Gorno-Badakhshan Separatism Concerns
The biggest region in Tajikistan which constitutes almost half of the territory of the country has an opportunity to enjoy more autonomy in the near future, but some experts raise concerns about separatism(IWPR article).
A new law defining the status of the Gorno-Badakhshan autonomous region, GBAR, which covers the whole western half of Tajikistan, will expand its economic powers but could give rise to separatism, observers suggest.
The concerns of the experts who do not know the region are understandable because this region always seemed to be apart from the rest of Tajikistan, mostly because of the massive mountains. Besides the geographical factor there is also a cultural factor which makes the Pamir region look separate from other territories of the country.
Although officially seen as Tajiks, most of its 213,000 residents are Ismailis, followers of a branch of Shia Islam, who speak Pamir languages.
Even though the official status of Gorno-Badakhshan is an autonomous region since its establishment in 1925, it never enjoyed the right of making independent development decisions, as many can think of it. As far as I know there are two types of autonomous regions: administrative and unitary. The administrative autonomous regions have more rights to make independent decisions which do not contradict the constitution of the country and the unitary autonomous regions have less autonomy from the center. Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region enjoys the unitary autonomy.
The draft law proposes to grant the region the right to create its own border trade zones and ensure the development of Pamir languages.
I think that the concerns of the experts about separatism are very much exaggerated. If the term “autonomy”, which is related to Gorno-Badakhshan these days, will encompass two more rights (creation of border trade zones and ensuring the development of the local languages), it will not be harmful for the integrity of the state.
on February 15th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
The worrying trend however is that Pamiris outside Tajikistan claim that they are from a country called “Badakhshan” and that they are not Tajiks. I do not know whether this tendency to separate themselves is cultural and has been inherent or it is something stimulated from the outside, but it definitely cannot be beneficial for either ethnic groups. Tajikistan as never before needs unity to survive and not to disintegrate.
Ethnically and culturally Pamiris have never been a part of mainstream Tajik culture. However, they speak Tajik as well as their native tongue, they are well-integrated into the society. Pamiris hold high government positions (the newly appointed Tajik ambassador to the US is a Pamiri).
So apart from purely cultural/religious aspects (which in time will be overcome as Tajiks become more open minded) Pamiris are for all intends and purposes Tajiks and should be recognized as such.
Giving them more autonomy does not pose any threats to the integrity of the country as long as they do not decide to create a new country.
PS: BTW GBAR is located in the eastern part of Tajikistan
someone is reading his map wrong… 
on February 16th, 2007 at 12:41 am
Who cares?! Let them separate. It is not like we have any control over the region right now anyways. It will not make any difference to the average folks whether Pamir is independent or not.
on February 16th, 2007 at 4:42 am
Tajik boy, you’re right about the wrong reading of the map. It’s not my mistake, I copied this paragraph from the article, and to be honest did not pay attention to it.
on February 16th, 2007 at 6:16 am
There is no concern over separatism of the Badakhshan at all. It is no more than a myth, intentionally created by this writer. If there were any such idea, the very Badakhshani people themselves would cope with it. In fact the idea of separatism might be shared by a very marginalised groups, not the masses.
Firstly, the Badakhshan can never get separated from Tajikistan because of its own ethnic and linguistic structure. There are five to six linguistic groups, such as Rushani, Yazghulami, Shoghnani, Vakhani etc, who in case of independence will fight with each other and separatism really causes security concerns among the Badakhshani themselves. Therefore, no one allows it from within.
Secondly, imagine that if they get independent, there will be borders and customs and checkpoints as between two independent nations, it will damage and harm the people of Badakhshan as never before. No Badakhshani allow it.
Thirdly, large number of Badakhshanis during the Soviet period moved to Dushanbe and other parts of Tajikistan and intermingled and intermarried with Tajiks, despite sectarian differences. This part of Badakhshani population, who mainly constitute intellectuals, is more active and has more power to decide about the fate of Badakhshan than the masses in the region. Many also were migrated to southern Khatlon region. Their numbers is also significant.
Forthly, if Badakhshan separates, what will they do alone, will they join any other country? No, They will not definitely join China or Kyrgyzstan, because they share no cultural and ethnic background with this two nations, They will not join Afghanistan, because the people of Tajikistan’s Badakhshan are far more secular than Afghanis and they really enjoyed secularism during the Soviet time, they themselves will not allow this. They will not join Pakistan or India, remaining in Tajikistan is the best choice for them. They have always enjoyed and now also enjoy their rights, they are not persecuted, presured or oppressed in this country, like for example, tajiks and Tajik-speakings in Uzbekistan. They gain high positions in Tajikistan, this country and its people have always been democratic and open-minded, they never oppressed ethnic or linguistic minorities. The major thing is economic advancement, that now Pamiris enjoy, althogh with the help of Agha Khan, they are more advance than any other people in Tajikistan. Badakhshanis have historically been part of large group of Iranian nation, throughout Central asia and Middle East. They always felt comfortable living together with other Iranian ethnic groups, mainly Sogdians, Khwarezmians, Bactrians, Persians etc…
If there were concerns over separatism of badakhshan it would have been during teh Civil War in Tajikistan, but in this the most difficult time, they did not separate or did not even talked about separatism. Now Tajikistan is more developed both economically and politically, roads are constructed, which link north and southern Tajikistan, as well as Central Tajikistan with Badakhshan.
Right now, there is no separatis concern, neither within or outside Badakhshan. In fact Tajikistan is becoming more consolidated and unified as never before. Raising such issues here has no sense, but might be a political agenda of someone. There more important issues in Tajikistan, including in Badakhshan, to be addressed than this one.
Instead of raising such nonsensical issues, the very IWPR or OSCE should include Pamiris in the list of minorities of Tajikistan and help them preserve their culture and languages. Some time before OSCE had a special program to support minorities in Tajikistan, but they only helped Uzbek and Russian minorities who are economically and politically advanced, never been marginalised. When some Pamiri NGO’s approached them to help, they rejected by saying that you are Tajiks and you are not minority. In fact Pamiris should be considered both linguistic and religious minorities as they follow Ismaeli branch of Islam, something the international organization keep blind eye on it.
Bests,
Faramarz
on February 16th, 2007 at 6:45 am
Faramarz, I should point out that there were some seperatist intentions right after the collapse of the Soviet Union among the small group of people but the majority of the population rejected the idea. In terms of security they understand, no, they realize that it is impossible to be seperate from the rest of Tajikistan.
Also, I don’t think that in economic terms the Pamiris are more advanced than others in Tajikistan.
on February 16th, 2007 at 6:49 am
I would like somehow to corect the note said by tajik boy that newly appointed Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of RT to US is from pamiri region.According to the decree of our President newly appointed Ambassador to US is Shirinov A- who is form Khatlon region
on February 16th, 2007 at 10:22 am
Faramarz,
I agree that there is no sense for Pamiris to separate. For one thing the vast area they will inherit will consist of nothing but mountains. As far as I know, thre is no infrastructure of civilization outside Khorog.
Plus it is not possible from the practical point of view. With only a handful of people residing in this vast mountanous region (213 thousand or so as opposed to north of 5 million Tajiks) the idea of a separate state sounds ridiculous to say the least. They won’t have resources, they won’t have people and they won’t have infrastructure to become a functioning state.
I don’t think Pamiris should be considered a minority group. It really contradicts with your earlier statement saying that Tajiks and Pamiris share the same cultural background, etc. For me they are Tajiks. We all have differences in customs and what not. Kulyabis are different from Gharmis who are different from Khojandis. However, that does not make us pursue a recognition as a separate ethnic group. Pamiris are an integral part of Tajik society and should be recognized as such.
I fully agree with OSCE’s resolution. Giving a minority status for Pamiris in Tajikistan is like recognizing Lakai polulation in Uzbekistan a minority.
PS: the tone in your post presumes that Pamiris are far more secular than Tajiks. This is a generalization that is FAR from accurate. The fact that pamiris enjoy some kind of economic support from Agha Khan does not necessarily make them more democratic or more open-minded
on February 16th, 2007 at 10:31 am
Surush,
The fact this guy is from Khatlon region does not make him non-Pamiri. In fact ethnically he could be anyone and still be from Khatlon region. From what I heard he is an ethnic Pamiri
on February 16th, 2007 at 10:53 am
I agree with Faramarz that the issue of GBAO separatism is largely inflated by the media. I was actually surprised to read that IWPR article.
Vadim is also right that there were some groups and individuals advocating independence for the GBAO adn the creation of ‘ Greater Badakhshan’ around 1993-95. But that was quite common in those years where everyone, from Transnistria to Kamchatka, wanted to be ‘independent’ of create a ‘Greater Whatever’. IMO, that nationalist hype is over now or, at least, marginalised.
I have visited the GBAO four times between 1999 and 2005 adn I was also twice in Ismaili areas of Pakistan (Gilgit-Hunza). The unique thing about the Ismaili is that, pretty much like the second and third generation Muslim migrants in the West, they form a prime example of ‘deterritorialised Islam’. There is no such thing as an ‘Ismaili homeland’. It’s a diaspora (Central Asia; the UK and Canada; Mumbai and Gujarat) with the Ismaili faith and the Imamate (the Aga Khan that is) as common bonds.
This being said, there are certain form of unease in the GBAO/regarding Ismaili in Tajikistan. One is the presence in the GBAO of cadres from Kulyab, especially in the MVD, the KNB and the Border Guards, who are disliked by local people. Regionalism plays its role of course, but much also depends on the individual behavior of this or that nachalnik.
Also, the Ismaili have a very strong vehicle for social development and advancement and that is the Aga Khan Development Network whihc does not only does development and aid work but also groups a number of commercial companies like the Indigo mobile network and the First Micro-Finance Bank. Basically, the AKDN — not the state– has funded and built most of the new infrastrcuture in the GBAO: mini-GES, bridges of the Tajik-Afghan border, schools and a university, etc…
Because of the presence of many intelligentsia and foreign language speakers among the Ismaili — a legacy from the Soviet era, then taken over by the AKDN — a disproportional %-age of staff of foreign aid agencies are of Ismaili orgin. I noticed that this created a certain level of resentment among the population.
on February 16th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
To be honest, it would be great if Pamir really got separated, because at the moment, it is definitely a secondary region and issue on the agenda of the central government. The roads in Khorog, the center of GBAO are desperately in need of reconstruction, not to mention that Tajik Air sends one small and old AN 28 plane to Khorog daily even if there are more passengers. To add to that, many other reforms have been carried out de facto by NGOs and local organizations. Lastly, this current Energy issue, which should basically be perceived as a national disaster; is again dealt with by the Aga Khan Foundation and its affiliated networks who seem to be more concerned with it than Dushanbe. It seems to me, that all this deliberate ignorance from the central government implies that GBAO is being intentionally separated, but not vice versa.
on February 17th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
Habiba,
I don’t know how your issues can be solved by separation… running a government is easier said than done. Separating a country based on the fact that not enough planes fly to that region sounds a bit immature…
on February 18th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Planes and roads are exactly the everyday examples on how Pamir is secondary in the perception of Tajikistan. Everything is percieved in a comparison and while all other regions are treated equally except for the GBAO by the central government, and starting from such small yet socio-politically important aspects, one can see the centre-periphery relations. If you think that an ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking and drawing attention to such seemingly insignificant examples is immature, what can I say, except at point out at your narrow mindedness.
on February 19th, 2007 at 7:05 am
Dear guest,
Please, NO OFFENCE.
on February 19th, 2007 at 8:11 am
To Habiba,
If sending an old plane to Badakshhan or any other region can be a criterion for independence, then all districts of tajikistan should get independence from Dushanbe. We have similar situation with Zarafshan valley, roads are terrible there, even in Kulab and Khojand roads need repair. Problems in Badakhshan are shared by all people of Tajikistan, really. We nee just to strengthen the national independece, because we traditionally depended on Russia and Uzbekistan. Today projects like Anzab tunnel or road to China through Pamir help strengthen the national independece.
on February 19th, 2007 at 8:20 am
Dear Tajik boy,
Pamiris are not ethnic minority, but lingustic minority definitely. Their languages are not Persian (Tajik) and they are not dialects, but independent languages. Laqai must be an Uzbek dialect.
Minority cannot be ethnic alone. Badakhshanis are also sectarian minority, that’s their Islamic sect (Esmaili) is different from Sunni.
on March 27th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
Hi everybody,
I am from Khorog, Badakhshan. and please do not generalise ok? I used to work in Khujand, Garm, Kulyab and Badakhshan. I always call myself Pamiri Tajik. Sometimes I call myself persian. Among other nationalities I always talk on behalf of Tajikistan, and I am very proud that I am from Tajikistan.
Other tajiks from Khujand and Kulyab and Dushanbe always made fun of my tajik language, and was imitating pamir people, many think that pamir people are not muslim.
So my position always was to be moral and I can tolerate this kind of situation. I am not going to say that tajiks from other parts are bad, No I have so many great friends in other parts of Tajikistan.
and I hope soon everybody will recognize it too.
Good luck,
on April 29th, 2007 at 11:38 pm
Habiba…To separate a country which is already had a civil war is like pouring salt onto a wet wound. Every pamiri is a tajik and will always stay so. We all speak different variants of the same MIDDLE persian and so our origins are the same. Saying that Pamiris may become separate for a reason as simple as roads or transportations is like discriminating against them. I think our cultural heritage is much more important than this. We have to learn to hold on to this. Such problems exist everywhere in Tajikistan and we will overcome this in future. So please - just for the sake of pamiri-tajiks, think twice before starting your phrase by saying “it would actually be great”; don’t get me wrong, i respect your convictions, but i don’t accept them, and niether the majority of people reading this online. All i can think of was…As if enough land wasn’t given as a “gift” to China; btw can anyone please discuss this matter; i don’t know much about it, but i would love to know more.
on May 1st, 2007 at 12:26 pm
listen badakhshan is a region : i mean that the tajik part and the afghan part forms one region. in 1873 according to the anglo russian treaty the badakhshan region as a whole was aknowledged well in the document treaty that it belonged to the amir of kabul.so the gorno badakhshan as an autonomous region also should belong to afghanistan also legally according to the document. just as the autonomous FATA region in pakistan belongs to afghanistan same is the case with it. no way it belongs to tajiks or china or kirghyiz it belongs only to afghanistan
on May 1st, 2007 at 12:29 pm
and any bosy who says that the pamirs are tajiks and is ethnically related to the rest of tajiks is a big fool lolz
no way man go and take a life they as a whole are an ethnic group of a nation called afghan
and so must be back with afghanistan
it is the right of afghanistan that gorno badakhshan be given back to them just as FATA in pakistan belongs to afghanistan
on May 1st, 2007 at 12:30 pm
THE COMMENT IS MODERATED
on May 1st, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Kansi Afghan,
I don’t think that the people of Gorno-Badakhshan will support the idea of joining Afghanistan.
on May 4th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
I totally agree with Vadim, Tajikistan is in no great economic and political situation, but the pamiris won’t agree to join Afghanistan niether; Kansi Afghan, i think that the afghan people already have enough problems to deal with. You think that Samarghand and Bukhara are uzbek cities?
on May 5th, 2007 at 4:27 am
Vizhejoon,
Samarkand and Bukhara are the territories of Uzbekistan. There is no doubt. No matter what the Tajiks outside Uzbekistan think about this issue, these two cities no longer belong to Tajiks and probably one can argue that they never belonged to. The people of these two cities and some other territories made their historical choice. In this case I also think that they will not be happy to be part of Tajikistan and there is no reason for them to do that.
on May 5th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Vadim - all i can say to you is - ha-ha. You may be able to tell me straight in the face that i’m wrong, but you CANNOT contradict the facts of history. You answered me yourself - are “no longer” and ” PROBABLY one can argue that they never were” You said it. Probably. But i will argue.
“The people of these two cities and some other territories made their historical choice.”
You gave me the laugh of my day. And so you are trying to tell me that the corrupt APPARATCHIKS who unfairly gave these two cities to the uzbek territory are considered as the “The people of these two cities and some other territories”. Aha, was I there? Were all the tajiks there when this choice was made? Were all the bukharais and samarqandis there? Did they make a vote? Were they ASKED which country they wanted to join?
If they “are no longer” tajik territories and ” probably never have been” can you please tell me why they speak tajik? Can you please answer me why persian heritage is more obvious in the language and physical features than “turkic-uzbek” heritage???
And for your information - Although Tajikistan is not in a very good political and economic situation, niether is Uzbekistan. And the samarqandis and bukharais will be more than happy to be have the nationality of an identity they belong to. That is - the tajik (persian) one, an not the uzbek (turkic).
As if russification was not enough for these people, they have to undergo “uzbekification” or “pan-turkism” as well.
on May 7th, 2007 at 5:58 am
Well Vizhejoon I’m glad that I made you laugh. Actually it is a complicated topic and it would be great if you write a post about it and then we can discuss it. This post is about Separatism concerns in Gorno-Badakhshan and Samarkand-Bukhara issue has no relation to this topic.
on May 19th, 2007 at 1:21 am
He everybody
Very interesting article I see. What the hell are you guys talking about I am Tajik girl who is from Pamir therefore in Tajikistan I’ll be considered as Tajik from Pamir but outside I am Tajik so shut your freaking mouths up. We are all one nation so what if we have different language or religion. Our government is Democratic therefore we have the freedom of religion. I am sick and tired off everyone who thinks of Pamir ppl as none Tajiks especially after Civil War. I mean you guys are the one who criticize us make fun of our Pamiris the one’s who have accent which is not their fault the language that they have naturally makes them to speak Tajik with accent. We are living in 21 century we should talk about the prosperity of our Tajikistan but not argue about separation of the regions that’s so STUPED. God that’s even not possible
on May 19th, 2007 at 6:55 am
Well Guljonak,
No one is making fun of the Pamiris. People have different opinions and in your turn you can do nothing but express your opinion. Please, don’t be angry because its just a discussion.