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Suffering of Sindhis continue under PPP regime: SANA
by Aziz Narejo, TX, USA
Sindhi Association of North America (SANA) has said that the people of Sindh who had lived under discriminatory governments for many years had elected PPP with expectations that it would end their sufferings when it came to power. But it is very unfortunate that the plight of the people has continued unabated under the PPP government.
In the resolutions adopted at the 25th annual convention that just ended in Saint Louis, MO, SANA said the surrender of duly elected government to the black mail of MQM has worsened the situation as MQM’s domination of the provincial government continues and the development funds are either being diverted to large cities or withheld by the government. It said that Sindhis continue to feel helpless at the inability of the elected PPP government to fulfill the promises that the party made to their constituencies.
SANA demanded that the coalition government in Sindh should achieve a balance by bringing an end to continued discriminatory practices and ensuring equitable share of Sindhis in educational and economic opportunities. It urged that both federal and Sindh provincial governments should initiate affirmative action programs to alleviate degrading poverty among rural Sindhis and massively increase educational opportunities in rural areas.
SANA also condemned the recent killing of three Sindhi demonstrators and demanded a judicial inquiry and financial compensation to the families of the victims.
In another resolution SANA called upon the PPP and Sindhi nationalist parties to begin a dialogue on a joint strategy for alleviating problems faced by Sindhis and bring welfare to rural population.
As the amalgamation and bifurcation of old districts in the cities of Hyderabad and Karachi have failed to live to their promise of progress SANA demanded that old district structure in the cities of Hyderabad and Karachi be restored.
SANA called for autonomy and sovereignty for the provinces according to the 1940 Resolution with only the subjects of defense, telecommunications, currency, foreign affairs and inter-provincial coordination to stay with the federal government. It said the provinces should be given ownership of the oil, gas, mineral and other resources and the Senate should be made more powerful giving it authority to initiate money bills and approve key federal appointments including high court judges and chiefs of the armed forces. Senate should also be recomposed with each province having 25 members.
In a resolution SANA demanded a just water apportionment on the basis of the 1945 Sindh-Punjab agreement, compensation to Sindh for the reduced water share during last 50 years, stoppage of work on Greater Thal Canal and any dams upstream. It asked the federal government to assist and promote construction of hydroelectric projects in Sindh.
SANA demanded that Punjabi, Siraiki, Sindhi, Pushto and Balochi be declared as national languages in Pakistan and 1972 Language Act be implemented.
SANA called upon the federal and provincial governments to take steps to discourage any mass migrations to Sindh from other provinces or foreign countries that threaten the majority of Sindhis in Sindh. It asked for the steps to encourage those who have already migrated to Sindh to return to their home countries and home provinces.
A SANA resolution said that as the economic disparity between rural Sindh and Balochistan with respect to other areas have reached a crisis point particularly in health and education sectors, the USA, other countries and international aid institutions should specifically earmark assistance to improve health and education in Sindh and Balochistan.
A large number of people attended the four day SANA silver jubilee convention. The Vice Chancellor of the University of Sindh, Mazharul Haq Siddiqui and founder of the American Institute of Sindhulogy Dial V. Gidwani were the keynote speakers at the convention while Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khuhro was the main speaker at the convention’s speakers’ session. Other speakers included MNA Gul Mohammad Jakhrani, Dr Suleman Shaikh, head of Mehran TV Ghulam Nabi Morai, secretary Sindh Democratic Forum Zulfiqar Halepoto, Nazeer Essani and Sikander Baloch.
A number of sessions were held during the convention that included a session on hepatitis in Sindh, a Sindhi literary session, a medical seminar, ladies and youth programs and Sindhi music program. Local youth presented fashion show, a humorous skit, dances and other items. Sindhi singers included Ghansham Vaswani from India, Stephen Diwan from New Jersey and Versha and Kiran Manjiani from UK.
iaoj.wordpress.com/2009/07/09
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