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LONDON , October 4, 2009, The decentralization of Pakistani hegemony and the presence of a sovereign Sindh could create a new path to democracy and a new method of counteracting pan-Islamic forces. This was the consensus view at the 21st International Conference of the World Sindhi Congress (WSC), a human rights advocacy group for Sindh and Sindhis, held in London on 3rd October 2009.
Several distinguished scholars and activists from Sindh, Balochistan , India , Canada , the USA and the UK gathered to present speeches on the theme of ‘Sovereignty of Sindh for World Peace.” Prominent speakers included, Mr. Sana Baloch, ex-Senator of Pakistan , Mr. Harbiyar Marri, Dr. Naseer Dashti, Isar Kalyani, Humera Rehman, Munawar Laghari and Noorudin Mengal. Along with speeches, a book reading session by Ms Alice Alibina, the writer of a new book 'Empires of Indus,' and a Sindhi soul music session were all part of the full-day Conference. “With Pakistan currently ranking as the world’s most dangerous place, this conference seeks to highlight the important role that sovereignty of Sindh and other oppressed nations could play in promoting democracy, tolerance and peace and counterbalancing fundamentalist ideologies, military rule and political instability.” WSC Chairman Dr. Haleem Bhatti observed. “He concluded that Pakistan government and military inconspicuously has been keeping Talibans alive so that they keep receiving aid from the USA .” Mr Harbyar Marri, a Baloch exile leader said that, “People of Occupied Balochistan want independence from Pakistan .” He also praised the Sindh and Sindhi people's support to Baloch people and demanded the international community's help in stopping the on-going persecution and military atrocities of Baloch Nation. Mr Sana Baloch said,” Sindhis and Balochs are enslaved nations and our master Pakistan uses the tools of divide-and-rule, economic and resource appropriation, and harassment to subjugate our peoples,” Mr. Baloch's speech was received with standing ovation and pin-drop silence by the audience. “Sindhi and Balochs are strong ally to each other in their struggle for emancipation.” He further said. Mr Baloch also implored the Sindhi national parties to unite and create a joint working plan. He praised the effort of WSC in highlighting Sindh and Balochistan case with “commitment, sincerity and diligence.” Among others who spoke at the Conference included Dr. Ahmed Makhdoom, Dr. Lakhu Luhano, Dr. Saghir Shaikh, Suraiya Makhdoom, Ambreen Hisbani, Dr. G M Vistro, and Umed Laghari. Several Sindhi leaders sent their messages were read in the conference, Sobho Gyanchandani, Dr.Qadir Magsi,Shafi Barfat, Kadir Jatoi, and Safdar Sarki were conveyed. A few of these Sindhi leaders were expected to attend the conference but due to enormous backlog in visa processing at British High Commission in Islamabad , Pakistan , these people were not granted Visas for travel. Conference Chair Dr. Hidayat Bhutto said that this event was instrumental in highlighting that Sovereignty of secular and democratic Sindh and Balochistan nations is an antidote to the increasing militarism. It will muster peace in South Asian region as well as in the entire world. The conference passed 25 resolutions concerning human rights and distributive economic and political justice in Pakistan . Conference demanded that International committee to investigate the targeted killing of Baloch and Sindhi leaders, and the convening of an international meeting by to discuss the case of Sindh and Balochistan. Conference further demanded the immediate stopping of military operation in Balochistan. Conference delegates pleaded to USA and EU that international aid to Pakistan should be made conditional to the restoration of the human rights and to equitable distribution of resources to all provinces of Pakistan. ALI MEMON, INFORMATION SECRETARY Email. memonali74@yahoo. co.uk
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