Further marginalizing the Pamir region is its political affiliation. During the country’s bloody civil war, Pamiris
stood on the opposite side of the conflict from the current political leadership in Dushanbe. President
Emomali Rahmon’s efforts to quash old political rivals has further fomented unrest, and armed conflict has
erupted in Khorog from time to time, causing deep concern among many ordinary citizens, who consider
themselves loyal Tajiks. 1
the river. Looking across, there were limited
signs of human activity, other than a few
men riding atop a donkey or on a motorbike,
and, occasionally, a woman riding along
with them, concealed beneath the black
cloth of her burqa. The numerous Tajik
army outposts we passed along the way were
another stark reminder of efforts to fight
the burgeoning narcotics trade and, more
recently, stamp out terrorist cells seeking
to operate across the border.
We also passed Chinese trucks headed
to the capital. Seeking to bolster trade across
the Central Asia region, China has become a
bigger player in Tajikistan, primarily through
trade and towards that end, supporting road
infrastructure. Reportedly, China has estab-
lished a military presence in the eastern part
of GBAO close to Afghanistan.
Back in Dushanbe, we met with Jan-
Peter Olters, the World Bank’s country
manager for Tajikistan. “Tajikistan is at a
critical juncture,” he told us. He explained
that while the country has seen significant
economic progress over the past decade,
it faces significant risks that could derail
that progress and put the country on
a far more unstable track. The country faces
a large youth bulge, and there are not enough
jobs to meet employment needs. Especially
in the remote region of GBAO where CAIT
works, limited economic and employment
opportunities among idle youth create risks,
particularly from neighboring Afghanistan.
“With very large, underserviced export
markets in the direct vicinity now being
accessible and attention paid to addressing
legacy challenges to the country’s business
climate, there is an important window of
opportunity to transition to more inclusive
economic growth,” Olters explained.
FALL 2019
Bibitaqdir, a Central Asia Institute
scholarship recipient.
Photo by Courtney Gerard
"Most of the young
people in Langar don’t
have jobs."
TAJIKISTAN PROGRAMS HELP
REALIZE OPPORTUNITIES
During my trip to GBAO, I was excited
to hear about CAIT’s plans to expand its
programs to provide greater economic
opportunities to the communities of GBAO.
This includes expanding scholarship
opportunities for promising students to
develop careers in areas such as education,
engineering, and small business ownership.
At CAIT’s office in Khorog, I met with some
of the impressive young women who are
receiving scholarships from CAIT.
Bibitaqdir, or “Bibi” for short, is a 21-year-
old woman from Langar in Ishkashim
District, about a four-hour drive from
Khorog. Several years ago, Bibi’s father
migrated to Russia to find work. There he
became quite ill, and since returning home,
has been unable to work. Bibi’s mother, who
is a nurse, was paying for Bibi’s brother
to go to school in Khorog but could not
afford to pay for Bibi’s tuition as well.
Then Bibi heard through her brother that
there was an organization in Khorog that was
granting scholarships. Bibi made the trek
from Langar to Khorog to visit CAIT’s offices,
where she met with Mahbuba Qurbonalieva,
CAIT’s director.
Years after that fateful meeting, Bibi is now
in her third year at Khorog State University
studying information technology. When she
graduates, she hopes to work for a while
and earn money so she can get her master’s
degree in computer science and ultimately
return to her village and teach computer
science to other young people.
“Most of the young people in Langar
don’t have jobs,” she told me. “They must
go to Russia if they want to find work.” She
recounted the story of a friend who, unable
to find work, went to Russia and is now
working as a house cleaner. “She calls me
and tells me how hard it is living in Russia.
She cries, and tells me how lucky I am to be
at home with my family and friends.” Her
face brightening, she added, “I’m so happy
my tuition is being paid by CAIT.”
I asked Bibi what she hopes for the future,
and she replied, “I want the opportunity to
get an education here and be able to stay
here. And to educate my own children.” l
Sources:
1
https://magazine.thediplomat.com/#/issues/-
LZIeZ4VbGS5IOz-0Zlr/read
2
According to the Georgetown Journal of International
Affairs, at least 15 to 20 tons of opium and between 75
and 80 metric tons of heroin are smuggled into
Tajikistan each year from Afghanistan, primarily
to meet demand in Russia and Europe. Drug transit
is estimated to equal 30 percent of Tajikistan’s GDP.
JOURNEY OF HOPE | 7