Nationalist Movements in Sindh and Question of Provincial Autonomy

Mirnority Rights Commission (MRC) organized a seminar on Nationalist Movement in Sindh and Question of Provincial Autonomy on July 3rd 2007 in Hyderabad. A large number of civil society organizations, political parties and media related groups, students, elected representatives, intellectuals and writers attended the forum. The forum was conducted in two sessions: first one was technical and the second political session. Mr. Zulfiqar Shah (Provincial Coordinator South Asia Partnership Sindh), Mr. Ghulam Mustafa Baloch (Reginal Head Strengthening Participatory Organization SPO Hyderabad) and Mr. Hassan Raza Bukhari (Coordinator MRC) facilitate these sessions.

First Session (Technical Session)

Mr. Zulfiqar Shah (Provincial Coordinator South Asia Partnership Sindh)

First session was started by Zulfiqar Ali Shah. After a formal welcome note to the participants, he briefed regading the background of and philosophy of provincial autonomy. He shared that Sindh was rich civilized as compared to other provinces. It was economically and socially sound state befor the partition of subcontinent. Sindh assembly was the first to pass a resolution in favor of Pakistan. But now Sindh province is suffering from illiteracy, unemployment, law and order situation, political disorder and many others social and economic problems. Now the question arise that why is this happening with the little provinces like Sindh and Balochistan. MRC have taken the initiatives on this burning issue which is the bone of contention among Pakistani states.

Mr. Ghulam Mustafs Baloch (Regional Head SPO)

He stated that General Parvaiz Musharaf Government declared seven points in 2002 regading provincial autonomy but unfortunately it remained only a slogan and could never be implemented. Sindh Assembly passed the very first resolution in support of Pakistan, Sien GM Syed palyed major role but he had given a lot of punishments, Sadar Akbar Buggti raised voice for Baloch’s control on natural resources of their province bgut he was killed in military operation. There are lots of other people who sacrificed for Pakistan in real meaning but brutally killed by Pakistani army.

Mr. Hassan Raza Bukhari (Coordinator MRC)

MRC has been working on provincial autonomy since February 21, 2006. We have been conducting the programs throughout the country. We have emphasized on provincial autonomy. Before 1954, Bahawalpur state was isolated from Pakistan and it has different identification but Pakistan dominated the people and resources when it merged with Pakistan.

Mr. Asim Akhunad (Philosophy Department University of Sindh Jamshoro)

In the past, so many national movements were put in to action for the sake of national rights like Indonesia, Vietnam, Russia. All national movements struggled for their independence and empowerment. According to Lenin, “Small nations have short space to live as compared to the biggest nations”. Nationalism is free from religion. It has culture, history, language, economics and political structure. It is unbalanced in human history from the very beginning; some nations are powerful and others are powerless. Democracy means equal in all segments of society. But, Pakistan failed in implementation of democracy. The authorities of Pakistan converted themselves into colonial watchman. Pakistan army has been converted into more powerful pillars of state and socio economic condition is changing gradually. Therefore, provincial movements are arising in Pakistan.

Mr. Subehdin Ghori (Jurnalist Karach Press Club)

Province make a country, country does not provinces. If Pakistan does not justify with the rights of its provinces, it will be broken like Bangladesh. So, it is necessary to equalize the distribution of right among all provinces. Sindh is the biggest industrial zone. It has 62% contribution in revenue but it has given only 26% in the form of National Finance Certificate (NFC) award. Now a days Pakistan is facing the problems of uniform and it created so many other difficulties in the way of democracy and prosperity of Pakistan. There are many loopholes in the politics of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and army has no political role according to the constitution.

Ms. Amar Sindhu (Philosopher and Writer)

If national assembly will sustain then resolution about provincial assembly will submit and it is duty of every national organizations of sindh that they should highlight the issues and problems of Sindh. Provincial autonomyis the problem of every person living in effected province. If the constitution of 1973 would have been practiced in real sense then such issues could never be grown up. Practicing of the constitution is the only tool to solve this problem of provincial autonomy that province has full right on the local recourses.

Second Session (Political Session)

Mr. Gul Mohammad Jakhari (General Secretary Sindh National Front)

He addressed the participants and said that that Sindh National Front has major objection on provincial autonomy. He said our leader Mumtaz Bhutto always raised the question of confederation and we do not agree with the central policies of the federation which is the violation of the constitution and provincial rights. Sindh National Front is doing advocacy to promote the provincial autonomy. People claimed that Mumtaz Bhutto signed the NFC award against Sindh. Infact, he is the person who always struggled for the rights of Sindh. Sindh National Front condemns every ordinance, every document, and every legislation which is against Sindh province and wants the system of confederation. All rights and decisions should be in control of provincial authorities and not in control of army or unelected person.

Mr. Comrade Jam Saqi (Scholar)

Due to lack of political stability Pakistan failed to implement democracy in the country and nobody can do anything sans the permission of Pakistan Army. National movements struggled for their rights but unfortunately, they could not build a pressure on government. Seraiki Movement in Punjab, Baloch Movement in Balochistan and Sindh Movement in Sindh are working by their own tracks, they do not have the common strategy. Hence, these movements could not build pressure on the government. “We are hopeful that the day will come when we will be authorized on our local resources” he ended.

Mr. Hoat Khan Ghandi (Sindh Tarki Pasand Party STP)

Sindh Tarki Pasand Party (STP) has the motto that all resources should be under control of the people who are living in Sindh since hundred years. The issue of provincial autonomy did not hoist few time ago but it began with the creation of Pakistan when migrants came here for refuge. A large number of refugees settled in Karachi the major city of Sindh. Now all the resources are under control of non-Sindhis, even policy making institutions are not in control of Sindhis. We have been struggling for water issue, island issue and NFC award issue throughout Sindh and we strongly condemn the incident of violations of human rights on May 12, 2007. “The government and the supreme court of Pakistan should investigate the master minds behind this episode”, he demanded.

Mr. Punhal Sariyo (Social and Political Activist)

National movements had brought changes in socio-economic and political conditions of many other countries. Provincial autonomy is the burning issue of Sindh and the grass root cause of other issues in the province. If the issue of provincial autonomy would be addressed properly by the government nobody could say that Sindh is a marginalized and deprived province. But unfortunately, all the resources are captured by the federal government. Unemployment ratio is increasing day-by-day, poverty ratio is crossing its limits and water logging is the biggest issue of agriculture.

Mr. Hussain Bukhsh Thebo (Scholar and Political Activist)

In the paper of the constitution 1973, cultural, political and economical rights are given to the provinces but federal government could not provide mentioned rights as per to the ordinance. Provincial autonomy is the only solution for improvement and betterment of social and economical condition of Sindh.

Mr. Afzal Gujar (Pakistan Muslim League-N)

PLM-N has always taken the initiative for provincial autonomy. Oure condition cannot change until Presidents General Parvaiz Musharaf is ruling the country. Because, Pakistan is a democratic country and it cannot run under army control. So, it’s necessary to put up pressure against army and General Parvaiz Musharaf on international forum.

Mr. Ayaz Latif Palijo Advocate (Awami Tehreek)

It is very clear the Sindh has no power to do something for the betterment of Sindhis who are captured by the refugees came from other province and dominated on its resources. The political class could not resolve the issues of Sindh. The internal conflicts of the political parties are also the reason behind this situation. Even Sindhi Chief Minister could not do anything for Sindhi people. Middle class community is less interested in politics and poor people are deprived through devolution of power plan. Our political, cultural and economical rights have been violated but we cannot protest. So, there is need for collective action. We should forgive and forget the mistakes of each other otherwise will be destroyed and history will remember us.