.. by Noor Shahidin

A few days ago, a meeting was held in Chitral town under the title “Tahaffuz-e-Riwayat” (Protection of Chitrali Traditions). I listened to most of the speakers. All of them were professionals in their respective fields, yet none was formally trained in the relevant academic discipline related to culture and society.

In our society, it is a common and sensible practice that when we face an economic issue, we consult an economist; for a legal issue, a lawyer; for a health issue, a doctor; and for a religious matter, a religious scholar. This division of intellectual labor is essential. It also explains why trolling or mocking speakers on social media is both unfair and counterproductive—no one should be expected to answer complex questions outside their field of expertise.

Cultural issues—such as social change, the impact of change, and the pace at which change occurs—are everyday topics of discussion on Chitral’s social media platforms. This is natural because the people living in the valley are Chitralis who largely speak one language, Khowar, yet differ significantly in their secular education, religious beliefs, modes of socialization, and worldviews. As a result, debates about culture and its relevance are inevitable and continuous.

In my view, there is a clear and constructive solution to this problem. Chitral has a university where social sciences are taught, including Sociology. A professor trained in sociology is far better equipped to analyze and explain current social and cultural issues in a scholarly and balanced manner. Moreover, the Vice Chancellor of the university himself is a sociologist.

Therefore, the elders and organizers of such events should have invited the Vice Chancellor or a senior faculty member from the relevant department as a speaker. In the social sciences, authority matters—not authority in the sense of power, but intellectual authority, which is earned through years of teaching, research, writing, and peer recognition.

I am not suggesting that others should be barred from speaking on sociological matters. However, at least one speaker with recognized academic authority in the field should be included. This would elevate the quality of discussion, reduce misunderstanding, and provide society with a more informed and credible perspective on its cultural challenges.  .. Noor Shahidin, 22 Dec 2025