THE Pakistani nation would never learn any lessons despite tragedies like that in December 1971.

Earlier, One Unit was established to deprive smaller provinces of their federal powers, and powers of the state were concentrated in Lahore and Rawalpindi (which was Pakistan’s stopgap capital) in the 50s, which disillusioned smaller provinces giving birth to secessionist movements in East Pakistan, Balochistan and Sindh. This was intelligently abetted by India.

The Peshawar tragedy would fizzle out, even though it pointed to the myopic and selfish policies of the present rulers. I do not foresee our brute majority being benign to smaller provinces. I am afraid I do not foresee generous policies of the state to the disadvantaged regions of our homeland.

Despite the Supreme Court’s order, local bodies elections have not been held.

Abdul Saeed Khan Ghori

Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play