So, A New Province In Sindh Is Definite?

Although MQM`s press conference was a loud and clear message to all the people concerned about leaving the PPP-led Sindh government, Altaf Hussain`s recent statement that MQM would not join the Sindh government again at any cost surely brought to an end all the speculations about it.

Recently, MQM announced to part its ways and to exclusively struggle for a new province. Apparently, the causes of such a bold decision were Bilawal Bhutto`s threat to Altaf Hussain as well as Khurhseed Shah`s terming “Muhajir” as an abuse. But, the fact is that the decision was the result of the consistent anti-Muhajirs (Urdu speaking) policies by PPP and its provincial government over the last several decades.

From 1988, (when MQM first entered into an agreement with the PPP led by the deceased Benazir Bhutto to resolve the grievances of its community in return of politically supporting her to be the Prime Minister of Pakistan) to October 19, 2014 when MQM finally parted its ways with it, PPP did not take any trouble to keep its own promises. From removing the quota system to the holding local body`s elections after a fair census and the resulted delimitations, nothing was done. Not speaking of addressing these issues, Sindh government even added to them. That was all which compelled MQM not to trust PPP anymore and also to start its struggle for a new administrative unit.

However, instead of looking into the grievances and trying to resolve them, PPP and Sindhi nationalists are expressing their hatred against Muhajirs and MQM which is making the already tense situation worse. The way they are showing reaction and giving threats over the demand of new province, it clearly indicates that whether the demand of new units in Sindh from MQM is on ethnic basis or not, but its opposition is purely ethnic-motivated.

The question is, demanding and making new provinces in Sindh is against democratic norms, Islamic principles or constitution of Pakistan? When no, why are the PPP and other Sindhi nationalists reacting like this? Although there can hardly be any valid point for not making new administrative units in the province, yet the opponents can come up with a package for compensating the grievances of Muhajirs in order to avoid the division. But, does it make sense that they neither seem to address the issues, nor do they agree to make new provinces?

Just a couple of week ago, the entire world witnessed the referendum held in Scotland on whether the Scottish still wanted to go along with United Kingdom or would rather have their independent status. There were some very important aspects that could teach us the lesson (that we did not learn even after the fall of Dhaka) how to deal with the aggrieved religious, sectarian or ethnic communities in Pakistan. For example:

1-The British government, instead of sending its troops to crush such a demand like we did in 1971 in East Pakistan, democratically allowed the referendum to be held in Scotland to express their opinion;

2-At the same time, the British government also promised to give more benefits and authorities to Scotland in case of voting for being with the United Kingdom; 

3-The Scottish, despite having had a golden opportunity of getting an independent status, preferred being with the Kingdom which shows how appropriately the British government had dealt with them.

4-After the majority of Scottish had voted in favor of UK, the British Prime Minister said that if the people had voted for separation, he would have resigned for having failed to keep the Kingdom united.

Taking into account all these, when we compare with the reaction of the ruling party in Sindh over the demand of new provinces from MQM, it itself exposes how democratic Pakistan People`s party (PPP) is. The slogan of PPP`s patron-in-Chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari “Marsoon Marsoon Sindh Na Desun” (I would die, but will not give Sindh) does not only reveal his  mindset, but also shows three very important aspects:

1-His party PPP, which has been ruling Sindh for decades, has lost the trust of the people of Urban Sindh (Muhajirs); 

2-Consequently, he knows the fact that, in case a referendum is held asking for public`s opinion over new provinces, the people of urban Sindh would definitely vote for it, and;

3-By fearing the same, he has already decided not to allow it at any cost regardless of what the people want.

In essence, PPP`s hard line against the demand of new province and the threats from Sindhi nationalist reflect that they would not be following the democratic norms to deal with this demand, but taking the tyrannical line which would not help the already weakening unity in the province.

Recently, PPP`s co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari`s while referring to the speeches from Imran Khan and Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri, said, “How can foreign investors bring their investment into Pakistan by seeing such hot speeches.” Yes he is very right! Nobody would ever like to bring this investment in such an atmosphere where there is so much tension. Similarly, considering the remarks like “The word Muhajir is an abuse”, “Bhokey Nangey”, ”Muhajirs live in camps” and “Marsoon Marsoon, Sindh Na Desun”, how would the Muhajir community be willing to live with these racists anymore?   

Therefore, if PPP leadership and any other nationalists really want to see a united Sindh, then they must take bold steps to resolve all the long-pending issues of the Urdu speaking community (Mohajirs) already highlighted by MQM thousands of times. This will not only pacify the deteriorating situation in the province, but would also help to bridge the rural and urban divide in Sindh. However, if they do not change their biased mentality towards Muhajirs, then the division of Sindh seems to be certain.