Sarrows of Sindh – Demands of Minority Provinces finally being Heard in US Policy Advisory Institutions!

by Khalid Hashmani, McLean, Virginia, USA

The 11th Session UN Human Rights Council that began on June 2, 2009 will end on June 19, 2009. The focus of this session is protection and promotion of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social, and cultural, including right to development. Although, since the last elections, the political, social and civil rights in Pakistan have somewhat improved, much needs to be done for our cultural, economic, and right to achieve development. More information on this session can be obtained by visiting http://www2. ohchr.org/ english/bodies/ hrcouncil/ 11session/ agenda.htm.

The over due demand of Sindh and other minority provinces remains un-fulfilled. The economic conditions in Sindh, particularly in rural areas remain critical. Thousands of schools remain closed and poverty has disrupted millions of lives. The Pakistan radio and television continues to ignore Sindhi language and Sindhi cultural programs in its programming. The laws pertaining to the promotion of Sindhi language continue to be flouted in government and private institutions and businesses.

Our struggle to achieve cultural, economic and provincial autonomy rights must continue unabated. We cannot lower our guard just because few Sindhis have become prominent in the federal government. The results so far are not very encouraging as the governments at both the federal and provincial level are only paying lip service to Sindhi rights. In these critical times, it is heartening to know that Mr. Munawar Laghari, a well-known Sindhi Rights activist, will be once again talking about sorrows of Sindh including its cultural and economic plight at the 11th UN session of Human Rights. He has published an array of the following five highly pertinent articles in issue 2 of Sindh Monitor, which will be distributed at the 11th session:

1. “Sindh: The new epicenter of global stability” by Dilshad Bhutto (Senior). 2. “Oil and Gas Resources and Rights of Provinces: A case study of Sindh” by Naseer Memon. 3. “Sindh: A Land of Tolerance” by Manzoor Chandio. 4. “Eroding Religious Harmony” by Salam Dharejo. 5. “Demands of Minority Provinces finally being Heard in US Policy Advisory Institutions” by Khalid Hashmani.

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