Pakistan - Muhajir - 'Spawning ethnic politics'

Clinging to Leader of the Opposition Syed Khursheed Shah’s statement in which he characterised the word muhajir (migrant) as a swear word, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) observed a ‘black day’ on October 26 as a continuation of its protest against the PPP. Though the rest of the country completely ignored it, parts of urban Sindh did oblige the MQM’s call as certain cities witnessed a complete shutter down and a few demonstrations here and there. In Karachi, while addressing a rally, MQM leaders came down harshly on the PPP and especially Khursheed Shah for alleged discriminatory behaviour against the Urdu-speaking community. Since Shah made that statement, MQM is insistent on painting the issue in a religious hue by calling it blasphemous as the word muhajir carries a historical significance in Islam. Unable to find satisfactory space in national politics, the MQM keeps on tapping the sensitive subject of ethnicity. In accordance with its earlier demand of dividing Sindh into more administrative units, this time it has announced to drive a countrywide campaign asking for 20 provinces in the country. Tall claims such as these exceed even the tolerable limits of opportunism. How exactly they plan to execute these declarations remains a mystery. The Constitution, in this regard, leaves no ambiguity and clearly says that whoever wishes to carve out a new province from the existing ones needs two third majorities both in parliament and in the relevant provincial Assembly. Current circumstances do not seem to be favouring the MQM if they desire to adopt a democratic way of achieving their declared aim as they have already quit the Sindh government and do not have sufficient representation in the other legislatures.

The MQM time and again fans the muhajir issue just to keep the pot boiling and extract whatever concessions are the flavour of the day. The Sindhis however, are determined to not allow the division of the province under any circumstances and the weight of justice is on their side as being the original sons of the soil gives them a historical and moral high ground. It is in the light of MQM’s ethnic politics that the PPP’s coalition strategy in the province has gone through many ups and downs. Surely none of this has proved helpful in improving the troubled situation of the province. Logic and democracy demand equal opportunity for all citizens irrespective of ethnicity. Difficult allies the MQM may be, but it is up to these two parties whether they adopt a policy of reconciliation and work under the umbrella of one identity as Sindhis, or else keep maligning each other’s image by dwelling on the ethnic divide in the province.