Politics in Sindh
By Shahid Rizvi
Recent statements of Benazir Bhutto should be considered in a wider perspective. Apparently, her statements appear to be as a result of disappointment generated by the conspiracies against her government. Benazir has decided to bring forward new leadership and leave politics to save her family and Bhutto family.
In view of the fact that her father and two brothers were murdered and her husband was in jail facing a conspiracy to murder case, she finds herself dejected and insecure. Those who have been active in eliminating Bhutto family are the people of the same hierarchy. These statements have put to shame the Pakistani politics, and have proved that a leader such as Benazir Bhutto, who has all her life fought for strengthening of democracy in the country, can be forced to leave politics. Many of the reasons she has herself clearly described in her statements, but still there are other reasons.
Her statements show how insecure she is, and it tells upon the condition in the political atmosphere of the country. Is there anyone else who can be secure in the country at the hands of powerful vested interests here. Those who can commit daylight murder of the brother of the Prime Minister, are powerful enough to kill anybody in the country, create worst law and order situation in different parts of Sindh and Punjab by patronizing terrorists and topple down any government which goes to work against their interests.
If Benazir Bhutto can be made a target of false and baseless allegations and not a single charge can be proved (in fact charges were not meant to be proved), who else in the country can be spared. Is there anyone who can stand up and say that he has fought and sacrificed for democracy more than Benazir. Her father gave the country a constitution and made reform promoting Islamic way of life and was eliminated. His daughter fought for democracy and was always a target of anti-democratic conspiratorial clique.
Why certain people do not want to have Bhutto in power. One reason is that Benazir fought for democracy and those who are against her, and without exception hard core of anti-democratic forces. However, the main reason is that which is not very clearly mentioned ever. Bhutto is representative of Sindh. The federation, which is being dominated by others, who have also managed to bring in their fold the feudal interests of Sindh, do not agree to have such an important executive as prime minister from Sindh.
It is well known that if the present Bhutto is thrown out of politics, there is no one from Sindh claiming for the post. Anyone making such claims will be reminded of the fate of Bhutto family. They have terrorists in Karachi and religious organizations all over the country with them. The power sharing by Sindh is detested by them therefore every gun pointed towards Bhutto.
The national aspirations of Sindh have never been fulfilled. The politics of Sindh remain dominated by either those who wanted to be a partner in federation or by those who condemned federation outright. Bhuttos were always in favor of the federation, but their experiment has bitterly failed. The others who condemned federation could not gain ground and lost their strength due to prevailing circumstances.
The agenda of national revolution in Sindh and almost all over the country is still incomplete. The first priority item of this agenda i.e. agricultural reforms to give land to the tiller and elimination of landlord and bog zamindaris is still pending.
No one has dared to touch it and no one will bring the reforms as is shown by the recent events. Not to talk of the change in land ownership, agrarian tax which can fetch 52 billion rupees can not be levied even when country is facing worst ever crisis and budgetary deficits.
There is a question before the people of Sindh as to who will complete this agenda and start moving towards a democratic and prosperous Sindh. Who will answer it. The parties with chauvinist nationalism. The parties still consoling the people of Sindh regarding power sharing with Punjab. Or the party having an agenda of democratic revolution marching towards socialist revolution. Notwithstanding the fact that external influence is also important, it is the internal parties and conditions that will frame the destiny of Sindh.
