SECTARIAN VIOLENCE AND ITS SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT ON TOURISM IN GILGIT-BALTISTAN

Abstract

The study was aimed to figure out the nature of sectarian violence, its impact on the regional level and tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan. The main purpose of the research was to determine the impact of sectarian violence on tourism which engender the socio-economic conditions in Gilgit Baltistan. It was based on the previous incidents, which occurs due to sectarianism. The researcher conducted in-depth and detail interviews and came to know that sectarian violence has put hazard effects on the social and economic wellbeing of the masses of Gilgit. Gilgit Baltistan was once famous for intersectoral religious harmony. People were leaving in a peaceful environment, the intersect violence were limited to the community or town level. Generally, these tensions were used to be resolved through the local Nambardars and the community leaders. Therefore, the study insights the sectarianism and its socio-economic impacts and its pits and falls. Another main objective of the study was the impact of sectarian violence on regional level and its origin from where it emerged. Ultimately the study investigated from 15 respondents who directly or indirectly experienced the consequences of sectarian violence in Gilgit Baltistan the division of respondents were based on the proportion (respondents from different sects and religious clerics. Research explored that the intensity /nature of sectarian violence tourism in Gilgit Baltistan, especially in Gilgit, comprise of triangulate violence’s. As Conflict theory argued in his theory that the conflict is always between two classes(Groups) bourgeoise (upper Class) and proliterate (lower class). The conducted research unrevealed that minimum respondents observed an unjust trouble during different incidents like chilas, Babusar and Kohistan. The research suggest that harmonious environment should be created by the government agencies and civil society of Gilgit Baltistan with cooperating religious clerics and Nambardars.