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Rising nationalism in Pakistan - then why to criticize Gilgit-Baltistan
By Dj mathal
Pakistan, at present, is engulfed in a dangerous wave of nationalism instead of its basic track of federation. Sindh is divided into two distinct parts: In Karachi and its adjoining areas the Urdu speaking population holds sway while the Bhutto family-led party controls the rest of the Sindh province. Balochistan is already divided on many nationalist lines and an armed struggle is going on there. In the NWFP, lines are also drawn between the Pakhtoon nationalists and non-Pushto-speaking people for centuries while the tribal and some settled areas in the province prefer to align themselves with the neighboring Afghanistan. Punjab, the biggest population-wise province of the country, is now facing the most severe danger of division. Besides facing internal threats of division, each province has host of complaints against other provinces. When PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in Liaquat Bagh Rawalpindi, Sindhis started chanting slogans against Pakistan and started talking of separation. Asif Ali Zardar himself acknowledged that people in his province were openly chanting Pakistan na khapae (we don't need Pakistan) slogans. This was the time when dissent against Pakistan in Sindh province was at its peak. Today after disqualification of two national level leaders from Punjab by the Supreme Court, this most populous province is also up in arms with the wave of nationalism and the whole country is looking as a silent spectator. It is apparent that despite having control on national resources, whenever there is a minor challenge to the authority the slogan of federation subsides on the face of nationalism and provincialism. The vast swath of southern Punjab has long been seeking riddance from all other provinces including Punjab. If this is not nationalism, God knows what it should be called?
The wave of nationalism seen in various parts of Pakistan is different from the one existing in Gilgit-Baltistan and in other parts of the world. When the people of Gilgit-Baltistan demand their basic rights living well within the parameters of law, constitutional and ethical limits they are branded anti-state elements and criminals by the forces who considered themselves well within the ambit of nationalism when the question of their own interests arises. Now the question arises that when the people of Pakistan despite their complaints against each other and hatred call themselves a nation why this right is denied to the residents of Gilgfit-Baltistan. There is a sound reason for nationalism in Gigit-Baltistan because this region is a dispute one and has been recognized as such by the international community. The people of this area do not enjoy the constitutional and political rights which are available to the people of Pakistan. Besides, internal and external forces have been working to create schism among the residents on the lines of religion, language, region and languages. In such a situation only the slogan of nationalism can unit the people.
People living in the provinces of Pakistan are not one but different nations. However, because of national interests they have lived together and called themselves one nation. In Gilgit-Baltistan is a compact area and the local people are one nation as they have similar culture, race, history, and geographical similarities. However, those raising the slogan of federation have destroyed the very fabrics of Gilgit-Baltistan for the last over 62 years.
The nationalist parties have discovered the reason behind the malaise of the area and are trying to resolve it. The struggle is similar to the ones presently going on in Punjab, Balochistan Sindh or NWFP. The only difference is that the existence of Pakistan is recognized in the world map while Gilgit-Baltistan is struggling for getting its identity which has been denied to it so far. Those resorting to agitation for getting their rights have no right to term the political and peaceful struggle of the people of Gigit-Baltistan wrong or unconstitutional. If there are any efforts against the ongoing political struggle of Gilgit-Baltistan, it would not be in the interest of Pakistan itself. |