Devotion to the motherland: ‘Learn Sindhi to prove your love for the province’

Illegal immigrants should be sent back to their countries, says Dr Qadir Magsi at STP’s rally.

KARACHI: Anyone living in Sindh who protects and learn the province’s language is a Sindhi, exclaimed the leaders of the Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party (STP) at their rally near the Mazar-e-Quaid on Sunday. If, however, someone supports the division of its land and resources, then we will find them, said STP Chairperson Dr Qadar Magsi.

Addressing the rally, titled ‘Sindh Mohanji Aman [Sindh is my mother]’, Dr Magsi said that he wanted all ethnic groups living in Sindh to have equal rights. “I don’t object if a person talks in Urdu, Punjabi, Balochi, Siraiki or Pashto, but one must learn Sindhi to prove that Sindh is his or her motherland,” he added. “We all have to keep ethnic differences aside otherwise the bloodshed and violence won’t ever stop.”

Clarifying his stance on immigrants, he said, “All illegal immigrants should be sent back to their countries. It’ll definitely minimise terrorism in the country.”

Dr Magsi said that the federal government has no right on Sindh’s natural resources, adding that the province’s people were facing economic hurdles due to the involvement of the federal government. “We want a democratic setup in Pakistan. All ethnic groups and religions should be given due rights and freedom. People are free to worship according to their creed - no one should impose their will through weapons.”

Taking a stab at the Pakistan Peoples Party, he alleged that the ruling party was supporting mafias. Police were deployed around the rally’s venue while the roads and streets were blocked with containers.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2014.