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HYDERABAD, March 22: Nationalist leaders of Sindh, Balochistan and the Seraiki belt have condemned excesses against oppressed nations and the proposed conversion of divisions into provinces.
They were speaking at a function organized by the Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party in Qasimabad here on Sunday night to commemorate the motherland day. Thousands of people attended the function that continued till 1:30am.
In his speech, STPP chairman Dr Qadri Magsi, who is also the provincial president of the Pakistan Oppressed Nations Movement, said problems of Sindh were increasing and the time had come for the people to launch a struggle for their rights.
He observed that the struggle for water was in fact a fight for survival of the people of the province. He said those who supported Kalabagh dam and greater Thal canal projects would be considered traitors of Sindh.
Opposing the opening of the Khokhrapar route, Dr Magsi feared that Sindhis would be converted into a minority and they would be deprived of their resources if the route was opened.
Criticizing the proposed creation of provinces at divisional level, he said no one had the right to tamper with the historic identity of the nations. He said parliamentarians should reject any bill aimed at creating new provinces.
Dr Magsi announced that a strategy about the future of Sindh would be evolved at his party's "World Sindhi Congress" on June 26 and 27. Pukhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief and PONAM vice-president Mehmood Khan Achakzai said the country was in the grip of crisis due to wrong policies of the rulers.
He said the nations should be ensured equal rights and made owners of their own resources. PONAM general-secretary Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah said the nations would not accept the creation of new provinces.
Seraiki leader Abdul Majeed Kanjhu said the oppressed nations, including Sindhis, Balochis and Seraikis, were in majority but they were being deprived of their rights. He said they should launch a joint struggle for their rights.
Balochistan National Party leader Habib Jalib said Sindh was paying 60 per cent revenue to the centre but it was not getting its water share. He said protest processions and meetings were not enough to resolve problems confronting the provinces.
The others who spoke on the occasion included SNF general- secretary Gul Mohammad Jakhrani, Sindh Democratic Party chairman Yousuf Laghari, Sindh Hari Committee president Azhar Jatoi, People's Party Parliamentarians leader Maula Bux Chandio, Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Afzal Gujjar, Qamar Bhatti, Maulana Ubedullah Bhutto, Sultan Mandokhel, Syed Zain Shah and Maulana Azizullah Bohyo.
RESOLUTIONS: The gathering demanded that a neo-social contract should be signed by federating units in accordance with the 1940 resolution and the provinces should be given be autonomy.
It observed that due to imposition of martial laws and frequent amendments to the Constitution, especially the 17th amendment, the 1973 Constitution had become redundant.
It demanded that fresh elections should be held and a new constitution, ensuring equal rights to the provinces, be drafted. It rejected the formation of new provinces on divisional basis and demanded that the national unity of Sindh, Balochistan, NWFP and the Seraiki belt should be kept intact.
The gathering was of the opinion that Kalabagh dam, greater Thal canal and Gwadar projects would destroy the economy and agriculture of Sindh, Balochistan, NWFP and the Seraiki belt and demanded that work on these projects should be stopped and they should be shelved for ever.
It further demanded that the National Finance Commission award should be announced on the basis of revenue generation, poverty and needs of the provinces. It also opposed the opening of the Khokhrapar route.
The gathering demanded that Sindhi should be made official language and medium of instruction in schools of the province. It called upon the government to take measures to control price hike, poverty and unemployment. It also called for dissolution of Wapda.
