The latest unrest in Sindh which led to civil war between Sindh police and the Pakistan army is a testimony of a long deep-rooted difference between Sindh and the rest of Pakistan mindset(predominantly Pakistani Punjab)
The 1946 provincial election was a clear indication of how Sindh rejected the idea of Pakistan as the whole election was fought by the Muslim league on the “Demand for a separate Muslim land”. Muslim league could only get 27 out of 60 seats in Sindh. Even after the formation of Pakistan, Sindh was constantly neglected by the authorities. despite Karachi, the capital of Sindh was the biggest trading and business hub, Pakistan chose Islamabad to be the capital of Pakistan. The term muhajir was slapped upon those people who migrated from India and the majority established themselves in Sindh province.
By sidelining the Sindh Since 1947 Pakistan has 2 power centers namely Islamabad as the capital of Pakistan and Rawalpindi, the Army GHQ(Generals Head-Quarters), both are in Punjab province of Pakistan. people of Sindh are often looked upon from a suspicious mind by Pakistani Punjab and their rulers. Sindh, especially Karachi the capital of Sindh has seen many such tragic and barbaric incidents over the years. From numerous false operations by the Pakistani army in Karachi to the order of killing of Benazir Bhutto( ex-PM of Pakistan hailing from Sindh province) in 2007 by the army dictator Parvez Musharraf. All these actions have shaken the beliefs of Sindhi people upon the idea of Pakistan and they started to realize that they need a separate land “Sindhudesh”.
Political witch-hunting of Sindhi politicians is not new for politicians hail from Sindh. MQM(Muttahida Qaumi Movement) is a burning example of that. MQM which works predominantly in Sindh province and raise its voice for Muhajirs of Sindh was always targetted by the Pakistan army. Altaf Hussain, the de-facto head of MQM had fled Pakistan and took political asylum in the UK because of constant harassment by the Pakistan army. subsequently, MQM called for a boycott of the 2018 Pakistan general election and the polling vote percentage has fallen down from 55% in the 2013 general election to only 40% in the general election in Karachi(the biggest city of Pakistan), only goes to show that the people of Sindh have lost their faith on Pakistan and its army.
Moreover, the 2018 general election of Pakistan is widely regarded as a rigged election done by the Pakistan army to install a puppet govt. of Imran Khan so that the Pakistan army can rule Pakistan from behind the curtain. The final nail in the coffin came when the Pakistan army tried to falsely accuse the ex-PM of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif in a corruption case. Nawaz Sharif is always seen as a PM who has a difference in opinion against the army.
The latest Unrest in Sindh unfolded when both principal opposition parties namely PML-N of Nawaz Sharif and PPP of late Benazir Bhutto joined hands and decided to protest against the puppet govt. of Imran khan. In the rally, they not only criticized Imran Khan but condemned the Pakistan army openly and told the world how the Pakistan army rigged the 2018 general election to grab power from behind. This must-have irked the Pakistan army and they IG(police) Sindh to arrest the husband of Maryam Nawaz who is at the helm of protest and speaking fearlessly against the Pakistan army. But After IG Sindh denial to order the arrest of the husband of Maryam Nawaz, the Pakistan army got the order from Deputy IG Sindh and arrested Safdar Awan(husband of Maryam Nawaz), To which IG Sindh protested against the Pakistan army and tendered his resignation, subsequently many Sindh police officers have tendered their resignation. There is now severe anger among the Sindhi police against the Pakistan army and the people of Sindh took this to the streets to protest against the Pakistan army.
Last but not the least, the Indian national anthem still has the mention of the word “Sindh”. Indian govt. can not turn a blind eye to the unrest in our immediate neighboring countries. India has played a key role in the past including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Maldives. being the biggest democracy in the world India must ensure peace and tranquility in our neighbors and to ensure the smooth practice of democracy. Sindh was not made in 1947 rather it’s home to 7000 BC mehrghar civilization and 5000 Bc Mohenjodaro. But the false nationhood idea of Pakistan has ruined one of the oldest civilizations of the world that is Sindh. But people of Sindh have had enough it seems. I hope Sindh liberates itself from the claws of rogue state Pakistan.
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