Speech of (JSQM) Chairmen Freedom March for Indpendence form Pakistan 7th November 2009
Sindhudesh is the Destiny G M Syed is the Guide
My fellow country men,
From the bottom of my heart I welcome you, the heirs of Sindh who upon a call from your motherland, gather here from different nooks and corners of your beloved Sindh to its capital city of Karachi.
Sindhudesh is a blessed country of South Asia, endowed by nature with fertile lands, enriching water and ocean coast. Due to these blessings, its people ascended the steps of civilization and progress. The fertile land, abundant water, waste meadows, sweet lakes and magnificent ocean have blessed its people with trade and commerce. But these riches have also attracted imperialistic endeavours from outside people keen on controlling Sindh and exploiting its natural resources and production means. Some imperialistic forces have come and plundered our lands and returned to their homes. Others stayed and established their rule for longer periods. Greeks, Persians, Arabs, Mughals, and Britishers are examples of these colonizing powers. But history shows that Sindhis never yield to subjugation for long and sacrifice their lives for freedom of its people from the colonizing forces.
Friends,
At the time of freedom from Britishers, sovereignty for Sindh seemed within reach, but alas! Sindh instead, had to see the sorrowful days of Punjabi hegemony under the guise of inclusion in the State of Pakistan.
The peoples of Pakistan are culturally not a single nation, and their traditions, languages along with political and economical interests are not always aligned. Despite belonging to the Islamic religion, religious attitudes and perceptions are astronomically different. It is a mistake to consider Pakistan as a single homogenous nation or a state. Pakistan was created on the basis of hate (exclusion) and as an institution for Punjabi dominance of other oppressed nations. Pakistan, a state formed on the basis of religion poses grave danger to its own people and for humanity at large.
Remember that nature has made our past glorious and so too, will our future be glorious. Sindh is a place where all the races of the world can live together and become a single nation. Its archaeological history shows the traces of Dravidian, Aryan, Sami, and Mongol races. Not only different races but people of different religions and philosophies amalgamated in a unique fashion and influenced each other.
Remember too that both the Vedic and Sufi philosophies influenced each other in our land. On one hand Sufis questioned the idol worshipping of the Vedic yogis and on the other, Muslim dervishes incorporated lessons of asceticism and incorporated singing and music as an essential part of Sufi tradition. With mutual respect and understanding, Hindu and Muslim faiths came closer. Sufis of this land, under the guidance of Shah Latif, preached the ideals of “Unity in Plurality” and promoted love and peace among peoples of different faiths. Unlike many parts of historical South Asia, there was rarely any hate or segregation among castes in Sindh.
Honourable Sons and daughters of Sindh!
Sindh under Pakistan is facing enormous turmoil. The most distressing is Pakistan’s orchestrated change of Sindh’s demographics. Within its 57,131 sq miles of land, the population of Sindh has grown from 5 million to 50 million, half of which are from outside Sindh.
This excessive load of migration and settlement has created and deepened acute poverty levels in Sindh. Sindh’s land, industries, ports, jobs, natural resources and revenues are all under the control of Punjab and its Army. Pakistan obtains 75% of its revenue from Sindh and uses it to strengthen its Nuclear arsenal and Army institution.
Out of 1600 billion rupees (US $ 20 billion) collected in taxes, 1200 billion rupees (US $15 billion) are generated from Sindh. Furthermore, Sindh also generated 70% of Pakistan’s total oil production and 65% of its total gas production.
My Sindhi fellows,
Nature has endowed our land with oil, gas, coal etc. 93% of gas generated in Sindh is used by Punjab for its own development—its factories are running on the gas provided by Sindh. Millions of oil-generated revenue is also appropriated by Punjab.
These appropriated funds are not only used to strengthen the army’s infrastructure and nuclear arsenal but also to build mega dams and canals intended to divert the water flow from Sindh to Punjab. Since its beginnings, the economy of Sindh has depended on water, agriculture and fisheries. Punjab’s exploitation by blocking water to Sindh is not only causing vast devastation and drought but also destroying the means of employment and pushing our people to utmost misery and poverty.
My dear fellows,
If the revenue generated by Coal mining in Sindh were to be spent in it’s entirety on Sindh, that alone would make Sindh prosperous. Its destiny can be changed. But alas! In such a fertile and resourceful country like Sindh, its people live in starvation and misery. Some of them are forced to sell their own kids because they are too expensive to feed!
In the 62 years of Pakistan’s existence, Sindh has got nothing but starvation, misery, unemployment, and suicides. The military operations of 1983 and 1986 against the Movement of Restoration of Democracy, the murders of Sindhi students and activists in Thori Phatak, Shah Bunder, and the heinous murders of our leaders, Murtaza Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto—the daughter of Sindh, Smailullah Kalhoro, Mushtaq Ahmed Khaskeli and the torture and imprisonment of numerous other workers are just a few examples of the systematic state aggression.
Friends,
This establishment of Pakistan State, created on the basis of religion and with its religious-centric constitution denies the nationhood of Sindh and makes us all a minority vís a vís Punjab and oppresses and subjugates the Sindhi nation. Democracy is a popular political paradigm, but it should never be used to justify the hegemony of a numerically larger nation over a numerically smaller nation. In North America, Canada and USA both share similar language, religion and culture, yet they are separate and sovereign nations. Similarly, in South America despite the same Spanish language and heritage, countries remain sovereign and distinct. So is this true for European nations. They all have their own countries and states and are not willing to surrender their sovereignty to other larger nations. Why do we Sindhis have to resign our Nationhood in the name of a numerical supremacy, to a hegemonic power disguised as a ‘democracy’?
Pakistan is a menace to the entire world because its existence perpetuates religious divisions and hatred towards non-Muslims. Look around the world to the sad state of affairs and you will find two main reasons for unrest; one is the ill-attempt to make religion a base of nationhood and state. The second reason is the domination of majority groups over minority groups under the guise of a number-based democracy.
Remember that in 1952 –in the midst of 20th century-- our leader Saeen G M Syed expressed his apprehension against possible rising religiosity and pan-Islamism in the South Asia at an international conference in Vienna. It has been proven now in 21st century that Pakistan is the hub of terrorism and extremism and has become a danger to the world peace.
Dear Compatriots,
Pakistan thrives on religious fundamentalism. Its promotion of religious extremism has created conflict and terrorism in South Asia and throughout the world.
Thus we declare that the struggle against terrorism necessitates the formation of Sindhudesh for its secular people promote international peace, religious tolerance and democracy.
Even in the decades of subjugation, when we witnessed the national looting of Sindhi resources, we did not waver from the path of non-violence and decency. This is why we trust that our “Message of Sindh,” will ensure the unity, peace and prosperity of the world.
Friends,
Sindh is the land of peace and love, Sindhis have always respected the norms of international peace. When Sindhis were sovereign rulers of their own land, they never engaged in creating weapons of destruction but instead contributed to the progress of the civilization. Today, Punjab takes advantage of Sindh’s subjugated status and with Sindh’s own resources, develops nuclear bombs and other weapons that promote religious militancy and terrorist attacks. Punjab has made this region a threat hub to international humanity. We want the international community to know that as an independent nation of Sindhudesh, we shall strive to fulfill the historical and philosophical mission of the Message of Sindh, envisioned by our great guide and leader Saeen G M Syed. We will use all our energies and resources to make Sindh a center place for the unity, peace and prosperity of human kind and will bridge the gap between the East and West.
Friends,
Baluchs are fighting for their homeland and for their national self-determination. Independence is the unalienable right of Baloch as well Sindhi Nations. According to the established charter of United Nations, we declare that:
• We Sindhis are a historically distinct Nation
• Sindh has historically been a sovereign country
• Freedom is our basic, inalienable human right
• Our freedom is possible and is destined (unavoidable)
This declaration of independence has already been stated by Saeen G M Syed. We reiterate it here today to all those powerful countries and nations currently burdened by terrorism: If Sindhudesh does not become a free and sovereign country; Punjab will continue with its terrorist plots and will succeed in disseminating terrorism throughout the world.
People who migrated to Sindh after the partition in 1947, we invite you as brothers and sisters of Sindhis, and remind you that nature has brought you into the lap of mother Sindh – the land of love and Sufi temperament. We invite you to join native Sindhis and embrace the interests of Sindh and disown Pakistan with its religious extremism. We invite you to leave behind any complex of superiority and join us in the struggle for the freedom of Sindh and its people as one united force. Come join us in our national struggle and pay tribute to the land which provided you with shelter and adopted you as its own.
Remember, this great and grand gathering today serves as a historical referendum for the freedom of Sindh. Sindhi s are gathered here today in Karachi collectively to clearly express the frustration with their subjugation and to make this call:
Your country, my country, Sindhudesh Sindhudesh
Your guide, my guide G M Syed, G M Syed
Pakistan – Not needed, Pakistan Not Needed
We appeal to USA, UK, EU and all other international institutions, human rights organizations and to all conscience people to acknowledge this historical referendum of the Sindhi people, and stop their support for Pakistan, their military aid to Pakistan, and to begin playing a sincere and engaged role in the freedom of oppressed and subjugated nations of Sindh and Balochistan.
Representing the Sindhi nation, we present our views and recommendations to the international community in the interest of global peace, stability and prosperity.
1. As the nations on the basis of religion are illogical and forceful, therefore, in accordance with the concept of ‘nation’ recognised by the UN, Sindhi and Baloch should be recognised as separate nations and should be allowed to obtain their independence through the dissolution of Pakistan.
2. The UN should be reorganised and its powerless institutions should be made effective.
3. Global conflicts and wars should be resolved collectively on the basis of mutual considerations.
4. Non-violence and mutual respect must substitute brutal force as a means to reconcile differences.
5. Amidst rapidly changing geographical and economic climates at a global, regional and national scale—the pre-1843 independent status of Sindh should be re-established to recognize the continued historical existence of Sindh and Sindhi nation.
This call for sovereignty of Sindh encompasses the emancipation of women as well as other marginalized religious minorities and seeks to unite all sections of Sindhi society.
Bashir Ahmad Qureshi,
Chairman Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz
Karachi, November 7th, 2009
My fellow country men,
From the bottom of my heart I welcome you, the heirs of Sindh who upon a call from your motherland, gather here from different nooks and corners of your beloved Sindh to its capital city of Karachi.
Sindhudesh is a blessed country of South Asia, endowed by nature with fertile lands, enriching water and ocean coast. Due to these blessings, its people ascended the steps of civilization and progress. The fertile land, abundant water, waste meadows, sweet lakes and magnificent ocean have blessed its people with trade and commerce. But these riches have also attracted imperialistic endeavours from outside people keen on controlling Sindh and exploiting its natural resources and production means. Some imperialistic forces have come and plundered our lands and returned to their homes. Others stayed and established their rule for longer periods. Greeks, Persians, Arabs, Mughals, and Britishers are examples of these colonizing powers. But history shows that Sindhis never yield to subjugation for long and sacrifice their lives for freedom of its people from the colonizing forces.
Friends,
At the time of freedom from Britishers, sovereignty for Sindh seemed within reach, but alas! Sindh instead, had to see the sorrowful days of Punjabi hegemony under the guise of inclusion in the State of Pakistan.
The peoples of Pakistan are culturally not a single nation, and their traditions, languages along with political and economical interests are not always aligned. Despite belonging to the Islamic religion, religious attitudes and perceptions are astronomically different. It is a mistake to consider Pakistan as a single homogenous nation or a state. Pakistan was created on the basis of hate (exclusion) and as an institution for Punjabi dominance of other oppressed nations. Pakistan, a state formed on the basis of religion poses grave danger to its own people and for humanity at large.
Remember that nature has made our past glorious and so too, will our future be glorious. Sindh is a place where all the races of the world can live together and become a single nation. Its archaeological history shows the traces of Dravidian, Aryan, Sami, and Mongol races. Not only different races but people of different religions and philosophies amalgamated in a unique fashion and influenced each other.
Remember too that both the Vedic and Sufi philosophies influenced each other in our land. On one hand Sufis questioned the idol worshipping of the Vedic yogis and on the other, Muslim dervishes incorporated lessons of asceticism and incorporated singing and music as an essential part of Sufi tradition. With mutual respect and understanding, Hindu and Muslim faiths came closer. Sufis of this land, under the guidance of Shah Latif, preached the ideals of “Unity in Plurality” and promoted love and peace among peoples of different faiths. Unlike many parts of historical South Asia, there was rarely any hate or segregation among castes in Sindh.
Honourable Sons and daughters of Sindh!
Sindh under Pakistan is facing enormous turmoil. The most distressing is Pakistan’s orchestrated change of Sindh’s demographics. Within its 57,131 sq miles of land, the population of Sindh has grown from 5 million to 50 million, half of which are from outside Sindh.
This excessive load of migration and settlement has created and deepened acute poverty levels in Sindh. Sindh’s land, industries, ports, jobs, natural resources and revenues are all under the control of Punjab and its Army. Pakistan obtains 75% of its revenue from Sindh and uses it to strengthen its Nuclear arsenal and Army institution.
Out of 1600 billion rupees (US $ 20 billion) collected in taxes, 1200 billion rupees (US $15 billion) are generated from Sindh. Furthermore, Sindh also generated 70% of Pakistan’s total oil production and 65% of its total gas production.
My Sindhi fellows,
Nature has endowed our land with oil, gas, coal etc. 93% of gas generated in Sindh is used by Punjab for its own development—its factories are running on the gas provided by Sindh. Millions of oil-generated revenue is also appropriated by Punjab.
These appropriated funds are not only used to strengthen the army’s infrastructure and nuclear arsenal but also to build mega dams and canals intended to divert the water flow from Sindh to Punjab. Since its beginnings, the economy of Sindh has depended on water, agriculture and fisheries. Punjab’s exploitation by blocking water to Sindh is not only causing vast devastation and drought but also destroying the means of employment and pushing our people to utmost misery and poverty.
My dear fellows,
If the revenue generated by Coal mining in Sindh were to be spent in it’s entirety on Sindh, that alone would make Sindh prosperous. Its destiny can be changed. But alas! In such a fertile and resourceful country like Sindh, its people live in starvation and misery. Some of them are forced to sell their own kids because they are too expensive to feed!
In the 62 years of Pakistan’s existence, Sindh has got nothing but starvation, misery, unemployment, and suicides. The military operations of 1983 and 1986 against the Movement of Restoration of Democracy, the murders of Sindhi students and activists in Thori Phatak, Shah Bunder, and the heinous murders of our leaders, Murtaza Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto—the daughter of Sindh, Smailullah Kalhoro, Mushtaq Ahmed Khaskeli and the torture and imprisonment of numerous other workers are just a few examples of the systematic state aggression.
Friends,
This establishment of Pakistan State, created on the basis of religion and with its religious-centric constitution denies the nationhood of Sindh and makes us all a minority vís a vís Punjab and oppresses and subjugates the Sindhi nation. Democracy is a popular political paradigm, but it should never be used to justify the hegemony of a numerically larger nation over a numerically smaller nation. In North America, Canada and USA both share similar language, religion and culture, yet they are separate and sovereign nations. Similarly, in South America despite the same Spanish language and heritage, countries remain sovereign and distinct. So is this true for European nations. They all have their own countries and states and are not willing to surrender their sovereignty to other larger nations. Why do we Sindhis have to resign our Nationhood in the name of a numerical supremacy, to a hegemonic power disguised as a ‘democracy’?
Pakistan is a menace to the entire world because its existence perpetuates religious divisions and hatred towards non-Muslims. Look around the world to the sad state of affairs and you will find two main reasons for unrest; one is the ill-attempt to make religion a base of nationhood and state. The second reason is the domination of majority groups over minority groups under the guise of a number-based democracy.
Remember that in 1952 –in the midst of 20th century-- our leader Saeen G M Syed expressed his apprehension against possible rising religiosity and pan-Islamism in the South Asia at an international conference in Vienna. It has been proven now in 21st century that Pakistan is the hub of terrorism and extremism and has become a danger to the world peace.
Dear Compatriots,
Pakistan thrives on religious fundamentalism. Its promotion of religious extremism has created conflict and terrorism in South Asia and throughout the world.
Thus we declare that the struggle against terrorism necessitates the formation of Sindhudesh for its secular people promote international peace, religious tolerance and democracy.
Even in the decades of subjugation, when we witnessed the national looting of Sindhi resources, we did not waver from the path of non-violence and decency. This is why we trust that our “Message of Sindh,” will ensure the unity, peace and prosperity of the world.
Friends,
Sindh is the land of peace and love, Sindhis have always respected the norms of international peace. When Sindhis were sovereign rulers of their own land, they never engaged in creating weapons of destruction but instead contributed to the progress of the civilization. Today, Punjab takes advantage of Sindh’s subjugated status and with Sindh’s own resources, develops nuclear bombs and other weapons that promote religious militancy and terrorist attacks. Punjab has made this region a threat hub to international humanity. We want the international community to know that as an independent nation of Sindhudesh, we shall strive to fulfill the historical and philosophical mission of the Message of Sindh, envisioned by our great guide and leader Saeen G M Syed. We will use all our energies and resources to make Sindh a center place for the unity, peace and prosperity of human kind and will bridge the gap between the East and West.
Friends,
Baluchs are fighting for their homeland and for their national self-determination. Independence is the unalienable right of Baloch as well Sindhi Nations. According to the established charter of United Nations, we declare that:
• We Sindhis are a historically distinct Nation
• Sindh has historically been a sovereign country
• Freedom is our basic, inalienable human right
• Our freedom is possible and is destined (unavoidable)
This declaration of independence has already been stated by Saeen G M Syed. We reiterate it here today to all those powerful countries and nations currently burdened by terrorism: If Sindhudesh does not become a free and sovereign country; Punjab will continue with its terrorist plots and will succeed in disseminating terrorism throughout the world.
People who migrated to Sindh after the partition in 1947, we invite you as brothers and sisters of Sindhis, and remind you that nature has brought you into the lap of mother Sindh – the land of love and Sufi temperament. We invite you to join native Sindhis and embrace the interests of Sindh and disown Pakistan with its religious extremism. We invite you to leave behind any complex of superiority and join us in the struggle for the freedom of Sindh and its people as one united force. Come join us in our national struggle and pay tribute to the land which provided you with shelter and adopted you as its own.
Remember, this great and grand gathering today serves as a historical referendum for the freedom of Sindh. Sindhi s are gathered here today in Karachi collectively to clearly express the frustration with their subjugation and to make this call:
Your country, my country, Sindhudesh Sindhudesh
Your guide, my guide G M Syed, G M Syed
Pakistan – Not needed, Pakistan Not Needed
We appeal to USA, UK, EU and all other international institutions, human rights organizations and to all conscience people to acknowledge this historical referendum of the Sindhi people, and stop their support for Pakistan, their military aid to Pakistan, and to begin playing a sincere and engaged role in the freedom of oppressed and subjugated nations of Sindh and Balochistan.
Representing the Sindhi nation, we present our views and recommendations to the international community in the interest of global peace, stability and prosperity.
1. As the nations on the basis of religion are illogical and forceful, therefore, in accordance with the concept of ‘nation’ recognised by the UN, Sindhi and Baloch should be recognised as separate nations and should be allowed to obtain their independence through the dissolution of Pakistan.
2. The UN should be reorganised and its powerless institutions should be made effective.
3. Global conflicts and wars should be resolved collectively on the basis of mutual considerations.
4. Non-violence and mutual respect must substitute brutal force as a means to reconcile differences.
5. Amidst rapidly changing geographical and economic climates at a global, regional and national scale—the pre-1843 independent status of Sindh should be re-established to recognize the continued historical existence of Sindh and Sindhi nation.
This call for sovereignty of Sindh encompasses the emancipation of women as well as other marginalized religious minorities and seeks to unite all sections of Sindhi society.
Bashir Ahmad Qureshi,
Chairman Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz
Karachi, November 7th, 2009
Speech (JSQM) Chairmen Freedom March for Indpendence form Pakistan 7th November 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
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