting a first-hand experience of a place or a situation will allow someone to make a much more informed conclusion about it.
So off I went, and I entered Pakistan from India through the India-Pakistan Wagah border.
SMOOTH SAILING
Was the border crossing intimidating? Of course it was. After all, this is the border that splits two countries which have been in tension with each other for decades. But did I feel threatened? Not at all.
Despite the fact that my passport had to be checked eight times at different checkpoints, the immigration and military personnel manning the border were helpful, friendly and welcoming (especially when they knew I was Malaysian. We must be doing something right, guys!).
Pakistan was unexpectedly clean, beautiful and the people, hospitable. From the border, I had to find my way using rented cars, buses and flights to Gilgit, an area north of Pakistan known for being home to many of the world’s highest mountains. I had hiking plans.
The long travels were made so much better by helpful locals: some people helped me translate my directions to the taxi drivers who only spoke Urdu, I slept at a host’s house and her family was charming and friendly, someone sent us to the bus stop in his car, and random strangers would help us find the best routes, the better restaurants, and even offered us free fruit from their farms.
The northern areas of Pakistan have been dubbed a dangerous place due to their proximity to possibly active terrorist grounds, but conversations with locals made me aware that the last Taliban attack occurred in 2010, almost a decade ago. Ever since, the government has taken extreme measures to ensure the region’s safety, hence the active presence of the military and police everywhere you go, checking in on foreigners constantly.
Almost a decade has passed since the last terrorist incident, yet unfortunately the association with such things continues to haunt this country, affecting tourism greatly. A local told us that once, north Pakistan was a thriving tourism spot with people from all over the world, but after the 9/11 attacks, the industry collapsed and locals were deprived of jobs and the economy was greatly impacted. No one wanted to come to north Pakistan anymore due to the impression created by the media that the country was plagued with terrorism.
In fact, what I was able to learn during my travels was that it is a country that has been unfairly stigmatised. I had the wonderful opportunity to stay at a small local village and my interactions with people there told me that despite differences in religious philosophies, most Pakistanis have lived together in peace for generations. Like other countries, they do have their internal turmoil and are constantly developing, but that isn’t to say that it is not a safe country.
GET OUT THERE
Pakistan is easily one of the most beautiful countries I have visited. The landscape, food, people, history and architecture are beyond what I had expected. To be honest, prior to going there I had not put a lot of expectations on the trip.
But the experiences I had over there have made me ponder how and where our information comes from. How biased is the news we read these days? What kind of influence does the media have in shaping or changing our mindset of a place, or social issue? How can we enhance our approach in getting information?
Travelling can be the best tool to help us make informed conclusions about a place. Going out and participating in society allows us to make personal observations and form solid opinions, not just those based on what we read on the Internet or publications with a political agenda. Being conscious about where our information comes from is important.
Visiting Pakistan has truly made me understand and appreciate the importance of having informed opinions, whether it pertains to a foreign country or an issue happening here in Malaysia.
Now, that is a lesson my mother is actually happy to have me learn.