"The time has come to engage in national-level politics so that we can properly struggle for the rights of our land [Sindh]," Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah grandson of GM Syed.
The Sindhi nationalist parties converged in Sann, the hometown and burial place of the late nationalist leader GM Syed, to mark his 19th death anniversary on Friday.
In the seven separate public meetings organised by factions of Jeay Sindh Tehreek, the leaders expressed grievances against the state, reiterating allegations of exploitation of Sindh’s resources by outsiders.
However, the Sindh United Party’s leader and former speaker of Sindh Assembly, Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah, urged the Jeay Sindh factions for democratic struggle within the existing set-up. “The time has come to engage in national-level politics so that we can properly struggle for the rights of our land [Sindh],” said Shah, who is also Syed’s grandson.
In an indirect reference to Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz which is allegedly involved in violent activities, Shah said some elements are misleading the nationalist workers. “They are indulging in acts of terrorism.”
The Sindh Taraqi Pasand party’s chairperson, Qadir Magsi, praised Syed as a great thinker, visionary and a leader of the Sindhi people. The state has found new ways of shackling Sindh to occupy the province’s natural resources with the help of new legislations in the assemblies, he claimed. He opposed the continuous migration to Sindh from Afghanistan, Burma, Bangladesh and the tribal areas.
Jamaat-i-Islami’s provincial leader Asadullah Bhutto said Syed endeavoured for Sindh’s rights. He assured the SUP of JI’s support in their political struggle.
Karam Wassan of the Awami Jamhori Party said the armed struggle of nationalist workers is actually against their own interests. Sindh’s rights, he added, can only be achieved by peaceful political struggle and by acquiring education.
JSQM
The young leader of Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz, Sanan Qureshi, said the agreement under which Pakistan was formed was changed to empower the Punjab over all other provinces. He reiterated the resolve to struggle for freedom of Sindh. Niaz Kalani accused the intelligence agencies for subjecting nationalist workers to enforced disappearance and killings. “The workers are not afraid of such tactics as they remain steadfast in their struggle. They will continue their peaceful and non-violent struggle as was envisioned by Syed.”
JSMM
In his statement read on the occasion, JSMM’s chief Shafi Burfat called upon all the Jeay Sindh factions to unite. He praised Syed for giving consciousness to Sindhis to struggle for their rights.
The vice-chairperson of JSMM, Lala Aslam Pathan, said the workers are sacrificing their lives for the freedom of Sindh.
JSQM (Arisar)
Abdul Wahid Arisar, the leader of his own faction, pointed out that despite serving 31 years in prison, Syed remained committed to a peaceful political struggle. Arisar rejected the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance, arguing that the people of Sindh and Balochistan will be victimised through this law.
JSM
The Jeay Sindh Mahaz’s president, Riaz Chandio, said the state institutions are promoting extremism in rural Sindh. He gave the example of the recent incidents in which places of worship of Hindus were targeted in parts of Sindh. Chandio announced a sit-in on National Highway in Hyderabad on May 25 against the alleged water theft by Punjab.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 27th, 2014.
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