Dependent development

A recent chat with a fellow Mirpuri about the enviable economic position of Mirpur compared to the rest of Pakistan got me thinking. On crossing the Dhan-Ghali bridge that separates Azad Kashmir from Pakistan proper, the only thing as breathtaking as the scenery and the tortuous route are the palatial residences. Some of these would not be out of character in Hollywood. Unlike Hollywood, however, they are not built with home-grown wealth but with pounds remitted from the UK. A large proportion Mirpuris have settled in the UK.

Mirpuris, Pakistanis will tell you, have collectively won the lottery. What strikes me, however, is that the development is entirely dependent on remittances. There is no indigenous industry or economic activity worth the name. The only significant activity that takes place serves the pound economy. Brick works, for example, have thrived because of demand from British Mirpuris who return to build houses. Remittances have played no role in creating local industries to supply Pakistani markets. There is no self reliant, local wealth generating activity. Neither is there any robust infrastructure. The roads are dilapidated, schools decaying and electricity supply unreliable.

Will the district be able to rely on British Mirpuris forever? Most of those who return now were born in Mirpur or spent a large part of their early years there. However, will those born and bred in the UK have the same sense of attachment when they reach retirement? The construction boom shows no sign of abating yet. If anything, talk of raising the Mangla Dam- which will displace thousands of people- has provided a further impetus for the construction industry and land prices. However, in the longer term, it is not unreasonable to assume that links will become more tenuous. After all, many of these magnificent buildings lie empty.

(On the off chance that a Mirpuri is reading this, any comments would be most welcome).