The Politics of Ethnicity in Sindh

Date and Context: On May 26, 1990, a series of protests held by the Muhajir community in Hyderabad escalated into a tragic incident where security forces opened fire, resulting in the deaths of 45 protesters. This incident represents a critical flashpoint in the ongoing ethnic tensions between the Muhajirs and other ethnic groups in Sindh province. It serves as a stark reminder of the fractious socio-political landscape of the region and underscores how historical grievances and colonial legacies continue to shape current dynamics in one of Pakistan's most ethnically diverse regions. Additionally, tensions have been fueled by political manipulation and a struggle for economic resources, particularly in urban settings like Karachi that serve as melting pots of diverse cultures.

Ethnic Composition: Sindh is Pakistan's richest ethnically diverse province, comprising a multitude of ethnic groups including Sindhis, Muhajirs, Punjabis, Pathans, and Baloch. According to the 1981 census, the total population of Sindh was approximately 19.3 million, detailed as follows:

• Sindhis: 10.6 million (55.7%), predominantly residing in rural areas, mainly engaged in agriculture and traditional industries.

• Muhajirs: 4.6 million (24.1%), primarily concentrated in urban areas such as Karachi, where their migration post-Partition significantly influenced cultural and economic dynamics.

• Other migrants:

  • Punjabis: 10.6%, often involved in business and agriculture, contributing to both rural and urban economies.

  • Pathans: 3.6%, who have established themselves in trade and labor sectors within urban environments.

  • Baloch: 6.0%, involved in the fishing and resource extraction industries, often facing economic challenges.
    The demographic shifts due to migration and urbanization have led to economic displacement and competition over resources, intensifying ethnic rivalries over time.

Economic Displacement: Rapid urbanization and shifting migration patterns have fundamentally transformed urban centers like Karachi. Once the stronghold of Sindhis, they have seen their demographic majority reduced, leading to increasing competition for economic opportunities. Many Sindhis perceive government policies as biased towards non-Sindhi groups, aggravating their sense of economic marginalization and cultural displacement. Structural adjustments and development initiatives often fail to address their needs, leading to greater tensions and unrest, particularly in a rapidly changing economic landscape dominated by real estate and services sectors.

Ethnic Mapping of Sindh:

• Sindhis: Predominantly found in rural areas, about 81.5% of the Sindhi population, have experienced significant cultural and economic shifts due to the increasing urban migration, drastically changing their role in society.

• Muhajirs: Established a substantial presence in urban centers like Karachi, arising from large-scale migration from India post-partition. They predominantly speak Urdu, which has enhanced their cultural visibility and political influence in the region.

• Other Groups: Minorities such as Punjabis, Pathans, and Baloch have historically sought economic opportunities in Sindh. Their presence has contributed to the province’s diverse ethnic makeup, but it has also sparked tensions due to conflicting economic interests with the Sindhis, often leading to violent confrontations over jobs and resources.

Historical Context of Ethnic Politics: From Partition to 1971: The partition of India in 1947 drastically altered the demographics of Sindh. Many urban Hindus fled to India and were replaced by urban, literate, and economically empowered Muhajirs. This demographic shift fundamentally changed the political power dynamics in the province, closely aligning governmental policies with the interests of the Muhajirs. Early policies provided Muhajirs preferential access to civil services, military, and educational institutions, while the Sindhi population faced economic and political marginalization that continued to grow more pronounced over the years.

Post-1971 and the Rise of Sindhi Nationalism: The secession of East Pakistan in 1971 served as a catalyst for Sindhi nationalism. Although Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's policies initially appeared favorable to Sindhis, such as the restoration of Sindhi as an official language, they inadvertently heightened ethnic tensions. Violent incidents, including police brutality against student protests in 1972, sparked significant ethnic unrest that persisted through the late 1970s, reshaping Sindhi political identity and further entrenching ethnic divides.

Rise of Muhajir Politics: In an effort to reclaim declining political representation, Altaf Hussain founded the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in 1984, setting out to advocate for the rights and interests of the Muhajirs. The party's rise was marked by violent ethnic riots, particularly between Muhajirs and Pathans from 1985 to 1986, often driven by competition for urban resources. As the MQM emerged as a significant political force during the 1988 elections, it further entrenched the ethnic division in Sindh and highlighted the influence of ethnic identities on political affiliations.

Government Policies and Impact: Since 1971, government policies increasingly favored rural Sindhis, resulting in a noticeable decline in the political and economic opportunities available to Muhajirs. During Zia-ul-Haq's regime, military promotions and civil service appointments disproportionately benefited Punjabis, exacerbating the urban Muhajir's feelings of exclusion. The 1990 elections illustrated the stark ethnic configurations of the province, where the MQM maintained dominance in urban constituencies while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) retained its hold over rural areas, solidifying the strong ethnic basis of both parties’ political alliances.

Recent Developments and Future Implications: The situation in Sindh remains precarious, with violence largely focused on ethnic conflicts, specifically between supporters of the PPP and MQM. There exists a pressing need for structural reforms within Pakistan's federal system to adequately address the enduring ethnic disparities. A failure to implement such measures could lead to ongoing violence and instability, posing a significant threat to the socio-political fabric of the region and, by extension, the entire country.

Conclusion: The deep divisions in Sindh rooted in historical, political, and socio-economic context present ongoing challenges to communal relations. The future of these relations hinges on the government's capacity to harmonize the competing ethnic demands and establish equitable representation among diverse groups to mitigate the potential for further conflict. Ensuring fair development opportunities, alongside effectively addressing grievances through structural reforms, is crucial for fostering lasting peace and stability within Sindh.