Readers' Forum
Perils in Pakistan
It’s sad, is it not, that despite real problems facing our community worldwide, our leaders (elected or not so) continue bickering? I refer to the current situation in Pakistan, and the potential perils that may befall our co-religionists there. I am friendly with a handful of Karachi Parsis here who, via contacts back home, have made me aware of the possible threats to the 2,000 or so Parsis in Pakistan, located mainly in Karachi.
First, on the positive side, the Parsis there are too few to be seen as a threat, and many Pakistanis have not even heard of them. Also, the Parsis in Karachi are very wealthy, and being few in number are never homeless. Unlike Bombay Parsis, they have never resorted to begging. On the whole they go about life happily.
On the downside, due to continual emigration to the West, many old Parsis are left to fend for themselves and when they pass away their houses remain unoccupied with the result that in certain areas (e.g. Parsi Colony), non-Parsis have moved in. Parents wishing to join their offspring abroad are forced to sell their homes to non-Parsis, as there is no market amongst Parsis. As yet there has been no forced occupation of a Parsi home, but with a rapidly expanding Karachi who is to say that such a thing will never happen? What if an extremist party ever gains control? Is it possible that they will forcibly take over unoccupied properties?
The anjumans there (and the local Parsis) are awash with money, mainly though in property in prime areas of the city, which can in an emergency be liquidated. My question is, should push come to shove, if these Parsis require sanctuary, would Indian Zoroastrians welcome them? Of course it is presumed that they will bring with them substantial cash assets. Also, there are a few influential Karachi Parsis who would doubtless negotiate with both sets of governments and with the Bombay anjumans, etc for safe passage. I stress, the above scenario is hypothetical, but have any contingency plans been made to ensure a smooth transition? Do Bombay anjumans liaise with their Karachi counterparts?
This I believe to be the most important single issue currently concerning Parsis. Pray God it never happens, but they are our brothers and sisters and we should be prepared to stand up and be counted. Am I being unduly alarmist? Could this be the single biggest issue facing Parsis, if not now, then in the future?
ADIL SETHNA
Wembly, UK
First, on the positive side, the Parsis there are too few to be seen as a threat, and many Pakistanis have not even heard of them. Also, the Parsis in Karachi are very wealthy, and being few in number are never homeless. Unlike Bombay Parsis, they have never resorted to begging. On the whole they go about life happily.
On the downside, due to continual emigration to the West, many old Parsis are left to fend for themselves and when they pass away their houses remain unoccupied with the result that in certain areas (e.g. Parsi Colony), non-Parsis have moved in. Parents wishing to join their offspring abroad are forced to sell their homes to non-Parsis, as there is no market amongst Parsis. As yet there has been no forced occupation of a Parsi home, but with a rapidly expanding Karachi who is to say that such a thing will never happen? What if an extremist party ever gains control? Is it possible that they will forcibly take over unoccupied properties?
The anjumans there (and the local Parsis) are awash with money, mainly though in property in prime areas of the city, which can in an emergency be liquidated. My question is, should push come to shove, if these Parsis require sanctuary, would Indian Zoroastrians welcome them? Of course it is presumed that they will bring with them substantial cash assets. Also, there are a few influential Karachi Parsis who would doubtless negotiate with both sets of governments and with the Bombay anjumans, etc for safe passage. I stress, the above scenario is hypothetical, but have any contingency plans been made to ensure a smooth transition? Do Bombay anjumans liaise with their Karachi counterparts?
This I believe to be the most important single issue currently concerning Parsis. Pray God it never happens, but they are our brothers and sisters and we should be prepared to stand up and be counted. Am I being unduly alarmist? Could this be the single biggest issue facing Parsis, if not now, then in the future?
ADIL SETHNA
Wembly, UK
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