Re: Imran Khan banned from Sindh...
Persona non-grata is law that is there all over the world, where one state can disallow citizen of another state to come to their state, declaring the person as unacceptable. I believe that it is wrong in Pakistani constitution that provincial government could disallow a Pakistani of another province to enter their province, declaring that person persana non-grata. (I believe, only federation employee on their duty can be exempt from this law).
Unfortunately, when we talk about federation of Pakistan and under constitution provinces are considered as federated states of Pakistan, this law automatically becomes applicable. It is surprising that some people believes and want that Pakistan should be federation of states (Provinces) but disagree with the laws that is there because of it.
This law of pesona non-grata is very minor law and effects very few. Worse is what applies to all Pakistanis irrespective, that is, a domiciled (citizen) of one federated state cannot even go to another state to study or work until that person gets the domicile of that another federated state after living there for a number of years.
For instance, if I have domicile of Sindh then I would not be able to apply for admission to study in Punjab government’s Universities as any person of Punjabi domiciled student (same is true for any student of any province if that person would like to study in another province). Surprisingly, if I have Karachi domicile than I would not be able to even apply to study in Universities of Sindh unless there is quota for Karachi.
Same goes with most jobs. A person with Sindh domicile cannot apply for any provincial government job in Punjab (Same is true for all provinces). Even in federal job, there is fixed quota for all provinces and one can only apply for jobs on the quota of their province of residence.
Even when a product is moved from Sindh to Punjab (applies to all provinces), it cannot move without permission of the province and without paying the levy. Suppose if one province wants to, they can even stop leaving any commodity from their province to another, even if goods are essential. For instance, suppose Sindh or Punjab feels that they would have shortage in wheat, they can stop wheat movement from their province to another province however bad other province needs are. Well, movement of commodity from one province to another is considered as smuggling. Legally, a person cannot even take above certain amount of gold from one province to another.
Thus, when there is so much restriction in freedom of movement between provinces, this persona non-grata law is of very minor value. Thus, I would suggest that first we should think about Unity of Pakistan, rather beat the bush for nothing. Once that get sorted out, all would get sorted out automatically (though I know that there is lot of opposition regarding any such unity move, and I respect their concerns).
As for Imran in politics, that is different matter. I believe that persons that consider themselves national figures (like Imran Khan); should not come in politics. Reason being that politics is game of parties and oppositions; where people are divided on basis of interests and personal values; that could be easily different, depending on regions and people in the country. Some people iare socialists, some are capitalists, some are opportunists, some are exploiters, some represent vested interests (like feudal and elite class in Pakistan), some are religionist (represents their brand of religion or sect), some are nationalists (regional nationalism), some are provincialist (nationalist province wise), some are patriotic (nationalist in Pakistan sense), some have tribal affiliations, some fighting for their assumed rights, X Y Z.
People who are national figures (or consider themselves as national figures) should be above differences in politics that exists in all Nation, and thus should have no obvious political affiliations and should stay out of politics. These national figures from outside politics should always show that they are neutral when it comes to politics. If that person wants to serve the country, that person should do that outside politics. If that person comes into politics, then that person loses status of national figure, as that person starts antagonizing people of different political affiliations then his own, thus same people who should be giving that person love and respect, start taking him as opponent and give that so-called national figure scorn.
Just imagine that to promote his Party, Imran talked against leaders and representatives of almost all parties; that includes PPPP, PML (Q), PML (N), MQM, and others. He talked against almost all political leaders. Over the years, just because of politics, he must have antagonized many. Now, there are many die-hard supporters of all parties. So how anyone can expect that Imran can do that and still be a national figure for all?
I think that Imran should have learned from Edhi, who when contacted by political parties to join them, always declined, saying that he serves all (good, bad or ugly).