The Secrets of Dera Ghazi Khan: Why foreigners are not allowed in this Pakistani city
Did you know that the road to Dera Ghazi Khan was once considered to be the toughest path in the whole country? The only reason why this city was given this name is because of the sheer number of battles fought here throughout history. Although foreigners are not allowed in this city, there are some famous things about DG Khan that make it one of the most interesting places in Pakistan! Let’s take a look at how and why foreigners are not allowed in DG Khan!
What is the reputation of Dera Ghazi Khan (DGK)?
Dera Ghazi Khan, a large city in the Punjab province, is famous for its market, known as one of the largest markets and religious centers of Asia. It has been frequently threatened by terrorism and extremism because it is a central region for many extremist groups such as Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. Who is the current Commissioner of D.G. Khan? Ansar Asghar, one of our affiliates, is currently holding the title!
Who is current commissioner of DGK? Who is Asghar Ansar? Being an ex-military officer, Asghar Ansar was appointed as a military administrator DGK on October 1, 2017. As he belongs to an army family, his father retired from Pakistan Army while his brother and brother-in-law were martyred during a suicide attack. He was born and raised in DGK. He has a degree of Bachelor’s degree with honors from Military College Jhelum (present KSK NEWS BY MR USMAN) and Master’s degree with honors from Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad (present National University).
How long is his tenure?
How did it become so strict?
When Sheikh Rasheed was commissioner, the city became stricter. He made it a point to maintain law and order by barring outsiders from entering the area. Even though Sheikh Rasheed has left, there is no chance that he relaxed restrictions on visitors. The only people who are given permission to enter the area are high ranking officials who need to pass through it due to their positions and those who have family or business interests here.
Rasheed’s son Rashid confirmed that his father had a major role to play in enforcing restrictions on foreign visitors and maintaining law and order. He said that all four members of his family never received permission to visit DG Khan for any personal purpose. He also claimed that no friend, relative or even an employee was given permission to enter into that area. Even though Sheikh Rasheed has left, there is no chance that he relaxed restrictions on visitors because he did not want bad things to occur.
Who is responsible for enforcing these rules in DGK?
Dera Ghazi Khan is a diverse, religious and ancient city. That's because it has been populated for thousands of years, according to archeological evidence. With that kind of history, Dera Ghazi Khan's cultural traditions come from all over the world including India and Central Asia. What about foreigners? And what's with the ban on foreigners in DGK?
In many ways, DGK is like any other provincial capital. The city has a population that numbers more than one million people and they have an elected commissioner who manages their day-to-day operations. But there's another very important figure in charge who isn't elected but rather appointed by Chief Minister Punjab. That man is Colonel (retired) Tahir Zafar Abbasi and he's responsible for issuing orders to ban foreigners from entering DGK or parts of it. The full details about why that rule exists aren't clear, but Col. Abbasi recently explained his decision to ban foreign nationals from staying overnight at a hotel on Twitter and his reasoning doesn't sound too convincing.
How can you get a license to go there?
Foreigners need permission from the Commissioner Office of DG Khan to visit or stay overnight. These permissions, known as No Objection Certificates, must be obtained at least seven days prior to arrival and will be subject to a fee determined by the Inspector General. With such tight security, it is likely that there is something happening that we cannot see! We can only speculate what might be hiding behind the doors.
Who is really behind these extremely strict and invasive security measures? DG Khan has a very rich history, given that it is located at a crossroads between central Punjab and South Punjab. It was strategically significant for attacking invaders during Medieval times, as evidenced by its many historic sites, including Khairabad Fort. In more recent history, it became a major centre for industry after 1947 when migrants from India settled there. Today there is one of Pakistan’s largest steel mills, known as Heavy Mechanical Complex (HMC), which generates about 18% of Pakistan’s total steel production. A lot has happened since 1947! How do you think all these events have shaped DG Khan today?
How do locals make money from tourists if they aren’t allowed in the city limits?
It is important to know that locals make money by renting out camels to visitors, taxi rides, and supplying travellers with maps. It may seem as if the people who live in DG Khan have no interest in what is happening outside their walls, but they do go outside. Locals also go out of the city limits for work purposes or to visit family members. But what about visiting other towns or cities? How does one navigate the deserts without a map?
DG Khan lies on the west side of Sindh Province which borders Balochistan Province on its west side; it shares borders with Baluchi Tribal Areas on its northwest side, while the Punjab and Rajasthan regions lie on its north and northeast respectively.
On its southern side, it is bordered by Districts Tharparkar and Umer kot, while on its eastern side lies Jampur Tehseel. One can imagine that given its location in such close proximity to these areas; DG Khan has been a hub for people and cultures from all over Pakistan. Given that it was a prominent stop on many caravans traveling westward, it was inevitable that other ethnicities would trickle into town. The local culture we see today is a result of a fusion between Mughal elements and various other cultures including those who arrived with their camels, pack animals, cars (or lack thereof), rickshaws and carts.
Is there hope for international travelers who want to visit Pakistan but have been deterred by the restrictions on foreigners in DGK?
There is hope. Pakistan has opened up and restrictions on foreigners visiting DGK have loosened over the last few years. New visa regulations make it easier for tourists to get into the country, so now you can spend a few days here, get a taste of the culture and see what Pakistan is all about - without worrying about getting your passport stamped. There's still no word on if there will be restrictions put in place for Americans who want to visit Pakistan but that seems like a pretty unlikely event given the circumstances. After all, it's one thing to impose travel restrictions when relations are tense, it's another thing altogether when there's an American president who speaks fluent Urdu.
