Barring IDPs: Nationalists move to Ghotki, Kandhkot to ‘protect’ motherland from ‘outsiders’
Hundreds of residents belonging to the North Waziristan Agency (NWA) have been rendered homeless in the wake of the ongoing Zarb-e-Azb operation against militants. It has been reported that these displaced people are on a lookout for resettlement and are moving to different places in the country, in particular Sindh.
However, Sindhi nationalist parties are unhappy with their motherland being flooded by, what they called, ‘outsiders’. The ‘Sindh Bachayo’ movement was launched to protest this inflow.
Nationalist parties, including the Sindh United Party (SUP), the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) and others have gathered under the banner of the movement. Earlier, they had blocked the highways connecting Sindh and Punjab to bar the IDPs from entering Sindh. In the first phase of the protest, the protesters blocked National Highway at Dera Morr Kashmore and Ubauro Toll Plaza on Wednesday morning. The blockade continued till Thursday morning.
Entering the second phase, hundreds of nationalist parties’ workers led by JSQM senior vice-president Dr Niaz Kalani and SUP leader Jalal Mehmood Shah staged sit-ins at the Ghotki bypass and the Kandhkot bypass, simultaneously.
However, the protesters showed a little leniency in the second phase. A slight change in strategy saw the activists barring only buses, coaches and trucks carrying the IDPs, while all the other vehicles were allowed to pass through. Kalani told The Express Tribune that their target is to stop only the IDPs from entering Sindh.
Background
Soon after evacuation started from the NWA, the Sindh government refused to allow the IDPs to enter Sindh. However, it later announced to establish camps at the bordering areas of Sindh and Punjab with all facilities. Although the camps were not set up, police posts were established at the bordering areas where IDPs were being checked and, after thorough verification, they were allowed to enter Sindh.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2014.
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I can't believe the apathy and xenophobia displayed by these so-called nationalists. They have not an iota of empathy in them. The IDPs coming to Sindh are mostly looking to find shelter with their ethnic networks in cities like Karachi and Hyderabad where large numbers of Pashtuns live. These are also metropolitan cities with opportunity for a decent life for many of the more skilled or relatively well-off IDPs. Most importantly, as Pakistanis, these IDPs have the absolute right to go settle in or visit any part of their country; no one gets to bar people from parts of Pakistan or fence them in. As for Lahore and Punjab, they have welcomed millions from Indian Punjab and other parts of the country since Independence; it shouldn't be any different now.
Since 47, Sindhi is flooded with immigrants. It has harmed our cultural values, religious tolerance Sufism and socio-econmic fabric. We are not against IDPs, and we support Military operation against terrorist, but Establishment should stop marginalizing Native Sindhi speaking community, we are turning minority within our own province.
Our forefathers struggled for Pakistan and they passed resolution in Assembly in 1943 to be part of Pakistan, we demand equal and just role in this federation. We own Pakistan and Pakistan Establishment and Govt must own us and address our grievances.
these IDPs should be stopped entering Sindh...rather they should be send back to Islamabad...
Im a Sindhi myself. I dont mind that any one comes and starts living in Sindh, as long as he respects the natives. But the IDP's issue is important. Punjab should also take in some refugees. Why are always most IDP's rushed to Sindh,why not Punjab this time ? Ok Send IDP's here But NOT all, we are already turning into a minority in our own province.