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This is in response to a column of Mr. Habib Jatoi, published in Daily Kawish on 23rd
February 2004.
Your (HJ‟s) apprehensions about the future role of parliamentarians and assembly
members from Sindh on Kalabagh dam and other water issues in the country are
very much correct, for which you have already mentioned some examples from
post partition history.
In my view
1. It is beyond anybody‟s doubt and well established fact that KALABAGH DAM
IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, if not to all but, to a very vast majority of Sindhi
population.
2. Punjab is very much serious in building Kalabagh Dam
3. The construction is delayed because of lack of availability of required funds.
4. World Bank and other financers are NOT reluctant to provide required funds
for the Sindh and other provincial assemblies oppose it. This could be one
factor but is NOT the ONLY reason, otherwise as you have pointed out in
your column Passing of Resolution from any of the assembly in Pakistan by
the Government of the time is NOT impossible. Specially in the present type
of representations of people from small provinces.
5. Public opinion of Sindhi people have no value for Punjabi-Panahgir dominated
federal bureaucracy and centers of power.
6. Balance of Power between Punjab and Sindh is clearly in favour of Punjab in
terms of numerical strength, power share in politics, military, bureaucracy,
courts and in many other areas.
7. Kalabagh Dam is opposed on Technical and Political grounds by Sindh and, of
course, on the past experience of Sindh with Punjab on water matters.
8. “Kalabagh a matter of Life and Death for Sindh” is a separate debate. At
least I am not competent to comment on it.
Present day scenario:
4. This government has also aired the issue of NFC and publicized that
Punjab is bulldozing opinion of the three provinces.
5. Musharf, as the Army Chief, has few days back issued a statement
that there is NO injustice with Sindhis as for as their representation is concerned in
Army. This clarification of Musharaf was uncalled for. Nobody at present from Sindh
has raised such a question.
Let us look ate few statements that have appeared in just two days.
1. 23 Feb 2004 : Musharaf is maximizing gulf between the provinces.
Benazir
Let us now look at the charter of Muhajir Quomi Movement, as issued on Saturday,
June 4, 1994:
§ Mohajirs constitute about 50% of Sindh‟s population but their share in the
Federal and Provincial services is negligible. The urban quota in federal and
provincial services needs to be enhanced from 7.6% to 9% as from 40% to 50%
respectively on the strength of their population. The factual position is that the
representation of Mohajirs in federal and provincial services is only 1% and 15%
respectively. To meet the deficiency of 8.5% at federal level and 35% on provincial
level, special recruitment for induction of Mohajirs be made on emergency basis
and due share of Mohajirs in the services be maintained.
Conclusion:
My dear and respected friend, In the light of above I would like to make few points
as below (which are not new to a person like you, some of which have
been presented by Mr. Rasool Bux Palijo as well):
1. The Punjabis and Sindhis have been living in the Indus Valley for thousands
of years. There had never been any war or noticeable major disputed between
them. It is only after partition that the two states were made enemies of one
another.
2. The Punjabis and Sindhis will live in Indus Valley for the future course of
time. They have to find a way and solutions to “Live and Let Live”.
3. The agenda of minority provinces, since beginning, is to grasp land for the
muslims of minority provinces of India. Their population is yet not adequate to
claim full control over Sindh. They are trying to secure at least a region (for which
MQM have repeatedly asking for more autonomy in their manifesto) of Karachi
purely for Muhajirs.
4. Muhajirs, under the leadership of Musharaf think the contemporary time most
suitable to implement their malafide designs of separation of Karachi from Sindh or
at least most possible autonomy (such as separate police and administration for
Karachi). They have already tried to establish separate Ministers and Departments
for Rural and Urban populations in their previous government, and now through
Local Government system.
5. Muhajirs (since Liaqat Ali Khan) want Urdu and Urdu alone the language of
Pakistan.
7. Muhajirs still work for agenda and are permanent part and parcel of muslims
of minority provinces of India. Their actual clash is with native Sindhis. Punjabis
were their allies until they were playing in their hand. After awareness in Punjab
and rise of Punjabi industrialist and business class, the clash between the
industrialist and business class of muslim minority provinces, who have
manipulated and took active part in Pakistan Movement, and of Punjab has started.
The shifting of Industries from Nooriabad to Punjab, Development of
communication infrastructure (roads, highways, airports etc) for linking central
Punjab to Central Asia in North, Gawadar in South is not digestable to Muhajirs.
8. Punjabi business class have captured the Pakistan market against the will,
plan and estimation of Muhajirs, who are now trying to establish links with Indian
Markets through opening of Khokhrapar. Musharaf also supports the Idea.
9. I respect and salute those workers who are offering sacrifice for the cause of
Sindh and opposing construction of Kalabagh Dam. But the struggle against
Kalabagh Dam at this time when the Government has no funds available to start
construction is instigated by Muhajirs to increase the Gulf between Sindh and
Punjab. There is absolutely no need to nominate Ministers to start campaign in
favour of Dam and make it public issue by the Government itself, and thus creating
problem for itself. It is absolutely and apparently unwise on part of government,
but have hidden agenda of Muhajirs. “Punja Azmai” or the show of strength with
Punjab at this stage is unwise. There are still lot of options which should be tried. (
I am sorry for my opinion, it is absolutely NOT to degrade the sacrifices of Sindhi
people for Kalabagh and othetr National Issues)
10. Intellectuals should be allowed to play a role on both sides (Sindh and Punjab).
11. There are two objectives of Muhajirs at this time: One, if Pakistan is
disintegrated as the result of the clash between Sindh, Punjab and other provinces,
they will bring more muslims from Indians and if not the whole Sindh at least will
capture the coastal part of Sindh upto Indian border. (Musharaf has already
announced construction of coastal highway from Karachi to Tharparker upto Indian
border towns, the work will begin soon and be completed as soon as possible).
Second, if Pakistan remains, they want Punjabis to realize that they are their
natural allies and will seek new formula of power share in Pakistan securing
maximum possible interests of Muhajirs.
12. This is a very crucial time after 1947. that was a time when boundaries of
subcontinent were demarcated. Though final decision makers were British, but the
major actors were Hindu leadership of congress) and leaders of Muslim minority
provinces (Jinnah, Liaqat etc). Punjabis never supported Pakistan, but at the end
were given incentives as they were to play a major role in coming five to six
decades which everybody have witnessed. Of course they were granted concessions
as per their role (played in last five decades for UK and USA – which was not
foreseeable at the time of partition). But in lieu of those concessions in the form of
economics Punjabi as a nation had to sacrifice a lot, their country was divided, their
people on bothsides of Punjab were slaughtered (this is a separate issue and need
to be analyzed in detail). At this time again, decision about permanent boundaries
of Pakistan and India is offing and being negotiated under the auspices of UK and
USA. On the side of India there is a genuine leadership emerged through a
democratic process of almost six decades, but on this side Muhajirs (Indian muslims
of UP and CP again) under the leadership of Musharaf have taken leadership by
ousting a Punjabi leader Nawaz by playing every thing UK and USA desire. Thus
talks are being held again between the same two interests groups (of 1947), under
the umbrella of the same old masters with one change of interests of Punjabi
business class which was not there previously. The future role and concessions (in
lieu of playing that role) is being decided for next four-five decades.
13. Sindhi need a wise leadership. Patience and lot of preparedness is required to
cope with emerging situation.
14. Realities of 1947, 1971 and of today are very different. Cracks have been
developed in Muhajir-Punjabi alliance. They need to be critically and thoroughly
analyzed. Policies and strategies of Nationalist forces specially of Sindh and
Baluchistan need to be revised.
I would reiterate that Punjbis, Sindhis, Baluch and Pathans, the all natives, have to
live in this part of the world for all times to come. It would be ideal if they workout
a formula and way of living together respecting each others interests and honour.
Otherwise there will be no permanent peace in this country, no development, no
prosperity. The politics of conspiracies should be blocked by forging unity of all
natives.
Z R Mirani
5 March 2004