Author discusses why the nationalist and political organizations of Sindh have been losing the general elections
Prof Dr. Abdullah Arijo
Several parties and groups in Sindh advocate for the rights and interests of the Sindhi people. Some of the main political and nationalist parties belonging to this group are:
Qomi Awami Tahrik (QAT) led by Ayaz Latif Palijo, Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party (STP) led by Dr. Qadir Magsi, Sindh United Party (SUP) led by Jalal Mehmood Shah, Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) founded by G.M. Syed, Sindh National Front (SNF) founded by Mumtaz Bhutto, Awami Tahreek (AT) founded by Rasool Bux Palijo etc.
These parties and groups have different ideologies and agendas but generally share a common vision of Sindhi identity, autonomy, and rights. They often raise slogans against Punjab, the federal government, and the MQM, accusing them of exploiting Sindh’s resources and imposing their culture and language on the Sindhi people.
Unfortunately, since so long, the nationalist parties have been losing and have no mass backing. There are different reasons why voters in Sindh do not vote for nationalist parties. Some of the possible factors are:
Lack of electoral presence: Historically, many nationalist groups have avoided participating in electoral politics, instead opting to concentrate on social movements and protests. Additionally, these groups have been fragmented into various factions, which has hindered their ability to secure seats. However, in more recent times, select nationalist groups have formed alliances with mainstream parties such as PML-N and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) in order to contest elections.
Dominance of PPP: The PPP holds significant sway over their respective constituencies in Sindh, particularly in rural and urban regions, due to its dedicated supporters. These voters back the party for a range of reasons, spanning from patronage and identity to ideology. Despite their efforts, the nationalist parties have yet to pose a significant challenge to the established popularity and influence of PPP.
Lack of development agenda: In Sindh, nationalist parties have prioritized Sindhi identity, autonomy, and rights, while failing to provide a comprehensive strategy for the region’s improvement in areas such as education, health, infrastructure, and economy. Consequently, voters in Sindh may gravitate towards parties that offer practical solutions and tangible benefits to address their concerns. Furthermore, there are various factors that have caused political parties in Sindh to undergo realignment and fragmentation.
The nationalist organizations could not succeed despite the decline of the PPP’s popularity and influence in Sindh, due to its failure to address the issues and aspirations of the Sindhi people, especially the middle class, the youth, and the intellectuals.
Also read: Politics in Pakistan: Disconnected Dots
These factors have created a complex landscape in Sindh. The general elections in 2024 were a crucial test for the nationalist parties in Sindh, despite the common issues that these parties had been addressing in their manifestos like the issues of electricity, jobs, health, education, land reforms, corruption, plunder of Sindh’s resources etc.
The nationalist and political organizations of Sindh believe that the February 8, 2024 elections have been massively rigged, but even then the factors discussed above are valid and call for rethinking the policies and strategies to win the elections in future.
[The views expressed in this article by the author are his personal, and do not represent Sindh Courier’s editorial policy]
______________
Prof. (R) Dr. Abdullah G. Arijo is Advisor and Visiting Professor, SBBUVAS, Sakrand, Pakistan. He is Ex-Chairman, Department of Parasitology, Sindh Agriculture University and Ex-Advisor Academics & P&D to Vice Chancellor SAU Tandojam
JSQM Party was Founded in 1995 after the death of sain G.M Syed. These are the founder of Jeay Sindh Quami Mahaz Abdul Wahid Ariser, Bashir Khan Qureshi, Gul Mohd Jakhrani and many more leaders.
“Thank you,Sir , for sharing such an insightful and well-written article. Your analysis of the political landscape in Sindh and the challenges faced by nationalist organizations resonated deeply with me. I appreciate how you highlighted the importance of addressing the concerns of the Sindhi people and offered practical solutions for political parties to consider. Your dedication to shedding light on important issues and fostering meaningful dialogue is truly commendable. Keep up the excellent work!”
Visionary perception, full of insight.