KARACHI, July 26: The Jeay Sindh Mahaz demanded that the country should be declared a 'multi-nation' state, and Sindhi, Baloch, Pukhtoon, Seraiki and Punjabi areas be recognized as independent units of the state.

This demand was made at the JSM's foundation-day meeting held at Sachal Goth on Sunday. The meeting presided over by JSM chairman Abdul Khalique Junejo also demanded that Sindhi language should be recognized as the official language of the province and it should be adopted as medium of instruction in its educational institutions.

Mr Junejo criticized the present government system, alleging that federation was encroaching upon the rights of Sindh. Opposing the construction of Kalabagh dam and Greater Thal canal, the meeting called upon the people to boycott those elements who were supporting these projects.

The meeting also opposed the rehabilitation of immigrants in Sindh and called for legal restrictions against the employment of such people under the provisions of international law.

It also demanded action against the elements involved in extortion of money and land grabbing. Earlier, the speakers condemned the present system of governance, alleging that all powers had been vested in Islamabad and resources of Sindh were being ruthlessly exploited.

They called upon the people of Sindh to join the JSM's struggle for the protection of their political and economic rights. They castigated those Sindhi politicians who talked about Sindh's rights but were actually supporting anti-Sindh forces in exploitation of the province.

Condemning the duplicity of these politicians, Mahaz urged the people of Sindh to make these opportunists and selfish elements accountable. They called upon the people of Sindh to stand up for their rights by exercising their right to self-determination, so that they could become a respectable nation in the world.

The meeting was also addressed by secretary-general of the National Workers' Party, Yusuf Musti khan, who claimed that Sindh and Balochistan were not administrative units but had the historical status of independent states and demanded to restore this status.

He said: "Kala Bagh dam is purely an anti-Sindh project which is strongly condemned," and vowed to stand with Sindhi people in their fight for rights. Dr Dodu Mehri, Hafiz Mohammad Siddiq Memon and Hashim Khosoo also spoke on the occasion.