Surviving in Punjab's Poorest City: Dera Ghazi Khan, and why Lahore and Dera Ghazi Khan cannot be in the same province or at least under single administration.
This article is written by Muhammed Wasif Jalal, He is an Urban Planner and he is passionate about cities for people.
Dera Ghazi Khan is known to be one of the most impoverished regions in the country, with the city itself being one of the most destitute. This is reflected in the area's consistently low Human Development Index (HDI) score, indicating poor access to basic necessities and public services. In addition, the region has a reputation for being lawless and dangerous, with crime rates that are higher than in other areas of the country.
Despite these challenges, the people of Dera Ghazi Khan are known for their resilience and their warm hospitality. The majority of the population speaks Siraiki, and they are quick to offer a smile or a helping hand to anyone in need. However, behind these friendly faces often lie stories of horror, that we living in more developed cities are alien to.
Dera Gazi Khan is a unique city that borders all of Pakistan's provinces. However, despite its strategic location, the city faces many challenges, with a near-negligible proportion of middle-class residents. Instead, the city is divided into two distinct social classes - the incredibly wealthy and the dirt poor. It is not uncommon to see expensive vehicles like Hilux and Land cruisers alongside cheaper models like Qinqi and nothing in between, you either live like a king or like a slave.
Here you can see a small bike showroom in a mixed use building, and traveling by bike is the only affordable transportation option available in the city.
Talking to the locals reveals how the majority of the poor live in fear. It was quite shocking and unbelievable how much fear ruled in the city with the phrase "hamaray baray bura manay gai" frequently used. This fear is something that is not commonly experienced in bigger cities like Lahore. You get either of two reactions, frustration if the person sees you as an equal, or rosy praise if the person sees you as superior. One interesting finding was that women in Dera Ghazi Khan also dine at dhabas, there's purdah there, but this is not really seen in Lahore.
Dera Ghazi Khan is a diverse city, with many different ethnic and linguistic groups living together. Despite this diversity, peace in the city is maintained through a delicate balance between the groups, who must share limited resources. It is not uncommon to come across people who only understand the Siraiki language, with Urdu and Punjabi being less commonly spoken, many people cannot even speak Punjabi let alone Urdu or English.
One of the city's most significant problems is its sewerage and drainage network, which is in a worse state than the systems developed by the people of the Indus Valley Civilization. Stagnant sewage in the streets is a major problem in the city, and it is not uncommon to come across areas that are almost uninhabitable due to the smell. Street after street has the same problem, one single rain will have sewerage flowing in homes. Living in filth might make you immune to it, being powerless and not being able to do anything to change, you get used to it. Recently launched Dera Ghazi Khan Waste Management Company is working hard. It reminded me of the Punjabi joke, when a girl of a different caste gets married to Gujars (known to rear cattle), she goes there, gets acclimated to the smell of manure and declares that the stench went away when I came to the village.
The condition of streets can clearly be seen everywhere in the city and if not dealt well, the rate of sickness will remain high and health cost will be high for the government as well.
Another absurdity is the price of land in Dera Ghazi Khan, it is absurdly inflated, with prices often higher than those in Lahore for equivalent areas. The reason for this is the practice of speculation, where people buy land with the hope of selling it at a profit in the future. This has created a housing bubble, making homes unaffordable for many people. This is driven by family members sending remittances from the Gulf, North America, Europe etc.
The city is dominated by the 'Baray' or 'Wadera', who control both the wealth of the people and their minds. An example of this is the absurd number of mosques built in city maidans. There are often four or five mosques right next to each other, you'll be forgiven to assume that all these must be belonging to the different sect, but no they are almost the same sect. Same sect 4 or 5 mosques clustered in maidan at blocks area of the city. There are 50 blocks and each block has multiple maidan, such a large supply of mosques does not seem demographically justified. The reason for this is either locals competing for prestige or being asked to build more mosques on the same site. The number of schools in the city is shockingly low, with far fewer than the demographics demand. This demand is met by small private academies opening up on one street or another.
In some parts of town, young adult Baloch can be intimidating to outsiders, with the phrase "hum Baloch hain" being used to threaten surveyors, refusing them entry by brandishing AKs. The Shia Baloch community, in particular, has very welcoming and warm elders, but equally intimidating and unwelcoming young adults.
The administration is too weak to collect taxes from the single commercial center of the city. This lack of revenue means that the city generates very little income, relying instead on the province to sustain itself. The state is too weak to maintain writ, it fails to establish proper law and order. During Buzdar's time, nothing changed, the only thing that was changed was the introduction of Dolphin Police Service which could manoeuvre tight streets and control crime. Interestingly, service vehicles like garbage trucks, fire trucks, ambulances were seen with Multan and Lahore number plates. People complained more about absence of medicines, lack of schools and had general frustration with the government due to inflation.
From a place where waderay and baray see themselves simply superior and actually do not see all people as equals, Sardars take incharge of the entire province of Punjab of 120 million people. For some it's a politically sound choice but for millions it's nothing less than a cruel joke.
Due to the significant social and economic differences between Lahore and Dera Ghazi Khan, it is politically unwise for them to remain under a single administration. Instead, power should be devolved, if a separate province is too much to ask for, then at least devolve power to local governments, as the people of Dera Ghazi Khan have different needs and priorities than those of Lahore. Also make a note that the population of the city of Lahore grows by one Dera Ghazi Khan every year. And some parts of Lahore are objectively worse than Dera Ghazi Khan. It is unfair for both sets of people to be centrally governed under a single administration, government or province. It is important to ensure that every region's unique requirements are met to ensure sustainable development and progress.
In conclusion, exploring Dera Ghazi Khan reveals a city caught in a paradox of poverty and resilience, fear and warmth. Despite its challenges, it is important to recognize the potential for change and growth within this community. Reclaiming public spaces and engaging in placemaking initiatives can be crucial steps toward transforming the city's social fabric.
By reclaiming public spaces, the residents of Dera Ghazi Khan can create vibrant gathering places that foster a sense of community. This involves transforming neglected areas into inviting parks, cultural centers, or markets where people can come together, share stories, and celebrate their shared heritage. Creating safe and inclusive public spaces encourages social interaction, which can help bridge the gaps between different social classes and ethnic groups.
Placemaking initiatives can revitalize neighbourhoods and empower local residents to take ownership of their surroundings. By involving the community in the process of shaping their city, a sense of pride and responsibility is fostered. This can lead to a collective effort to address the city's challenges, such as improving infrastructure, waste management systems, and access to education and healthcare.
Moreover, placemaking can bring economic benefits to Dera Ghazi Khan by attracting tourism and investment. By highlighting the unique cultural heritage and untapped potential of the city, new opportunities can emerge for entrepreneurship, job creation, and sustainable development.
Ultimately, the journey of discovery in Dera Ghazi Khan goes beyond mere observation. It requires active participation, understanding, and collaboration with the local community. By working together to reclaim public spaces and engage in placemaking, we can contribute to the transformation of this city, creating a more inclusive, prosperous, and vibrant environment for all its residents. So if you are willing to take lead, contact us, we are here to help and give consultation.
Ending today with sharing one news which is a great thing to see from development perspective:
