THE deep-rooted seeds of provincialism have created chronic social and political disorder in the country. It has promoted inequality, racial discrimination, and polarisation along cultural and ethnic lines in society.

We, as a nation, have badly fallen apart and disintegrated in the wake of this rising provincialism. Regrettably, such sentiments prevent us from building a liberal, unbiased and tolerant society.

Indeed, owing to the long-existing social, cultural, political and linguistic disparity in society, anti-state elements continue to make the most of our vulnerabilities. They try every sinister move to foment violence and discord to destabilise the already polarised society.

There is no denying the fact that Pakistan has been confronting numerous daunting challenges on every front. However, the rising provincialism has further complicated and intensified the chaos in the country.

The Quaid-i-Azam had also asked Muslims not to indulge in provincialism so that we could progress and prosper. If we are to survive as a nation, we have to follow his words.

It is time we stopped falling for provincialism in order to to have a tolerant, sympathetic and harmonious society.

Ammar Aslam Muhammadi
Sukkur

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2020