Pakistan Day: JSQM leader demands freedom for Sindh and Balochistan
This demand came in a ‘Freedom March’ rally organised by the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM), a Sindhi nationalist party, led by Bashir Qureshi.
While it was not possible to give an exact estimate of participants of the rally, both the lanes of MA Jinnah Road from Tibet Centre to Mazar-e-Quaid were filled with people holding flags of JSQM and wearing traditional Sindhi caps.
Most of the participants had though come from interior Sindh, a sizeable number of people from city’s localities of Lyari, Ibrahim, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Malir, Gadap, Keamari and Baloch Colony were also present.
Recalling that Sindh had joined Pakistan under the resolution of March 23, 1940 voluntarily, JSQM chief Bashir Qureshi said that this resolution has lost its value as it failed to give autonomy to the federating units.
“It is therefore not logical and moral to remain with Pakistan. We now say goodbye to this country,” Qureshi said adding that Sindh contributes 80 per cent to federal budget and produces 69 per cent gas and 75 per cent oil. But people of Sindh are deprived of all opportunities.
Referring to Urdu-speaking people, he said that “they are our berths and part of Sindhi nation. But “they should give up their obsession with two-nation theory and start supporting genuine issues of Sindh.” The anthem of Jeay Sindh was also played at the rally.
Qureshi in his address not only demanded independence for Sindh, but said that Balochistan should also be recognised as a separate homeland and the Baloch as a distinct nation.
He said that Pakistan’s territorial boundaries were not sacred and it was always possible change and alter it. Criticising ‘Punjabis,’ Qureshi said “people of Sindh have always fought against the invaders and will not let any one loot and plunder the resources of the soil.”
He also criticised the extremist religious groups who, according to him, were forcing Hindu girls to convert to Islam. JSQM leader called it yet another conspiracy against Hindus of Sindh, who are masters of this land.
“At the time of partition, communal riots were designed to compel 1.3 million Hindu to migrate. In the meantime, settlers were allotted 2.5 million acre land of Sindh under bogus claims.”
The participants of the rally who came via national and super highways first gathered at Gulshan-e-Hadeed before reaching Numaish Chowrangi from where from they marched to Tibet Centre.
They were chanting slogans “Na Khapi na khapi, Pakistan Na Khapi” (We don’t want Pakistan). Other slogans they chanted included: “Tuhinjo Desh, muhinjo Desh, Sindhu Desh, Sindhu Desh” (Your country, my country is the country of Sindhu Desh) and “Tuhinjo Rahbar, muhinjo Rahbar, GM Syed, GM Syed” (Your leader, my leader is GM Syed). Many families along with children were present in March, which had come from different districts of Sindh. Activists of other nationalist parties were also present on the occasion.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 24th, 2012.
COMMENTS (55)
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well since it seems as if my last comment was apparently censored i guess i have to do this again...
@sindhi
u definitely are a naive fool if u think everything will be alright once sindh separates. u say that what u need is awareness and education and that this will improve ur leadership. let me ask u this: if u arent already aware that ur leadership is corrupt after all this time, then what makes u think that u will suddenly become aware after independence? and do u actually think ur leaders will suddenly start giving u better education? if they're not doing it now what makes u think they will do this after separation? in fact if they were giving u good education right now i wouldnt even be discussing this with u. u wont get better education until u change ur leaders but then again u dont need independence for that do u?
u also say that like 100 countries out there, balochistan and sindh will in peace. u believe that u will be able to live freely without pakistan like bangladesh has. please..let me bring u back to reality. first of all those 100 countries dont have any strategic importance, whether its location or resources. sindh and balochistan on the other hand have both. this is why u wont be left in peace. and as for bangladesh, like them no one with a brain believes u will be attacked by india. india isnt dumb enough to do that and frankly has no reason to. all that will happen is that since pakistan will break up, the economies of the separate territories will also be that much weaker. this will allow india to spread its hegemony over us and b/c now theres no pakistan, to the rest of the region. and the last time i checked this is what happened to bangladesh. ur leaders will now not only be corrupt but sold out to india as well. so what would be the point of separation?
btw for the record u lost a ton of credibility when u told me to read the ny and london times and of all things bbc. why would i read such biased newspapers who are always anti-pakistan and are constantly caught lying to spread their anti pakistan propaganda?
imo u have swallowed so much propaganda and disinfo that ure in denial. u want to blame others for what u have done to urself. its not the punjabi's fault that u are uneducated or dont have jobs. all of ur problems lie at the feet of ur leaders, who u urself have elected. but u wont admit that to urself will u, b/c its like admitting that its ur own fault.
i will give u this piece of advice: stop denying the truth to urself b/c no matter what u try u wont be able to fix ur problems without adressing the root cause which is ur leadership.emphasized text
As I once remarked in recent past, It does not take a dime to create a separatist problem. Wherever there is a multiethnic community, some politician or the other will exploit it. NOW YOU WILL APPRECIATE WHAT INDIA STANDS FOR much better.
@ Hamedullah ,as per the argument " interior Sindh produces "foods " that go into my belly , It produces cottton the mill sof Karachi runs on it ....etc etc " ....................
We ahve been sick of these rationale . Ever heard of a barter system .? Brother , you get MONEY against those goods . If you donot provide the raw materal , there are other sources .The rule of demand nd supply will always be there .The factor is MONEY .
To cut short , you want to live in peace and harmony as brothers Prove it first . , denounce the Urban Rual quota . and if you insist on it , apply the same to the recruitment of Armed forces and Police the same .TO START WITH .
BTW , we will be dighted to see how Sindh could survive after segregation from Pakistan ( Theoritacally and Practically which seem so remote .......lolzzzzzzzzzz , but for the sake of arguement ) and how Qadir Magsi and Co would run the "new born " state with a bunch of cutthroat naitonalists, majority of them have FIRs on their names .
people defending the case of division of Karachi should learn lession from Tamil Tigers and other movements started by illegal immigrants (Mohajirs) specially in South Asian countries including India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka etc. These people after getting shelter started campaign against the indigenous people who gave them protection, land, jobs and other needful. Please don"t forget that minority cannot rule over majority. I will suggest Mohajir Bhais to give up this "mischief" approach. Please go through the history starting from Arghun, Turkhan, Mughal and even Biritish era. The people of Sindhi have never cowed against the "aggressive" forces and brave sons and daughters of this soil know how to deal with them in iron hands.
@321, u people were also saying the same for bangalis, that they can not live without pakistan. India will attack them and india will merge them up with her. Pak army & people from punjab used to say that we will teach them urdu and we will make them better muslims (U can read New York Times, London Times and BBC articles of 1971 to weigh this). Now people like u are saying the same for sindh and balochistan. U know there are more than 100 countries, which are smaller in size, economy and population than sindh and balochistan and they are living peacefully on the globe. then why cant sindh and balochistan. and as far the corrupt leader and feudals are concerned, they will be eliminated by better education and awareness, which is being witnessed nowadays.
@ seema sadiqi
u are a gullible fool if u think anything will improve if sindh separates b/c the problem isnt punjabis or anyone else. the problem is ur own leaders. ur leaders arent going to change if u separate so the problem will remain. seriously many pakistanis including those who are always crying for separation and what not are very foolish. they cant see the root of the problem and always make rash and hasty decisions without understanding the consequences or repurcussions that might occur. and the worst part is some media encourages them. if u want conditions in sindh to improve then start by adressing the root of the problem which is ur leadership. elect leaders who arent corrupt, sold-out or are incapable.
So true. We in Punjab are fed-up with all this BS. We need independence from daku raj. We can have growth rate of more than 10% per annum if we don't have cartoons to take care of. By the way, it is the Punjabi paying the Sales tax on the produce. If it is announced today that until and unless production is done in Punjab - no multi-national will be allowed to sell, all of them will shift to Punjab without any hesitation. We should immediately start using Mumbai port and let the jokers kill themselves in Karachi. @Anon.:
Can anyone define what does mean by Wadera and feudal? I think it is a mindset, which always impose irrational ideas on others. Don’t forget that these waderas/feudal are very much present in cities like Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. Please don’t indulge into stereotype statements while sitting in drawing rooms. This kind of approach is no more confined to rural areas only, but flourishes in mega cities too. I will suggest the people who don’t believe to please look around you will find many face in front of you
You are going to right side
@321 U are right see today we were calling each other by our Language as it is our Nationality and yes we have chosen them as our Leader as we saw hope in them but that hope was gone with wind. In these very article who ever has gave comment some of them is supporting a Political Party and some of them is sharing its point of view as you have also done that and where as JSQM leader said for Separation this was suppose to happen as this has been a long term to break our country. First Baluchistan and now in Sindh. Our country would had not been in this position if some policies were not followed...
wow as if u ppl still dont realize that playing the blame game isnt going to work. stop ur useless bickering. its not the punjabis or sindhis or balochis fault. its all our fault for electing the leaders we do every single time. if u want change then stop picking pathetic, corrupt, and sold-out leaders. its their actions that have brought harm to us. its not b/c of punjabi businesses b/c any businessman would look for a way to make their business better. its our own leaders who have stolen our money and deprived us of necessary education, etc. this article has done more harm than good. it has spread even more hatred and this is why articles like this should not be written no matter who its in favour of. so i will say this again: stop bickering about whos fault it is or isnt. thats in the past now and if u want to make the future better u have to let go. that i and always has been the only way to make progress. learn from the past but dont dwell in it.
inko tou pata nahin kitne saal ho gaye yeh kehte hue :P i am a sindhi and i dont want a new sindh being with pakistan is ok .......yes its true we hate many actions taken by islamabad in for or against sindh ........ there shall be co-operation or understanding at least
good luck to sindhis
And lets not forget that also the people in Sindh has accepted the mandate of PPP and MQM and they have given them votes where as JSQM have never been in any Government. In Karachi or in the other cities the people of Sindh has accepted PPP and MQM
@Syed Thank u for sharing that info made by the Sindhi nationalist in 2004 as i didn't knew ed about it but u should also not forget this that to make Jinnah Pur and to break Sindh and separate Karachi was said way before than 2004 so if Sindhi nationalist said that “Karachi ka Sindh kay wasael per koi haq nahi” cause in Karachi there is a policy of Divide and Rule where they say " Karachi hamara tumhara nahin " so u need to also look at these statements as well
Karachi should be separated from Sindh, being with Sindh hold back Karachi's development.
Probably secretly supported by PPP to pressurize the establishment that they are the answer in the next elections.
@sarang:
Rao Waseem Akhtar is Punjabi Rajput....that is why he looses temper sometimes..look at rest of MQM leaders, they are mostly cool headed.
@Syed: any proof regarding ur saying??? if it is said by them than what?? anyone cant stop sindhis to enter in karachi , karachi is in sindh and if ur party started any policy to divide sindh, then we sindhis will give a strong reply either through pen or may be through bullet.
Gosh...why are these Sindhi's so obsessed with Punjab? Punjab has scacrificed it's langauge and culture for the unity of Pakistan and this is what we get?
In 1947, 89% of the migrants to the newly created nation of Pakistan were Punjabis from East Punjab who were uprooted from their homes in one night. But since the creation of Pakistan, all we hear is how the so-called Urdu-speaking muhajirs created Pakistan. Our land got divided, our people migrated, our langauge and culture is being ridiculed everyday in favor of Urdu, our province is being divided again, we contribute the highest percentage of revenue from agriculture and industry and this is what we get? Hatred?
I am strongly in favor of autonomy for Punjab. Since Punjab is the breadbasket of Pakistan, by getting independence, we will have all our food, cotton, water, education and manpower to ourself. We should also expel the Afghan refugees from our land. Independence of Punjab will get rid of the Urdu hegemony and the degradation of Punjabi language and culture.
Oh, and maybe the Sindhi's will have to find someone else to blame their problems on ;)
Thank you so much Express Tribune for letting this get published, you always set new trends. Urdu media had ignored this event and when they said something about it was negative propaganda, not withstanding the demand of Sindhis or the speech that was made at the event. Long Live Sindh, Long Live Peace, Long Live Humanity.
WE ARE REALLY THANKFUL FOR EXPRESS TRIBUNE FOR GIVING GOOD COVERAGE OF THE EVENT. BUT IT IS VERY UNFORTUNATE AND WE PROTEST AGAINST ELECTRONIC MEDIA FOR IGNORING THIS MEGA EVENT AND NOW GIVING IT DUE COVERAGE. I ASSURE YOU THAT I WAS NOT LESS THAN MILLION GATHERING OF SINDHIS
Hassan Kalhoro
Mr Salman, Bashir khan qureshi has rightly said that fate of karachi and urdu speaking people is with sindh. Secondly, karachi was built and developed by sindhi hindus and some parsis.. Harchandrai Vishwandas is the father of karachi who built modern karachi. Go and read history. Long before ur forefathers occupied this land. Sindh was a peacful and prosperous land with no or a few waderaas. And karachi was prosperous and peaceful city before ur forefathers occupied this city. "He should be thanking his lucky stars he is conduting these “separatist ” rallies in the areas dominated by the Muhajirs without any hassle ." this statement shows your mentality & ur training. I dont want to write more on this statment. Secondly, if say Pakistan generates rice. It means few districts of Pakistan. Similarly, If i say sindh generates 80% revenue, means karachi and the rest of sindh. We sindhis are peaceful people, we accepted ur forefathers and gave them place in our hearts. We accept u as our brothers. So live peacefully, accept the rights of majority. Accept sindh, accept sindhis. Dont spread hater. Fight and hater is dangerous for the both muhajirs (udru sindhis) and sindhis.
@ Salman Orangiwala U are bringing up good points but if there so much against Feudal Lord System than why has MQM being a part of it that Government whose leaders are also Feudal s. On one point they are standing against Waderas and Jagedaran on the other hand they are in sitting Government with them.. And why are u not accepting Karachi as a part of Sindh ? And those people who point there fingers at Mohajirs because they are not getting there rights in Karachi and that's why they are pointing out them. Karachi is the Capital of Sindh and by saying that SINDH generates 80% revenue it means that it is a part of SINDH
@ bilal
he didnt neglect it. he said that karachi makes all the revenue but the rest of sindh doesnt do anything so its a little amusing to hear Bashir Qureshi speak as if this is b/c of sindh as a whole while its only b/c of karachi.
playing the balme game isnt going to solve the problem. wake up and smell the coffee ppl. ur leaders in sindh and balochistan are the ones stealing all the money and thats why the conditions are so bad. look at whats been done for balochistan for example. whenever we try and build something it gets destroyed by the separtists. most of the federal budget goes to punjab yes but then it also has a bigger population and needs more resources. the main problem isnt punjabis but ur own greedy leaders. in balochistan they are baloch and in sindh they are sindhi so why are u blaming punjabis for ur problems? its ur own leaders fault that there is no oppurtunities for u. if ur own leaders hadnt neglected u then u would also have had a better life.
@Salman Orangiwala: Let me tell you what rest of Sindh produces, The rest of Sindh produces oil, gas and more importantly FOOD which goes into your belly. The tonnes of textile industries in Karachi are run by cotton, major contribution is grown in Sindh you fool. You are against JSQM ok but at least be a little grateful to the land you are living in.
The government of Pakistan must hold genuine referendum with regards to freedom in balochistan and sindh simultaneously. If they vote for Pakistan, the issue is closed otherwise give them their freedom. Pakistan was supposed to a nation of sovereign states with huge autonomy unlike India, where it was clearly stated that the rule will be highly centralized. If some of my Pakistani brothers are upset and mention to a referendum for Kashmir then please remember, Pakistan has to remove its army from azad Kashmir and get back a part of Kashmir ceded to China by Pakistan first for this issue to be settled. Independent windy and balochistan would be good for Pakistan. Sat Sri akal, take care, cheerio. Bless you all. Have a great day.
@ Qadir Nawaz Awan and Sarang,
I guess you both forgot the statements of Sindhi nationalist and political leaders in i think around 2004-05, when they unanimously said that "Karachi ka Sindh kay wasael per koi haq nahi" (Karachi has no rights over the resources of Sindh) , Its a two way street bro, if Karachi and Karachiite dont have right over Sindh than Sindhi doesn't have rights over Karachi as well.
Salman bro, first tell tht where is karachi..?? isn't karachi a part of sindh or its capital..?? y r u neglecting this fact n y r u not accepting this..
Don’t blame Punjab - we work hard. Besides isn’t there a SINDHI president?
Karachi is a part of sindh ,and it represent its inhabitants which unfortunatley are nonsindhis .Karachi is built by muhajirs .period .
those who think khi as separate from sindh should go to history and see their ancentral legacy then own this city. they are muhjars and muhajars have no land as pakistani claim israeli have no claim on palestine.lol
As to my knowledge muslim league convened 2 working committee meetings & 2 central committe meetings were helds in lahore & karachi accordingly, rest of meetings & rallies were held in other parts of India from 1940 to 1947, so there were no mass movements & political activities for Pakistan in rural areas of Sind, Balochistan, KP except some meetings with landlords in few urban centres so therefore we didn't produce good politicians from the begining, secondly elites of punjab were already serving in Army and who migrated were very well educated, they were bureaucrats,eterpreneurs,artists etc. Unfortunately i think they are two 2 main reasons thats why there is no ownership and feeling of patriotism in country although there is love for motherland, but everyone has its own. So the predictions of abu kalam azad became true & what Ahmed Rashid says in his latest book scares me.
i appreciate the coverage of exp[resstribune to the freedom match,it is unfortunate that rest of terrorist friendly socalled national media is ready to give live coverage to thugs of dafae pakistan council,and secular forces like jeay sindh quomi mahaz`s thousands of people rally was ignored,this is not going to help pakistan,socalled national media must stop its typical narrative of pakistaniism,islam,people no longer can be cheated in the name of islam and pakistan,sindhi ,baloch are as good muslims as are punjabis and rest of pakistani,at same time ppp should not take sindh for granted,policy of appeasement of zardari has been destrying sindh,in senate out 24 seats from sindh,7 are sindhi speaking senators,rest has been donated to punjabis and rest of so called pakistanis.
@ Qadir Nawaz Karachi generates the revenue , the rest of Sindh produces What ???? What a logic ..........the Party donot get elected from Interior Sindh , you always prefer to elect the offpsring of Waderas who are almost all are FORIEGN educated , unlike the PARTY's elected represenatatives who are educated in the same schools as their voters do . ( Just one example , Mr.Sabzwari of MQM was in the same Chatered Accountancy firm , I was ) .
The for the Marvi Memons , Sharjeel Memons , Bilawal Bhuttos et al ............. poor Sindhi students can only dream of attending those Universities and Colleges .
These elected Wadres enjoy the quality and filthy rich life to the fullest in Karachi and always point the finger to Punjab or to the Muhajirs for " all the deprivation " of Sindhi people . Wake up if you are brave enough and if you donot , go ahead belive in the "Opressing tales " as much as you people want to .
Don't forget that Karachi is in Sindh so by saying Sindh generates 80% revenue it does not means that Karachi is not in Sindh. And one of the so called Political party claims to be all over Sindh not in just Karachi so why they haven't done anything for the rest of cities of Sindh since they have been in the Sindh Government in the previous government's and current government as well. .
Whatever happens, karachi won't be a part of sindhudesh. thats for sure.
Great effort and true picture of the event has been presented. We always salute ET for setting new trends in media giving coverage the events on merit. This is the reason i read the paper spending Rs.20 every daily.
@ ET , 'Your Correspondence " covering this , seems to be partial to the rally .
"Sindh generates 80% of the revenue " lolzzzz. Bashir Qureshi should have the moral courage to spill the truth that Karachi generates 80% revenue .Interior Sindh is like Moenjodaro .Nothing has been done for the development of Interior Sindh for the last 60 yrs .And PPP and Sindhi waderas have been in the pwer corridot almost all the time .
And he must stop preaching Urdu speaking people what they should do .He should be thanking his lucky stars he is conduting these "separatist " rallies in the areas dominated by the Muhajirs without any hassle .
It is ridiculous to blame Punjab for all ills .Rather silly .Why dont you ask Mirza, Almani ,the Pirs of Sindh Assembly , what they have done for your development and well being for the last 60 yrs ?