by Manzoor Chandio, Karachi, Sindh
The writer works in daily dawn, Karachi and he can be reached at catalyst2pk@yahoo.com
Blog: http://manzoorchandio.blogspot.com/
..Chauvinists with the religious obscurantists is not new phenomenon for Sindhis. From the Pakistan Resolution (1940 Resolution) to the Charter of Democracy, they have routinely flouted making Pakistan a constitutional democracy.
They have always cheated the Sindh, killed Sindhi leaders and looted the resources.. in the name of Pakistan and Islam. The Pakistan Resolution envisaged “sovereign” and “autonomous” states in Pakistan. Sixty years on, we have yet to see “sovereign” and “autonomous” Sindh. How the .. PML-N chauvinists .. recently threw the Charter of Democracy into a dustbin and started blackmailing the PPP government.
Category Archives: Punjab
The Judge And The Fudge
By AHMED QURAISHI
Friday, 20 March 2009.
Courtesy: WWW.AHMEDQURAISHI.COM
Contrary to media hype, both Mr. Zardari and Mr. Sharif have been cut down to size. Zardari has been snubbed, and Nawaz can’t use the judge card anymore. The military effectively ended politicians from exploiting the problem for political gain. Aitzaz is busy trying to return to his party by – believe it or not – hijacking the reinstatement of the judge in favor of PPPP. The two, Zardari and Nawaz, still have to account for shamelessly leading Pakistan to civil war. One blocked Pakistan’s exports by impounding all cargo containers and the other had no problem if his activists snatched and torched cars and public property as long as it served ‘public interest.’ Then there’s the role of Balochistan, a positive note in concluding this report.
LPP strikes at Sharif factories
– Farooq Tariq, Lahore
On 21 March, workers at Choudry Sugar Mills and Hamza Board at Gojra in district Toba Tek Singh, a complete strike was observed. Over 700 workers walked out of the two factories owned by Sharif family to demand for a minimum wage set by the government. They were demanding at least Rupees 6000 minimum wage. At present, many workers were paid less than Rupees 4000.
Led by activists of Labour Party Pakistan, the workers blocked the main road linking Toba Tek Singh to Faisalabad for three hours. Police tried to frighten the workers with repression. However, workers refuse to leave the main road until they speak to Hamza Shahbaz, son of Mian Shahbaz Sharif. Hamza is also a member of national assembly. He is the responsible person for the factories from Sharif family.
This was the first ever strike in the two factories. There are 1000 workers in both factories and majority of them walked out.
Tariq Mehmood, general secretary LPP district Toba and Shabir Ahmad, secretary LPP Gojra and leader of Labour Qaumi Movement (LQM) along with other LPP activists have been trying the process of unionization in the two factories. They had fly posted the poster of Trade Unions Action Committee For Minimum Wages calling for the implementation of Rupees 6000 minimum wage for unskilled labour. That helped to make the first contacts within the factory.
Today, they were leading a first ever strike in a factory where there is no formal union yet.
Hamza Shahbaz spoke to Tariq Mehmood on phone and told him that he respects LPP very much. He assured that a minimum wage will be paid and that all the contract labour will be employed on permanent basis.
A meeting of workers representatives and Hamza Shahbaz is now fixed for 31 March in Gojra.
The workers went back to factory with an assurance that all their problems will be solved. This was a unique incident. No one ever dared to form a union in the two factories next to each other. There was no one ever thinking of strike. However, with the success of the long march, a new wave of enthusiasm has been witnessed among the workers. They decided to speak up and in loud manner.
Workers have agreed to form a union and work with LQM and LPP.
March 22, 2009
Style of politics!
by: GN mughul
.. The then Sindhi Chief Justice of Pakistan, Syed Sajjad Shah was also one of the victim of Nawaz Sharif’s style of politics. Not to that extent but one more Sindhi i.e. former Caretaker Prime Minister Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi was also one of the victims of Nawaz Sharif. The fact is that when the then PP Government headed by Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was dissolved, Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi was inducted as the Caretaker Prime Minister with the promise that after the general elections he would continue as Prime Minister of Pakistan. But, after the elections, Nawaz Sharif rebelled against Ghulam mustafa Jatoi and establishment supported Nawaz Sharif and as the result of behind the scene manouverings Nawaz Sharif was made Prime Minister of Pakistan instead of Ghulam Mustaf Jatoi.
March 22, 2009
So called patriots, G..TV, Punjab card, and Nawaz Shairf Saheb
by Hameed Diplai
It’s difficult to understand that why some people don’t have problem? and why they keep silence when Nawaz Sharif Saheb play Punjab Card and chant the slogan “JAG PANJABI JAG“??
After assassination of PML (Q) played Punjab Card widely in its relief advertisements but no people raise his/her voice against Punjab Card but when some body ask in favor of Sindh, so-called patriots wake up and start criticizing and ridiculing.
I believe that media is sole responsible to aware people about the facts and unfold what is going behind curtain but it does not mean to be a party. I am agreed with the opinion that G.. TV has played a negative role in entire scenario and responsibility to exaggerate the situation lies on the shoulders of G.. team. G.. is working as an agent. G.. management should review the policy and avoid becoming a political party.
Mar 21, 2009
Source: Sindhi e-lists/ e-groups
Opinion: Why don’t we support the great struggle of lawyers?
by: Sabir Hussain
Today most of “intellectuals”, “columnist” “professors”, “and all who have love & sympathy for Sindh & Sindhi nation, demanding from those who struggled for independence of judiciary, to raise issues of Sindh before Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Choudhery in order to prove their struggle justified, but none of them have dare to raise voice on crucial issues of Sindh (like issue of water, NFC, resource, Jobs, Education, peace & justice in every subject, karo kari & wadera shahi, problems of jobs & admission for sindhies in colleges & universities of Karachi, and many more) in front of elected “SINDHI PRESIDENT” whose party is elected by votes of Sindhi people & whom for Sindh & sindhi people have given sacrifices in every age…
These leaders of Sindh who always got power because of the votes & sacrifices of Sindhi people have made life miserable of Sindh, peoples of Sindh are forced to sell their beloved child because there is no water even for KAFN DAFN, number of Sindhi women killed in the name of KARO KARI, there are no roads, no shelter, no food, no jobs for sindhi people, few agents & mafia is destroying education of Sindh since last 30 years in the Universities of Sindh, day by day sindhi people have been murdered socially, politically, economically but these MNAs, MPA, WADERAS and President have never wanted to arrest those people, the heart of Sindh Karachi is no go area for Sindhi people, there is no jobs and admission for Sindhi students in Karachi but these sold agents parliamentarian have done nothing against this illegal & horrors acts.
And even these columnists, journalists, have never even
written on these issues, they have not protest against these issues in front of the government of PPP.
In above said status Quo if Chief Justice wants to build independent judiciary to provide justice & peace to the people of Sindh & Pakistan than what is wrong with it? If he refused to follow illegal actions & orders of a Dictator than what sin has he committed? And when he has taken sueo moto actions against following criminal acts than what illegal & unethical act has Choudhery done?
Remember that:
1)He took against action Federal Minister of PPP Hazar Khan Bijarani as he had done illegal act of SANG CHATTI and sold five younger innocent girls of a poor people.
2)He took actions against the administration of a hospital when a poor non Muslim farmer women dead on the road during her pregnancy because the administration of Hospital refused to admit her.
3)He took action against Qasimabad police as they arrested two younger innocent children.
4)He took action against illegal & unconstitutional sell of Steel Mill, as it was national assets of Sindh,
5)He took action against missing persons,
6)He took action against a police officer on murdered of poor labourer Rasool Bux Birohi
7)He took against Zamindar Abdul Rehman Mari as he murdered the whole family of a farmer Mano Bheel.
These and other positive and legal actions taken by CJ
Iftikhar, without any greedness, he did not differentiate that he is sindhi so he should not provide justice, or any other thing.
I think there is game played by the agencies to keep away
Sindhi people from great struggle of Judiciary, this struggled was done by every Pakistani without any fear & force only to see law & order in the country, every one wants independent judiciary and independent courts in Pakistan.
Now as for as issues of Sindh & Sindhi people concerned
so we don’t forget that every sindhi must play their role and ask elected MNAs, MPA and president to do justice with Sindhi on every issue, we should demand from this PPP Govt to make clear, legal & fair policies on main issues of Sindh, I am regret to say that still PPP Govt has not any clear policy against issues like Education, Water, NFC, Kala Bagh Dam, natural resource, if they have than
must announce to whole Sindhi nation that how they are going to resolve these burning issue.
In last I will say that please don’t misguide whole nation, and don’t irritate them by telling kiddy stories. Focus on struggle to resolve crucial and burning issues of Sindh and demand from your elected members & Govt to be fair with Sindh and do justice with sindhi nation & prove yourself as real son of great soil.
21 March, 2009
Thousands of Sindhis lost jobs when Mr. Nawaz Sharif became Prime Minister twice before!
History Repeats itself – Zardari fifth Sindhi target of Nawaz
by Khalid Hashmani, McLean, Virginia, USA
…No where in the article it says Mr. Zardari and Pir Pagaro are great leaders just because they are Sindhis. The gist of the article is that Mr. Nawaz Sharif and his supporters do not play “politics” by fair rules and have a history of trying to conspire against Sindhi leaders and Sindhis. Remember how many thousands of Sindhis lost jobs when Mr. Nawaz Sharif became Prime Minister twice before!
…Those who like the politics of Mr. Nawaz Sharif or for that matter of fact any one else must do research on what things Mr. Sharif (or others) did for Sindhis and share that information in discussions…
Opinion- Why Sindh is not part of celebrations of Nawaz sharif revolution?- by K.M. Kolachi
BY K. M. KOLACHI
Nawaz Sharif is against Mushrraf and was not ready even to talk and compromise with him. He wanted Mushraf to be ousted at earliest but Mr Nawaz Sharif could not manage such long march during the tenure of Mushraf. In my view this long march was made successful by hidden forces to convey message to USA that Zaradari has no free hand and can be made under pressure any time. In the situation when March appeared to be getting forceful USA came to compromise by accepting Chief Justice .This is not first time that USA has compromised to keep Pakistan as partner in war on terrorism. Before this unaccounted supply of money, recent favor to help Pakistan in getting loan from IMF and also soft attitude on the time of recent dispute between India and Pakistan are more examples of compromise by USA.
Although there is no declaration of any agreement but the indication in press are very clear that matter of Chief Justice was resolved as result of an agreement whereby chief justice will not touch missing peoples issues. In this way the interests of Zardari and USA has been taken care of. On the other hand when Chief Justice has accepted some conditions how he will be able to retain his title of totally neutral. In my view it was play between the strong lobbies within boundry and each of them know their limits.
Pakistani press, anti Sindhi elements and establishment has been making propaganda against Sindhis and has always been considering them hurdle. As result of long propaganda Punjabi and Urdu speaking brothers have same approach for Sindhis. Since Bhutto was Sindhi and peoples party is some times hurdle being united platform of majority Sindhis every one who will be in better position in PPP may it be Zardari or other will be criticized by those lobbies. As result of that propaganda it has become fashion to talk against Zardari. We want him to take all decisions on merit ignoring the powerful factor in country and international forces. The article of Dr. Manzoor Aijaz few days ago on Zardari also seems to be under same approach and fashion and this too has been focused on limited areas under specific purpose. As referred in article that it was political wisdom of Nawaz Sharif that he came to lead the issue. Look at his wisdom in recent past when he two times decided to boycott elections. Once BiBi and other time Zardari convinced him to change the decisions. Where he had been politically if he had boycotted the election.
March 20, 2009
Reinstatement of Judges- vigilance is required
by Saifullah Shaikh, saifoojee@yahoo.co.uk
This is really good analysis,and overall I agree(at personal level),and in my opinion there is no need for celebrations which is premature act—Time will tell us and indicate more about this so-called independent judicial system(INCLUDING RECENT EVENT of restoration of Judges).Yes,this is true that Right Wing parties (WHO ARE PRODUCTS OF MARTIAL LAW OF ZIA REGIME)who have damaged Democracy always—are now celebrating their first success and have proved once again supremacy/upper hand of Punjab dominance in Pakistan? particularly after assassination of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto!.Considering all factors/players involved in Pakistan politics(domestic and internationally) in my best judgment this so called victory of lawyers movement will be short-lived and same politicians particularly from Punjab will create a huge resistance against struggle of provincial autonomy and other national Rights of small provinces.Also we will closely watch the role of present/future Supreme courts(including their composition) in Pakistan and their likely decisions in regard to Rights of small provinces. Again, in my opinion it is still too early to celebrate for Sindhis because sooner or later we may come across another wave of political turmoil/turbulence in the country with involvement of new faces of JI, TI and other products of Martial law like Shareef brothers and so called Sindhi nationalist elements inside Sindh- –therefore extreme vigilance is required here as PAST indicates only disasters in Pakistan politics and who controlled that Past?? Without any doubt,same elements as mentioned above.
Reinstatement of Judges- To discuss ourselves our misgivings
by Kausar Skhan, kausar.skhan@aku.edu
It would help if share analysis, Just saying Punjab has won is a mere statement which is not backed by any reasoning… yes Sharif brothers have won (or PML N has won) because their case will be revisited. Period. Just because they supported the lawyers and the lawyer’s won, does not mean Punjab has won. The lawyers’ movement cut across all provincial, religious and gender differences. They rose as one profession for one cause. I fail to see how we can leap to the conclusion that Punjab has won. If the deadlock had continued, and army stepped in then YES Pakistan would have lost. Now, Pakistan has won. Having said my two bit, I would like to clarify that we need to discuss among ourselves our misgivings , our perceptions and analysis. They are all very important.
Zardari fifth Sindhi target of Nawaz’s rebellion
by G. N. Mughul
KARACHI: It is interesting to note that President Asif Ali Zardari, is fifth Sindhi, holding a vital position in the set-up of Pakistan, against whom PML(N) chief Mian Nawaz Sharif rebelled all along his political career since 1988 till today due to one reason or the other.
The first victim of Mian Nawaz Sharif’s style of politics was soft spoken Sindhi Prime Minister Mohammad Khan Junejo. Junejo was dismissed as Prime Minister of Pakistan by the then Military dictator Gen. Zia ul Haq after an enquiry ordered by the then Prime Minister Junejo in to the causes of the famous Ojhri Camp explosion against the wishes of the Military dictator. When Mohammad Khan Junejo was removed from the office of Prime Minister, he also held the office of President, Muslim League. It was early 1988. At that time Mian Nawaz Sharif was attached with Punjab Government and was rather President Muslim League Punjab. At that time Mian Nawaz Sharif used to be known as blue eyed boy of Gen. Jilani and Gen. Zia ul Haq. Immediately after the removal of Mohammad Khan Junejo as Prime Minister of Pakistan a meeting of the general council of Pakistan Muslim League was called in Lahore. According to the circles close to Junejo group, a majority of those invited to attend the said PML session was recommended by Mian Nawaz Sharif. In this meeting Mohammad Khan Junejo was also removed from the office of the President PML. Afterwards, PML was bifurcated in to two groups viz PML(Junejo group) and PML (anti Junejo group). Hamid Nasir Chattha sided with Junejo and remained with him till the death of Junejo. Afterwards, Junejo group was headed by Hamid Nasir Chattha and with the passage of time Junejo group was renamed as PML(Chattha Group).
The second victim is reported to be
Pir Pagaro. When attempts were made by PML Punjab group headed by Mian Nawaz Sharif to rebel against Pir Pagaro, Pir Pagaro also dissociated from that PML and formed his own group called since then as PML(Functional group). First Secretary General of PML(F) was S. M. Zafar.
In 1988 general elections held after the death of Gen. Zia ul Haq in a plane crash, PPP headed by Benazir Bhutto captured majority of NA seats even in Punjab. At that time Provincial polls used to be held two days after national polls. In the meantime, Nawaz Sharif camp raised the slogan of ” Jag Punjabi Jag – Terey Pag nu lag gaya dagh” and aroused the parochial feelings of the people of Punjab against a Sindhi leader of PP. The said attempt succeeded to the extent that majority Provincial Assembly seats in Punjab were captured by PML(N). As the result, PP formed Government in centre with Benazir Bhutto as the Prime Minister and PML(N) formed government in Punjab with Mian Nawaz Sharif as Chief Minister.
The later developments bear testimony that Nawaz Sharif’s Punjab Government did not recognize Benazir Bhutto as Prime Minister of Pakistan and the then Punjab Government virtually rebelled against PP Government in centre in almost in each field to the extent that whenever Benazir Bhutto, as Prime Minister, visited any area of Punjab she was not provided due protocol by the Punjab Government of Nawaz Sharif.
Courtesy: The Frontier post, March 12, 2009
Pakistan in the weeks to come
by Manzoor shaikh, Karachi
Its a triumph of Pakistan or Punjab, would be proved by the way the Supreme Court and PML – N would function in the weeks to come. Good change must be welcome but one should not forget that only one pillar of the state could not bring about the change in Pakistan. It also creates a risk of creating imbalance between the pillars of state. so be mindful and keep illusions at bay.
Munhji Dil Moen-Jo-Daro- Aror Jo Massat- Qurban Ali Kangle Jo Rooh
By Khalid Hashmani
Washington DC — The Pakistani community of the greater Washington DC area once again witnessed a unique event aimed at bringing two founding nations of Pakistan, Sindhis and Punjabis, to better understand each other. The occasion was the formal introduction of “Amar Kahanian”, translation of several short stories of great Sindhi writer Amaar Jalil published by Dr. Manzur Ejaz from Fairfax, Virginia, USA. The function was held in Fairfax, Virginia on Saturday, 24th November and attended by several members of Sindhis, Punjabis, and other Pakistanis.
In addition to reading of beautiful story “Arror Da Massat” (Aror Jo Massat), Dr. Ejaz gave a short briefing on the activities and programs of “Wichaar” that includes a very impressive Web site and publishing books in Punjabi. He said that Sindh and Punjab have from time immemorial lived side by side and shared a wealth of common culture and literature. Lately, for some right and wrong reasons, the two communities are moving away from each other. He expressed his belief that renewing cultural and literary relationship has great potential for eliminating many misunderstandings. He added that the great Sindhi and Punjabi poets from 12th to 18th centuries, Sachal Sarmast, Buleh Shah, Shah Abdul Latif, Wasris shah, and others shortened many cultural gaps between the two communities and it is time again to renew those links again. Dr. Ejaz, who himself has a mastery of both Punjabi and Sindhi languages, explained the plans of “Wichaar” to further this objective. He said, Wichaar web site has been frequently translation of Sindhi articles into Punjab and vice versa and has become very popular with those who are interested in Punjabi and Sindhi literature. On the publication side, the first book “Amaar Kahanian” was published last last and another Sindhi book that will contain Punjabi translation of short stories by Nasim Kharal is under preparation. The second phase will include translation of two Punjabi books into Sindhis. He said that one of the challenges that “Wichaar” faces is lack of volunteer translators and computer linguist computer experts and any help provided to Wichaar in those contexts will be a great boost to increase the opportunities for literary exchange between Sindhi and Punjabi communities.
During Question-and- answer session, a proposal was made that it will bring Sindhi and Punjabi communities much closer if instead of using Gur-Mukhi or Shah-Mukhi (Persian) scripts, it makes much greater sense to adapt the Sindhi script in Punjabi literature. Another member of audience said that the Sindhi script is a rich script and just like rich array of sounds in Sindhi language, it coves all sounds of the Punjabi language. The Sindhi script has been existence for more than a century and has been the language of the court system and government of Sindh for many years. This step will be a great boost to national integration in Pakistan and help in creating a true national language as Siraiki, Balochi, Pushto, and Urdu too can easily be adapted to the Sindhi script.
The “Amaar Kahanian” book contains the following 11 stories:
Punjabi Name — Sindhi Name
Aror Da Massat — Aror Jo Massat
Tarikh Da Kafan — Tarikh Jo Kafan
Addam Di Maa — Adam Ji Maa
Ik Doar Da Matam — Hik Doar Jo Matam
Mera Dil Moen-Jo-Daro — Munhjo Dil Moen-Jo-Daro
Eis Jaal Which — Hin Jaaria Mei
Qurban Ali Kangle Di Rooh — Qarban Ali Kangle Ji Rooh
Dil Di Dunya — Dil Ji Dunya
Mera Putar Menhdi — Munhjo Puta Menhdi
Barnes Street Da Ghundaa – Barness Street Jo Ghundo
Dharti Di Dhoar, Asman De Tare — Dahrti Ji Doar, Asman Ja Sitara
Visit http://www.wichaar.com to learn more about the mission and objectives of Wichaar Publishers.
May 10, 2010
Indus Asia Online Journal (Click here to go to home page)