Even though the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) may have taken a great leap forward in Sindh by gaining the support of Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah, the chairman of the Sindh United Party, it is still being given the cold shoulder from Dr Niaz Kalani, the acting chairman of Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM).
He said that PML-N has not contacted, directly or indirectly, Sindhi nationalists for support in the elections. Kalani added that the nationalists themselves would not cooperate with the PML-N, as it is engaging in what he referred to as “the politics of federalism”.
“Supporting the PML-N is out of the question as we follow the ideology of Saeen GM Syed, who fought for the freedom of Sindh. We will never form an alliance with any federalist party,” he told PPI. “We do not accept the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan as it does not give the right of secession to federating units and we do not believe in taking part in the politics of elections,” he said.
To a question about the recent alliance between PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif and the chairman of the Sindh United Party, Syed Jalal Mahmood Shah, who is the grandson of GM Syed, the JSQM chairman said, “Yes, Jalal Mahmood Shah is the grandson of Saeen GM Syed. But he has never followed the ideology of his grandfather. Gaining his support does not mean that Nawaz has gained the support or even the sympathies of the Sindhi nationalists.”
When asked about Mumtaz Bhutto, who disbanded the Sindh National Front and joined PML-N, on the grounds that Sharif had supported his provincial autonomy programme, Kalani said, “Sindh is not a province. It is a state and a nation. I reiterate that we believe in the freedom of Sindh.”
He laid down certain conditions to talking to Nawaz. “We will hold a dialogue with him if he agrees that Pakistan is a multi-nation country and Sindh is a state and Sindhis constitute a nation. If this happens, we too would recognise Punjab as the separate nation and talk to Sharif,” he said.
When asked if JSQM could achieve its goals just by holding demonstrations and rallies, Kalani said that his party is creating national awareness amongst the Sindhi nation. “We know this is a very long struggle, but we will not give up.”
To a question about the unification of nationalist organisations, especially the different groups of Jeay Sindh, Dr Niaz Kalani said, “We all have decided not to oppose each other as we all are followers of Saeen GM Syed’s ideology. We will improve our attitudes towards each other and create an atmosphere of mutual cooperation.”
Kalani said that because of Ramazan, his group had stopped holding demonstrations and asking for an investigation into death of JSQM chairman Bashir Khan Qureshi. “We have already announced that we will hold a big demonstration in Hyderabad after Ramadan.” He said the Pakistan Peoples’ Party government has shown criminal negligence with regard to the investigation into Qureshi’s death.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 23rd, 2012.
COMMENTS (34)
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Bashir Khan Qureshi was going to launch his protests against the vaderas and he was no more. Now which Sindhi leader will ever raise his head. As it is we are known cowards. The only thing we excel is in corruption, theft and dacoity. In this also we leave alone the vaderas for fear of their retribution. Even if we get a separate Sindhi Desh what are we going to achieve? Some vadera will be on your head.
For all the folks who think JSQM has no following should watch this video and check out the HUGE support for separatist politics in Sindh. http://youtu.be/LECMYC_QVo8 Those who aren't residents of Sindh and are pointing to problems in Sindh should mind their own business and leave us alone and give us a right to separate. We voted as a state to be part of Pakistan and we have every right to vote to get out of this state if we wish to. If you're so confident about votebank and support of Sindhis, how about make an amendment in constitution and give provinces/states a right to separate if parliament decides to and then the world will see how this nation made on 'Islam' falls, just like it did in 1971. Two Nation theory died in 1971. Long Live Free Baluchistan, Long Live Free Sindh.
JSQM demands are out of limits. I acknowledge there is injustice with them but same is the story with almost every ethnic group the country. Basically, there is only 2 groups, status quo and and anti-status quo. If we take the matter in this way, then the problems would appear more simple. Therefore, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) appears to be the saviour of people of Pakistan.
PML(N) is on a verge to divide Sindh from Pakistan by accepting people like Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah and Mumtaz Bhutto who never say they are Pakistani. Shame on PML(N) and all the other parties who are contacting them.
Dr. Niaz Kalani you are on a right path we sindhi nation are totally agree with, here is one question from all the the above opposers of JSQM who are saying that JSQM didn't represents the sindhi what is the ratio of sindhi people who vote in the pakistan elections and take part in electorial politics. But JSQM holded a seperation march on 23rd March 2012 and according to media there were 2500000 twenty five lack sindhi's who participated there just assume that what represent sindh those who are about twenty five lack or those who didn't possess any majority the majority of sindhi nation needs freedom. we are agree with Dr. Niaz Kalani.
People of Sind would never go with PML-N. They can never forget the hanging of ZAB by the Punjab HC and all Punjabi judges of SC. While all the non Punjabi judges of the SC had acquitted him. They also cannot forget the fact that two elected Sindhi PM were killed in Rawalpindi during the army rule. I can keep going but this would suffice. Make no mistake about it, the Sindhi are much more smart people than the urban elite think. They cannot forget the political offspring of Gen Zia, the Sharif brothers.
@Hardliner: This is the fact that Punjabis are true Pakistanis because they have been plundering its resources through establishment. You are in denial of the fact just like just like the punjabi dominated establishment.
@amjad khattak:
Oh so now its Punjab's fault that people from other provinces do not act Pakistani?? What next?? Punjabiz causing the troubles in Karachi between pakhtuns and mahajirs? stop this self-delusion non-sense.............
@hardliner: so whom will you blame for it?? have punjab given chance to the other province to be the best pakistanis????
@Confused Paki: I'm Sindhi and I fully endorse this comment!
@Shah:
Fantastic! Well said
JSQM , in no way represents sindh. to em, they are people who are repsonsible for all crimes and oppression in rural sindh.
The Jeay Sindh movement is now nothing but third grade extortionists and land grabbers who have time and again been rejected by voters. Hanging a bunch of flags does not make u popular!
@Awans: I am from interior Sindh and trust me they will seldom get 100 votes. Most Sindhis dont support separate nation theory.
Lebanese poet, Khalil Gibran, once wrote "Pity the nation divided into fragments, each fragment deeming itself a nation."
@PML(N) forever:
I would love to have my perception proven wrong..... what else could be better?
cann't believe we still have these people living in pakistan. even in the 21st century.
@Hardliner: sorry but your preception is wrong, i am non punjabi and i love pakistan more than you.
why would anyone ask kalani for support if he knows that JSQM itself has no support among sindhis.it woud not make difference even if JSQM supported any party because it doesn't have that much following to have influence on poll results.
Kalani has no standing even in interior Sindh.
@msytreeman: Well sorry for that. I am also talking for the above article and I am not generalizing but yes my wordings were like Generalization and i am sorry for that.
@Shah: Shah sahab.. you won my heart!!!
@Shah: very blunt...........but really true.
You ask any Sindhi myself included if vaderas are good for Sindh? They all agree that they are the worst curse Sindis have endured for ages. Yet when if you see their record they do not have any movement against their ouster. Leave alone a movement they do not have a single protest against the vaderas, Now with this mindset could we have ever risen against the Britishers? Never. No way. So what secession are they talking about?
Thanks to the creation of Pakistan they are enjoying everything in world. Go to Home Department, everybody is a Sindhi from top to bottom. Now to make matter worse vaderas children due to their influence not merit have filled up official positions. Rise against them. They have a price for every signature. Go to Home Dept. you will know who charges how much. They are invariably all Sindis. They enjoy big salaries, cars and all government perks. On top of it corruption.
If it was not for Pakistan today we would be slaves of Hindus who ran away to India whose properties we occupied. Be grateful that somebody called M.A.Jinnah and the Muslims of India gave us freedom via Pakistan. We many not like this bitter truth but it is history and a truth we should not try to smudge or re-construct. We could never have driven the Brits. out. Be realistic. It is the poor and weak governance of Pakistan that has emboldened you so much. Speak like this in India see if you see the sky ever.
How dare Kalani not accept the constitution of Pakistan? Who does he think he is. For his statements he should have been arrested by now and treason proceedings initiated. Such thoughts have to be nipped in the bud. I appeal to The President and Prime Minister to immediately arrest him and make an example of him. Simultaneously introduce land ceiling in Sindh at least to wipe out any vaderagiri which is behind all such movements and utter lawlessness in Sindh.
Something like this is going to help the Sindis not secession.
A person who is not known by next door neighbour putting conditions for national party. Why all so called nationalist suddenly become active after Nawaz sharif inroad to PP strong hold.
@Awans: What you wanna say dear, be clear. These are the sentiments of a leader of a political party. They do not represent the opinion and sentiments of majority of SIndhis who have always voted for a federal party PPP.
Kalani saab Pakistan is your own country. If you try to look out of your self imposed isolation, things will start making sense for you. Pakistan Paindabaad!
india never allow further division of Pakistan or India on the basis of religion or languages only loose integration is possible.
Now my belief stands further strengthened........... Punjab is the only Pro-Pakistani province and Punjabis are the true Pakistanis............... sorry, but this is the blunt truth.........
Nationalist agenda................................... people will never learn.
He is saying Politics of Federalism is not allowed??. Do Sindhis does not consider themselves as Pakistanis as they dont believe in Federalism???. Why type of Separate Federation they are talking about apart from Pakistan. The people of Internal Sindh are on another level of ignorance and nothing could be done about it. This is another form of Racism found in Pakistan where so called Nationalists are destroying the Unity.