CHITRAL: The Kalash people on Tuesday lamented their “identity crisis” and complained their computerised national identity cards didn’t show their religion.

During a consultative meeting organised by the Ishpata News Network Pakistan here, Kalash elders Luke Rehmat, Baras Khan, Sherzada, Michel, Zarmast Gul and Unat Beg complained that their community faced several issues as the CNICs had no mention of their religion.

They said the situation had blown to a “full-fledged identity crisis” for the Kalash community, which was known worldwide for its unique and primitive ways of life and culture.

The elders said the Kalash were socially well-protected and never faced any threat from the Muslim community and that the government provided them with the best possible protection from any kind of aggression.

They, however, complained that the identity crisis was becoming an issue for the Kalash as they’re no longer confined to their valleys and had become part of the national mainstream.

The elders said the Kalash community had long been striving for the resolution of the issue by authorities, but to no avail.

Civil society members and government officials including Mukhtar Azam Khan, Ayaz Zareen and others endorsed the views of Kalash elders and said that sometimes, the nonappearance of Kalash religion in the national documents deprived the community of many concessions and privileges.

They said that the Kalash were the indigenous people of Chitral, who were preserving a unique culture, which attracted tourists and researchers from across the world, including Europe, Americas and Australia.

The elders said the Kalash community provided an identity to Chitral and the country as well.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2023