‘While there is every reason to build new water reservoirs, but not at the cost of the country itself,’ says Amin Fahim
MAKHDOOM Amin Fahim, of Pakistan People’s Party, believes that following the 1973 Constitution in letter and in spirit is the best way to deal with the feelings of alienation in the three smaller provinces. The following are the excerpts of a recent interview:
Q. How do you perceive the concept of nationalism in Pakistan? Is it a harmful tendency or a positive notion?
A. If we go back in history, we belong to the Indus Valley civilization, and the Indus Valley is from where the history starts for us. And it is that history that has brought us where we are today. However, in the context of Pakistan, there are two types of nationalism; one is within the parameters of a federation, and the other is the way of thinking of people living in the provinces, with each province having its own thinking pattern.
Q. Would you call them four nationalities or four provinces?
A. Provinces. If we call them nationalities, then we will go back to the 1942-47 period. So we believe that Pakistan is a federation comprising four provinces. The people of each province have different feelings and reasons for being Pakistanis. For instance, the Balochs and the Pakhtoons have very different thinking on the issue
In Balochistan, there are Balochs, there are Pakhtoons and even Mohajirs. In Sindh, there are extremist lobbies like Jiye Sindh and other small groups. Their concept of nationalism is that they want to keep their identity intact through separation from Pakistan. We disagree with their policy. We support provincial autonomy and provincial rights provided by the Constitution.
Q. Is nationalism a good thing for the country or a harmful one?
A. If it is balanced, it is good, but if it is on the side of extremism, it is harmful. The extremists say they are separate, and that they want to be independent. If it is balanced and within the provisions of the Constitution, then it is not harmful. If it is within constitutional limits, we support the demands that the people of each province should be given their rights.
Q. Does your party, the PPP, have any problems with nationalism, particularly when nationalists are with you in parliament?
A. No. There is no problem because we believe that people should get their due rights provided to them by the Constitution. When we talk about constitutional rights, then it is acceptable to all. However, there are a few people who have certain demands beyond that. All we say to them is that the correct forum to discuss these issues is parliament. You should bring your problems there, have a discussion and get it resolved.
Q. Does Kalabagh Dam in any way symbolize a kind of nationalism seen in the three smaller provinces?
A. The PPP leadership has a very clear stand on the issue: Kalabagh Dam can only be built with the consensus of all the four provinces. There are two aspects; technical and political. Technically, it is correct to say that Pakistan will need more water reservoirs in the coming days. If there will be no new reservoirs, Pakistan will face severe water shortages and then there will be problems in the provinces as well. Therefore, there should be new reservoirs, but certainly not at the cost of Pakistan.
Q. Do you agree with those who believe the opponents of the dam have feudal vested interests?
A. As I said, the issue has two aspects; technical and political. As far as the political side is concerned, feudalism is used as a popular slogan, but I don’t see the true face of feudalism in the country. If we are honest, we cannot deny that the political side of the dam issue involves the so-called feudals as well as the middle-class people.
Q. Do you think lop-sided development in the country — which, to many eyes, has consigned the three smaller provinces to a kind of perpetual under-development — as one of the major reasons for the rise and sustenance of nationalism in the smaller provinces?
A. The federal government wants to keep everything in its hands. The rights of the provinces have been snatched through the Local Government Ordinance. Through the system in practice, Pakistan has been converted into a one-unit entity, and the federal government has snatched away all powers of taxation from the provinces. Such acts only cause hatred among the people of these provinces. It gives rise to extremists and then people start talking about separation.
Q. As you said, there should be a balance and there should not be extremism. How do you see things at present?Is nationalism heading towards extremism?
A. At present, people believe their political and economic rights are not being safeguarded. They have no political rights, as everything is being bulldozed in the country following the principle of ‘might is right’. People are not getting economic rights, as they do not benefit from the income they earn. Even the NFC Award has not been finalized. Such things always create tension among the provinces.
One example of snatching the political rights of the people is the formation of the Sindh government. By using administrative force and through horse-trading, a majority party has been converted into a minority party and an artificial system has been set up there. So when people will see that their rights are being snatched, then there will be hatred and only hatred in the country. Finally a stage comes when people start thinking that they have had enough of it.
Q. Do you see this type of situation emerging in the country, and do you subscribe to the theory that nationalism is out to dismember the country?
A. If we listen to the speeches of those who speak openly without any fear, it seems that the country’s foundation is shaking. If the rulers do not realize, then, God forbid, there can be a situation like East Pakistan. We are heading towards this situation, and it is our duty to avoid that.
Q. How can it be avoided?
A. It is very easy. If we move according to the provisions of the 1973 Constitution, and if we follow that, we can resolve so many issues. If we suppress it, then we will continue to head towards disaster.
Q. But several nationalist parties do not recognize the 1973 Constitution as a unanimous document, and, according to them, it does not guarantee complete provincial autonomy. What do you say?
A. In the 1973 Constitution, it was decided that the Concurrent List would be revised after 10 years. Today we have reached a point where people are disappointed, fighting and talking about extremism because of the fact that the Constitution and democratically elected governments were not allowed to run the country.
Unfortunately, whenever a military or an un-elected government has been imposed on the nation, it has left a trail of disaster. During the first dictatorial rule of Ayub Khan we surrendered our three rivers. During the reign of the second dictator, General Yahya Khan, we lost half of Pakistan. We are still suffering from the actions taken during the third martial law rule of General Ziaul Haq. The problems like terrorism, Kalashnikov culture, heroin and horse-trading are the gifts of Zia’s 11-year rule. Now let us see, what this martial law, which I hope will be the last martial law, will leave for us.
‘While there is every reason to build new water reservoirs, but not at the cost of the country itself,’ says Amin Fahim 
