“Ever increasing Gulf

between Sindh and Punjab”

By Zulfiqar Mirani

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:

1. Musharaf, a Muhajir, supports Kalabagh and has shown keen interest

PUBLICLY in construction of the Dam. He and his followers now and often reiterate
in media and in public the construction of Dam than any other Government. More
than, even, Nawaz Sharif a true and genuine Punjabi leader and representative who
has still lot of support in Punjab.

2. Musharaf has also initiated construction of other disputed water

projects like Thal Canal.

3. Musharaf‟s Government supports the idea of opening of Khokhrapar

border with India.

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.

6. Any type of press/media statement against Punjab and Punjabi is

NOT blocked by the present Government. Any thing exposing designs of Muhajirs
are blocked from being published in media.

7. The Muhajirs do not oppose construction of Kalabagh and Thal canal.

They only struggle for such issues that increase gulf between Sindh and Punjab.
They never support projection of Sindhi Language and Culture, struggle of Sindhi
youth for restoration of their employment in different organizations.

8. They on the other hand support opening of Khokhrapar border, influx

of Biharis and others from India, Burma and from all countries, all such moves and
actions that secure more powers and authority for Karachi, which ultimate lead to
an autonomous territory.

9. Muhajirs are engaged in and leave no chance of increasing gulf

between Sindh and Punjab.

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

2. 23 Feb 2004 : PONAM demands fresh elections of constituent

assemblies.

3. 23 Feb 2004 : If Afghanis are allowed in Sindh, Biharis should also

be allowed. Waseem Akhtar, MQM‟s Advisor to Chief Minister of Sindh – stated at
Nawabshah.

4. 24 Feb 2004 : MQM demands fifty-fifty share in employment quota in

Sindh – Kawish.

5. 13 Feb 2004 : In a recent statement at National Defence College, the

Prime Minister Muhammad Khan Jamali has floated the idea of dividing current
provinces to create new provinces of the size of divisions.

Such statements often appears in press and media.

Let us now look at the manifesto of Mutahida Quomi Movement

 It is therefore imperative to recognise and accept the constitutional rights of

Sindhi, Punjabi, Pakhtoon, Mohajir, Baloch, Saraiki, Brohi, Makrani and all
other nationalities, fraternities, lingual, cultural and religious units to provide
them justice so that the fervour of national integration could grow and
kinship develop. MQM desires that by mutual co-operation in the spirit of give
and take and with consensual approach, steps be taken to formulate and
execute such development programs by the federal and provincial
governments in which every region of the country is able to participate and
effectively share its benefits and that no class of the populace should feel left
out and bypassed. (ref: item 1 National Integration)
 By granting more powers and providing enhanced resources to the elected
local bodies their role in the education, up to primary and secondary level
should be increased and the framework and scope of these institutions to be
enlarged and used to full potential. As an additional step, the federal and
provincial governments should provide grants to the elected local
bodies……………………. Merit should be the predominant factor in selection. (ref:
item 2 Education)
 In our country, owing to the dual educational system, the medium of
instruction is usually in two languages. In State schools from primary level
onwards the medium of instructions is usually Urdu, commonly known as
 Urdu Medium Schools. Whereas in good quality, expensive and private
schools the medium for instructions is always English, these schools are
termed as English Medium Schools. Invariably, the government and
administrative jobs go to the people who have knowledge of English and for
top positions only those people are appointed who have fluency in English
language. The majority of the population in the country gets its education in
Urdu language and does not know the English language at all or certainly
does not have the fluency in English language. For this reason a great
majority of the population is deprived of applying for top jobs despite the fact
that they are quite capable of carrying out the functions. They are deprived
of these positions because of the dual standards of the education system. In
order to involve the majority of the public in all modes of administration so
they can participate in the running of the country, the dual standards of
education has to be eliminated. The medium of education should be the same
in English medium schools and Urdu medium schools with a view to getting
rid of the superiority which the English medium schools have taken for
granted over the Urdu medium schools. (ref: item 2 elimination of dual
education system).
 From MQM‟s point of view, race, language, colour and region should not be
considered while appointing people for industry, trade and commerce,
whether in government institutions or non-governmental organisations. The
criteria should be merit and merit alone for obtaining employment. (ref :
item 8 human rights)
 It is MQM‟s view that without abolishing the feudal system, Pakistan cannot
progress………….. Twice in the past, attempts were made to enforce
agricultural reforms but because of the grip of the feudal oligarchy those
reforms could not be carried out. It is, therefore, essential that the ceiling for
landholding be established and effective land reforms be implemented. (ref :
11 feudal system).
 The feudal lords are the sole beneficiaries of the agricultural produce. After
their round the clock labour the poor peasants get just about enough to
survive…….. It is MQM‟s policy to provide peasants with a share of the
agriculture produce on similar grounds as the industrial labour in town gets a
share in the profits from industries. …………. MQM is in favour of levying tax
on agricultural income and wants to improve the system of collecting „Ushr‟
tax in the country. (ref : 12 Agriculture).
 With the consensus of all provinces, and keeping in mind the agreed formula
for the distribution of water, new canals should be dug to cultivate barren
land. . (ref : 12 Agriculture).
 For this purpose policies should be formulated which would readily establish
industries throughout the country without unreasonable legal impediments
and bureaucratic interference………… MQM wants to see that by introducing a
"one-window operation"; the people should have access to all the
safeguards, advantages and protection for the development of industry………
The taxation system should be made simple and easy to understand……….
 MQM wants to provide constitutional protection for the elected local bodies
throughout the country.
 MQM is in favour of maximum provincial autonomy and, therefore, wishes
that power be transferred from the centre to the provinces and from the
province to the elected local bodies……... On the question of provincial
autonomy, MQM wants consultations and discussions to be held with the
leaders of all the provinces to seek an appropriate and reasonable solution
acceptable to all regions of the country.
 With a view to solving problems at local level, thereby generating a feeling of
participation by the people of all regions in the country, MQM favours making
local elected bodies strong and more effective by promoting the concept of
"Local Self Government"………….. It is, therefore, essential that power and
authority is transferred from federal level to provincial level and from
provincial level to the elected local bodies……….. It is therefore, necessary
that the elected local bodies are allowed to exercise greater authority and
financial independence in line with other developed countries of the
world…………
 It is, therefore, essential that the number of constituencies are increased and
adjustments made in the national and provincial assembly seats in
accordance with the revised population ratio in different constituencies. (The
demand already met by Musharaf)
 Furthermore, new problems are being created due to migration of rural
population to the cities. In order to deal with this effectively, MQM wants to
take realistic measures to resolve these problems.
 The stranded Pakistanis have been living a poverty–stricken life since 1971 in
Bangladeshi camps. Their only crime is that they believed in patriotism and
they still want to return to their own country, Pakistan. It is regrettable that
successive governments did not pay attention to this humanitarian and
national problem. Some political leaders exploited the situation for their
political gains and had no real interest in solving the problem of repatriation.
In fact, those who oppose the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis actually
oppose the Two Nation Theory which was the basis for the division of India
and creation of Pakistan. MQM‟s point of view is that the stranded people in
Bangladesh are patriotic Pakistanis and should be brought back home,
forthwith.
 What is immediately needed is to establish an effective and simple system
which will tend to minimise the tax burden upon the people on one hand but
controlling tax evasion on the other, thereby, creating an increase in tax
recovery…….… there should be a levy of taxes that are endurable to the tax
payers ……….. In this regard the enforcement of tax on agricultural income
would be a step in the right direction …….(comments: The dual policy – for
agriculturist and for business and industrial class because agriculturists are
predominently Sindhis)
 MQM wants to see all laws and policies that are inconsistent with the rule of
merit, including the Quota System, to be repealed forthwith………. MQM wants
to see that in all industrial, commercial, fiscal, municipal government and
non-governmental organisations, employment should be given on the basis
of merit alone. …………… it is essential to remove the crutch of the Quota
System.
  in coastal areas and the cities on the seashore desalination plants should be
installed.
 In order to solve the problem of energy, MQM wants to build more dams……..
 MQM is in favour of local policing in all regions……….. MQM says that
Policemen should be recruited from the District they live in.

Let us now look at the charter of Muhajir Quomi Movement, as issued on Saturday,
June 4, 1994:

§ Mohajir representation in the National and Provincial assemblies and the

Senate is well below their actual population. To ensure proportionate representation
of Mohajirs, the overdue census be conducted under an impartial authority. The
electoral boundaries in Sindh province be also revised.

§ 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.

§ The spirit of democracy demands that all sections of population are

represented in the government. Therefore the position of the Governor and Chief
Minister of Sindh be shared in rotation by Mohajirs and Sindhis. [It was agreed in
1972 between late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Mohajir elders that in the presence of a
Sindhi Chief Minister a Mohajir will always be made the Governor of the Province,
but this agreement has not been fully adhered to.]

§ The repatriation of stranded Pakistanis from Bangladesh to Pakistan be

carried out without further delay.

§ Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Hyderbad Municipal Corporation and other

Municipal bodies be made autonomous to govern their affairs freely.

§ All employees arbitrarily sacked or removed from Federal, Provincial and

semi-government services since June 1992 and those sacked from Pakistan Steel
Mills be reinstated. [During Operation Clean Up several thousand Mohajirs were
sacked from government and semi-government organisations. Prior to this about
6000 had also been dismissed from Pakistan Steel Mills. Their only crime was that
they were Mohajirs.]
§ Representation of Mohajirs in Sindh Police is negligible; therefore,
recruitment of Mohajirs in Sindh Police be made on emergency basis to make it
proportionate according to their population ratio.

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.

6. After rise of Punjabi nationalism, the education in native people of Pakistan

including Sindhi and Punjabi, Muhajir bureaucracy have no other option but to
vacate some positions for native people. Their share in power (though is very high
at present in Musharaf Government, perhaps higher than the Government of Liaqat
Ali Khan) is normally declining.

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.

There is a lot more to write and discuss.

Z R Mirani

5 March 2004