A superficial look over the current situation might give the impression that the sun is setting on the idea of ‘Hazara Province’, as many consider it a reactionary movement against the renaming of NWFP as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The rift between the flag bearers of the Hazara movement seems to support this point of view.
Ordinary people and politicians are optimistic that the issue would resurface, soon after the elections.
“The fire is burning but you do not see the flames,” said Baba Haider Zaman, the fatherly figure in the struggle for the establishment of Hazara Province, “This election will prove to be the turning point of history of this nation.”
He said, “Any party or candidate – not raising the issue of Hazara province in their election campaigns would be greeted with shoes by the masses,” adding, “The elections would be a first step towards the formation of our province.”
Though yet not announced but Baba Haider Zaman conceded that he would contest elections from both NA-17, Abbottabad city, and NA-18, Abbottabad and Havelian, from his own party, named Tehrik Suba Hazara (TSH).
Both the seats are held by the PML-N, but the entry of Baba in the contest, especially in NA-18 would create some problems for the PML-N’s supremacy and many suspect that he might disturb the voting pattern and help other party candidates to sneak through.
“The PML-N did not take the issue of Hazara province seriously, when the NWFP was being renamed,” he said adding, “We on the other hand are not bound by the agenda coming from Lahore or Dera Ismail Khan.”
However, on the other hand, the registration of TSH has damaged the cause.
“The massive protests and the energetic participation of the masses for the establishment of Hazara Province, witnessed in 2010, was only because all the groups and parties were united for the cause,” said Qazi Azhar advocate, the chairman of Hazara Quami Mahaz (HQM), who is among the pioneers to raise the voice for a separate identity, “Soon after Baba jee got the Tehrik registered, the kingpins of major political groups left the forum – because nobody wanted to change their affiliations.” Qazi Azhar, expressed disappointment over the rift in the movement.
Despite commanding respect and honour in political and social circles, the candidates of HQM have been at the tail end in the list of those gaining votes; nevertheless in an election scenario both parties would divide each others votes.
“We are not into politics with the hope to win elections – but to raise awareness among the masses for our cause,” Qazi Azhar said.
The first major activity related to a Hazara nation, surfaced in early 1980s when Qazi Azhar along with a group of friends founded the Hazara Students Federation in Karachi, but their activities were overshadowed by other powerful groups.
Similarly, back home, Qazi Azhar and all his friends could not muster support among his people on ethnic lines, after establishing the HQM, in 1987, and residents of Hazara wholeheartedly voted in favour of Pakistan Muslim League.
The situation on the surface shows that all the flag bearers of the cause have decided to choose their own path; however, seasoned politicians differ over this notion.
“This is a hard fact and it happens all the time – now when every party seems to be quite because everybody is preparing for the elections,” said a senior PML-N member from Haripur, adding, “But soon after the elections, all losing candidates would take up the cause and hit the streets for publicity.”
The views are supported by the seasoned politician and several MNAs, Sardar Mohammad Yousuf, who is the chairman Suba Hazara Tehrik (SHT), a breakaway faction from the TSH, led by Baba Haider Zaman.
“We are moving steadily and quietly towards the goal and SHT is lobbying with all the parties to exert their strength after the elections,” Sardar Mohammad Yousuf said, whose son is currently PML- MNA, from Mansehra.
He said only because of awareness the issue has been highlighted, MQM has extended its support to Hazara province.
“This way they have annoyed the ANP, but it is also to woo the massive Hazara population in Karachi,” he added.
Though, the PML-N has been reluctant to express its open support to the SHT but all the political parties in Hazara, including the Jamaat-i- Islami, JUI-F, PTI etc are on board.
“Whoever wins the provincial and national assembly seats from Hazara will raise the issue in the assemblies,” said the PML-N leader, adding, “and the out of assembly activities would pressurise the PML-N to at least speak in favour of the Hazara province.”
Compared to the energetic approach of Baba Haider Zaman, the sober and hawkish looking Sardar Yousuf discredits the use of force, strikes and road blocks to highlight the cause and said that he was also in touch with other lobbies and power brokers.
Due to the strategic location of Hazara Division, including the key highway to China and scores of military installations, it is generally considered by the masses that security agencies do not like to see riots and disturbances in Hazara.
“I cannot comment over this,” Sardar Yousuf said, “But we have strength here as the military and security forces would feel more at ease dealing with the local authorities in Abbottabad, if Hazara is made a province.”
However, the legal course related to the creation of a new province is not only complex but would also require the support of the majority party in the relevant provincial assembly.
