Ethnic Groups in Pakistan
Since its birth, Pakistan has been home to various multi-ethnic societies and groups in all its provinces. The activities of these groups have had varying impact on the political history of Pakistan. This paper analyses the impact of the Sindhi ethnic society (also known as the "Jeeya Sindh movement") on the political history of Pakistan during the 1970s. I then provide a critique of the government's response to the demands of these movements and then suggest my opinion as to how the government should have reacted so as to have a better outcome.
At the creation of Pakistan, a large number Mohajirs migrated from India and settled in to Sindh. From 1947 to 1951 nearly 1 million Mohajirs settled into Sindh (Rais, Rasul Buksh). They had also gained majorities in Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpur Khas and Nawabshah(Kardar,1992). As time passed Mohajirs dominated the business and bureaucracy in the region. According to the 1981 census, the Sindhis made up 55% of the total population of Sindh and mohajirs were second with a share of 24% (Pakistan,1981). In 1973 more than 30% of the top bureaucracy belonged to the mohajir origin in pakistan (Government Of Pakistan,1973). The above information shows that the Mohajirs were very much taking over the province of Sindh, in natural reaction to that, the Sindhis worked as a strong ethnic group to safeguard their rights and very much their existence in their own province.
Though there are many reasons for the Sindhi ethno nationalist movements, the Sindhi clash with the Mohajirs was one of the main causes for activity during the 1970s. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto came into power in 1971. Due to extreme pressure from the Sindhi people (Bhutto who himself was Sindhi) he adopted a very pro Sindhi style for the initial period of his rule. One major political impact of the Sindhi ethno-nationalist movement was the introduction of quota system in Sindh. According to this system, the government created urban and rural categories and allocated jobs
At the creation of Pakistan, a large number Mohajirs migrated from India and settled in to Sindh. From 1947 to 1951 nearly 1 million Mohajirs settled into Sindh (Rais, Rasul Buksh). They had also gained majorities in Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpur Khas and Nawabshah(Kardar,1992). As time passed Mohajirs dominated the business and bureaucracy in the region. According to the 1981 census, the Sindhis made up 55% of the total population of Sindh and mohajirs were second with a share of 24% (Pakistan,1981). In 1973 more than 30% of the top bureaucracy belonged to the mohajir origin in pakistan (Government Of Pakistan,1973). The above information shows that the Mohajirs were very much taking over the province of Sindh, in natural reaction to that, the Sindhis worked as a strong ethnic group to safeguard their rights and very much their existence in their own province.
Though there are many reasons for the Sindhi ethno nationalist movements, the Sindhi clash with the Mohajirs was one of the main causes for activity during the 1970s. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto came into power in 1971. Due to extreme pressure from the Sindhi people (Bhutto who himself was Sindhi) he adopted a very pro Sindhi style for the initial period of his rule. One major political impact of the Sindhi ethno-nationalist movement was the introduction of quota system in Sindh. According to this system, the government created urban and rural categories and allocated jobs