KARACHI: Veteran politician and nationalist leader G.M. Syed was embodiment of peace and love who promoted Sufism and non-violence throughout his life and played an important role in reawakening people of Sindh through his clear vision and revolutionary writings, said speakers at Syed’s 21st death anniversary on Sunday.

The anniversary was organised by Jeay Sindh Mahaz at Sachal Goth ground where JSM chairman Riaz Ali Chandio, Dr Niaz Kalani, Rochi Ram, Haji Shafi Jamote, Prof Muslim Shamim, Mumtaz Brohi and others paid tribute to the founder of Sindhi nationalist movement.

The speakers recalled services of the late leader and said Syed Saheb was the first leader in Pakistan who had warned rulers against mixing religion with politics and raised voice against violation of the 1940’s Resolution which was the basis for the creation of Pakistan.

They were also critical of the establishment which not only violated the 1940’s Resolution but also the rights and guarantees given under the 1973 constitution to smaller provinces.

“The 1991 water accord and the limited autonomy over use of natural resources and protection given to the federating units under the 18th Amendment have also been violated,” they pointed out and said that efforts were being made once again to push the country towards a strong centre.

They said the corrupt class had taken over politics and practiced a system of loot and plunder in the country. Sindh had a history of injustice by bureaucracy dominated by people from the big province, they said.

They warned that because of promotion of religious extremism in the past, the country was today facing threats from terrorists.

If Pakistan was to be put on the road to progress and prosperity religion would have to be separated from politics, existence of ethnicities would have to be conceded, Pakistan would have to be made a country of multi-ethnicities and national resources would have to be used for equal development of all federating units instead spending them on the development of only one province, they said.

The speakers also criticised the Sindh government policy for allotting land to housing projects which would result in settling non-Sindhis in Sindh and turn local population into a minority.

They urged people of Sindh to be watchful of conspiracies which were afoot to turn them into a minority and advised them to support Sindh-friendly organisations for the sake of bright future of the province instead of being deceived by attractive but false slogans.

After the speeches, a musical programme was held in which Sindhi artists Bedal Masroor, Beejal Sindh etc presented songs.

SUKKUR: The JSM also organised a ceremony in Old Sukkur on Sunday to observe the 21st death anniversary of G.M. Syed where JSM leaders paid tribute to the nationalist leader.

They said that Syed Saheb united Sindhi people and sensitised them to their rights. Sindh was today passing through a critical situation and its resources were being usurped.

Thar was rich in black gold but it had been turned into a slaughterhouse of children while rulers were acting like kings who were interested only in amassing wealth by hook or by crook, they said.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2016