The Dawn, July 1, 2009

THIS is apropos of Manzoor Chandio’s letter, ‘A case for Seraiki province’ (June 27). Those non-Seraikis or settlers who are rightly proud of their contribution to the prosperity of the Bahawalpur state disagree with the writer.

The division of Punjab on linguistic grounds will have serious repercussions for non-Seraikis.

Nawab Sadiq Khan Abbasi, as per ‘Bahawal Dost’ book written by a family member of the Nawab , called the locals and asked them that he would give them tracts of land for cultivation if they were willing to accept the challenge.

The locals, considering the job very tough, remarked that he was pushing them away from him (Sain asaikun Nekhrainde payo).

Now when, thanks to the toil, labour and sacrifices of six decades, the area is producing surplus wheat, rice and sugar for Sindh, Balochistan and the NWFP, they are demanding the ownership and proprietary rights more than the settlers have.

Although the Sindhis were given a separate province decades ago, the upper Sindh has not progressed as compared to Karachi and Hyderabad. Lack of development and continuing illiteracy still plague the people at large. The situation has rather worsened.

On the other hand, Punjab has progressed because of hard work done by its people and not because of being a province.

Things should be viewed in a dispassionate way and not on the basis of one’s kinship and closeness with the Seraiki people.

The timing of the demand has been viewed with much apprehension as the whole country is in the grip of terrorist attacks orchestrated by our arch rival through its consulates in Afghanistan.

Our politicians who are mostly from feudal families are being used to destabilise the otherwise most peaceful area of southern Punjab. Politicians are once again playing their cards at the cost of integrity of the country.

Development of southern Punjab may be effected by using peaceful means through the elected representatives.

The Shahbaz Sharif government must come out with its policy statement on the sensitive issue.

PARVEZ IQBAL ANJUM

Via email