Pashtuns in Karachi Unite

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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Pakhtoon Loya Jirga held: Pathans of Karachi unite

** ‘We are the second largest ethnic population of the city’ *
** ‘Students without Karachi matric certificates are being turned away’ *
** Their informal settlements are being razed *
** Karachi was built on the back of the Pathan *

Staff Report

KARACHI: The Pakhtoon Tribal Elder Council, locally called a Pakhtoon Loya Jirga vowed Friday to fight all decisions that hurt the interests of Pashto-speaking people in Karachi and announced a peaceful rally from Lasbela Chowk to Karachi Press Club on June 2.

This decision was announced by Shahi Syed, president, Pakhtoon Loya Jirga, while addressing a press briefing in the backyard of the Karachi Press Club. “The rally will organize the Pakhtoon Action Committee, which was recently constituted by the Pakhtoon Loya Jirga and all Pakhtoon nationalists parties, including the Awami National Party (ANP), PakhtoonKhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) and other tribal organizations,” said Shahi Syed.

He claimed that the Pashto-speaking people form the second largest population of Karachi but they were being treated like third class citizens. “More than 2.5 million Pakhtoon are living under the threat of government agencies. We are not only facing eviction problems but also social, economic and cultural ones,” said Shahi.

The jirga condemned the government’s decision to raze informal settlements (katchi abadis and villages) in the city. The government should regularize all informal settlements, where thousands of the Pashto-speaking people have been living since the inception of the country, said the jirga leader.

“Recently, the city district government demolished a large number of localities of the Pashto- and Sindhi-speaking people, which included Jumma Goth, Sikandar Goth, Mansehra Colony, Bilal Colony, Allahwallah Colony, Gulshan-e-Bunnair, Abdul Rehman Goth, Ramzan Goth etc,” said Shahi Syed.

He said that their students were not allowed to enroll in government educational institutions because they did not possess Karachi-based matriculation certificates. He said that most the Pashto-speaking students came from the NWFP and Balochistan after passing their matric examinations.

He said that a majority of the Pashto-speaking people who were engaged in the transportation business in Sindh, especially in Karachi, were being harassed by the traffic police and highway police on the pretext of ‘checking’. The transporters were forced to pay the police bribes.

“First the government should construct bus terminals outside the city rather than remove the bus terminals in the city. Every day, city district government officials and police harass the transporters,” alleged Shahi.

In a HARDtalk interview with Daily Times last year, Pushtoon nationalist leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai made the following observations about Pushtoon living in Karachi.

"Their [Pushtoon] sweat and blood has led to the development of Karachi. All your cities have been built by the Pushtoon. All your canals have been dug by the Pushtoon. Even in 1947, there were more Pushtoon in Karachi than Punjabis, Urdu-speaking people and Sindhis. But we are chowikdars.

There is a National Assembly seat for 500,000-600,000 people and a provincial assembly seat for 60,000-100,000 people. Even if we go by the conservative estimates about the Pushtoon population in Karachi, they should have at least 20 seats in the provincial assembly and five to six seats in the National Assembly.

But this doesn’t happen. In Karachi the delimitation of constituencies has been such that they cannot be elected. They don’t even have civic rights. This despite the fact that there is no real economic conflict with the Urdu-speaking people or the Sindhis. No one talks of their language and culture either. People say Karachi is a mini-Pakistan. All those living in Karachi should have the right to represent themselves. In Lebanon, for example, both Maronite Christians and Sunni Muslims are represented. When all of us are represented at the municipal, provincial and national levels in accordance with our population, nobody will be able to claim Karachi as exclusively theirs."

Daily Times

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Re: Pashtuns in Karachi Unite

Discriminating curry munchers, then they wonder why they'll soon be an independent Republic of Pashtunistan.

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Re: Pashtuns in Karachi Unite

I ahve never been to karachi long enough or old enough to notie it, but I have just heard that the relations were very tense. Is it still like this??

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Re: Pashtuns in Karachi Unite


Mohajirs have been discriminated and still facing the same, how many of them are demanding a separate country? Sindhis have seen different sorts of problem, how many deman separate country?

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Re: Pashtuns in Karachi Unite


There was a time when Pathans were targetted when MQM was fighting in streets, that was looong time ago like 14-16 years ago. My last 2-3 visits (spread over 4-6 years) I haven't seen/heard of such tension.

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Re: Pashtuns in Karachi Unite

^^ Thanks for that.

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Re: Pashtuns in Karachi Unite

Cury munching stuff is besides the point. Here is the summary of the thread.

Pakhtoon Loya Jirga held: Pathans of Karachi unite

*1. 'We are the second largest ethnic population of the city' *
*2. 'Students without Karachi matric certificates are being turned away' *
*3. Their informal settlements are being razed *
*4. Karachi was built on the back of the Pathan *

  1. This could very well be true.

  2. This is discrimination. Every kid who moves to the city should be allowed admission in the colleges.

  3. Informal settlements must be razed. No one should be allowed to violate property rights of the owner (government or private).

  4. Karachi was built on the backs of many and Pathans played their role. However anyone who was in Karachi back in the 50's should have moved up the food chain.

Karachi offers so many opporunities regardless of someone's ethnic background. I agree that Urdu People have been dominant players in the city, and they have used their power to keep other ethnicities out of certain institutions.

Still anyone with drive and motivation has benefited from Karachi including Pathans. So it is wrong to press forward with the concept of Kachi Abaadi. These informal settlements are the ones that do not allow people to break the chain of poverty. Poor people in these settlements continue to breed more poor.

Housing is an issue in every major city. However qabza groups should not be allowed to take away property in the name of poor.

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Re: Pashtuns in Karachi Unite

Racism will not get you anywhere. What exactly is a curry muncher? Only the British in their ignorance of the Indian culture, termed the food curry, so add ignorance to your racism.

I do believe that a cosmopolitan city like Karachi should not discriminate other groups of Pakistan. We are part of the same country and Karachi has prospered because of the efforts of the domestic migrants.

Germany-Austria-Scotland and England by Raju
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Re: Pashtuns in Karachi Unite

Pakistan is running a system that may not be fair but it is there. Either follow the system or ask for abolishing it. The system is there to protect especially people living in minority provinces and in underdeveloped areas. In practice, this system hurts people of Punjab and Sindh (especially people of Karachi) most and benefits people of Sarhad (NWFP) most.

System is that we have four provinces. Each province is responsible of many things within the province, including health, education, provincial language, law and order, judiciary (up to high court) etc [for instance if NWFP provincial assembly wants, nothing stops NWFP to adopt Pushto as their provincial language. Only problem will be people living in NWFP (Hindko and others) that may not like Pushto as their sole provincial language. Sindh provincial language is both Urdu and Sindhi and thus anyone doing their schooling in Sindh, including Karachi, has to learn both Sindhi and Urdu].

People of all provinces in Pakistan have right to move from one province to another and take the domicile of particular area of that province after living in the area of new province for certain number of years. To do that, they also have to surrender their previously held domicile (with it they also surrender the right to work in government jobs or study in government educational institutions of previous province).

There are three types of jobs in Pakistan; they are federal jobs, provincial jobs and jobs in private sector. Government do not control jobs in private sector and thus people get most of the jobs (if not all) there on merit. You will find people of Karachi and Punjab filling most private sector skilled jobs.

Now, there is a complication. That is domicile. A child takes the domicile of his father. A person that lives at a place for number of years or had education from a place can have domicile of that place.

Local government jobs or education in local government education institute needs local domiciles. In provincial jobs, one needs domicile of that province and in federal job people need domicile of a province and can apply for job only on the quota of their province. [Sindh quota divided between rural Sindh (60 percent) and urban Sindh (40 percent). For all other provinces, quota is applicable on all living there]. There are 10 percent federal jobs filled on merit.

A student that did their SSC (Matriculation) from Karachi cannot go to Peshawar and get admission there in government educational institutes, same way a person from NWFP cannot get admission in Karachi. Actually, it can be done by living there for a long time then surrender their previous domicile, get new local domicile and then apply for admission.

The worst domicile for government jobs or getting admission in government colleges (especially professional colleges) is Karachi domicile (note: all government colleges/universities are under provincial governments). The reason it is worst to have Karachi domicile because resident of Karachi do not have any other means to earn their living other then jobs or business. Most rely on jobs and number wanting and even spending for education is high. Quota for Karachi in federal jobs with respect to population is low, competition is high, many from outside Karachi can come to Karachi and get into local jobs (by getting domiciles by whatever mean).

A person coming from another province would find it almost impossible to get jobs in provincial government (unless they get domicile by wrong means) or admission in government colleges. Many from other part of Pakistan come to Karachi, bribe to get Karachi domiciles to get local government jobs [where Karachi resident find lot of discrimination to get these local jobs (except when MQM in power)]. If one goes to Karachi courts, town offices or police stations, one would find many (in most cases mojority) from outside Karachi even though these jobs was suppose to be for people with Karachi domicile.

Since it is difficult to use illegally obtained domiciles in education institutions, because Matriculation (SSC) certificates expose the residence of that student, it is more difficult to get admission in colleges. Same thing is mentioned in the above mentioned report though in such a way that it seems there is discrimination going on.

[quote]
From above report:
He said that their students were not allowed to enroll in government educational institutions because they did not possess Karachi-based matriculation certificates. He said that most the Pashto-speaking students came from the NWFP and Balochistan after passing their matric examinations.
[/quote]

[Report is a classic case of misinformation. Report does not mention that students from Punjab face the same problem. Student from Karachi faces the same problem if they would go to study in government colleges elsewhere outside Karachi.

Report should have mentioned (at least in bracket to clarify situation and avoid misunderstanding due to the report) that problem is not discrimination but domiciles. Domiciles that when illegally obtained may work in getting jobs in local government at lower level (where education certificate is not required) but not in getting admissions in government institutions because of matriculation certificate exposes the truth of illegal domiciles.

Matriculation certificate is very important document in Pakistan as date of birth on this certificate is taken as official date of birth of the person and thus this document is needed in most job applications or college admissions].

The solution is that to abolish the domicile system and let have a pure merit system where any Pakistani can apply in any Pakistani educational institution and get admission on merit. There should not be quota for different provinces in jobs too and merit should become criteria everywhere.

Problem is that, if that would happen then people from Sindh (especially Karachi) and Punjab would start taking most government jobs (provincial and federal) and admission in most government professional and other educational institutes, situated anywhere in Pakistan (that includes NWFP). Then People from NWFP would start complaining that they could not compete in open competition because their area is backward and people are poor, and thus Pakistan need domiciles for local jobs and quota for federal jobs.

Note: NFC award (money going to provinces from federal revenue) made to provinces from federal government is mostly dependent on population. Karachi alone contributes around 65 percent (sometime 70 percent) of federal revenue collections. Thus, contribution of sindh in federal revenue is around 75 percent but Sindh allocation is very low comparative to contribution. If all Pakhtuns living in Karachi register themselves as Sindhi domiciled instead of NWFP domiciled then Sindh NFC award would increase substantially and NWFP award would decrease substantially. This would help Sindh (and Karachi) to develop faster and provide better facilities to Sindh residents (be that a Pakhtun or anyone).

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Re: Pashtuns in Karachi Unite

I agree,theres lots of racism in Karachi.Ive had encounters here in Canada which show this.Both of my best friends here are from karachi,they are cool ppl(they are from karachi but lived in the middle east all their lives) but whenever i meet his bro in law,who lived in karachi until recently,he would have something sarcastic or silly to say,like every other group is to blame.Then we were at a party and when we were living,i wanted to walkt to the station while this other guy didnt,and he said"should i call u a horse cart,if thast what ur more used too...." i was like you have to be brought up into hatred to say something so stupid.
The point is,you go into any other city in Pakistan,you will see some level of integration,people have recongnised each others differences but respect them.I ignore the racist ppl and blame their cultural immaturity for it.There is rare racism against Pathans in lahore and other parts of the country but its reduced to mainly name calling but nothing physical or voilent.The only solution i see is that people have to put their huge EGOs aside and start sharing with OTHER ppl as well, a dua.

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Re: Pashtuns in Karachi Unite

As per the initial posts:
** 'We are the second largest ethnic population of the city'
* 'Students without Karachi matric certificates are being turned away' *
** Their informal settlements are being razed *
** Karachi was built on the back of the Pathan*

Second largest population? Maybe true, then again they are the second largest population in Baluchistan province, are they going to demand separate homeland because of their numbers?

Matric certificates of pathan children studying in Karachi sud get karachi domocile, but there is a reason why they dont. Reason, their parents always maintained the home domocile ie frontier thus leaving their kids with the same domocile.

Illegal settlements are exactly that, no matter ow long occupied, ask the palestinians.

Karachi was built on the back of pathans? now that may be a wee bit exaggeration, it was the mohajir community which came to karachi, settled and developed this city along with all other communities punjabi, sindhi, bengali and pathan. So lets keep things in perspective.

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Re: Pashtuns in Karachi Unite

Kehkashan, what do you think about this article????
Not that i agree with what they are claiming but you always blame a certain group for all the problems in Pakistan, just wanted to know what you think about pathans being discriminated against in Karachi.

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Re: Pashtuns in Karachi Unite

I completely disagree with some of their points, but if they feel neglected in Karachi, they should further organize and take part in the political process. Barring that, they always have the option of moving to sunny Kandahar.

But in the end, it goes to show that the concept of "Pakistaniyat" is just that, a concept, since in reality thae masses will always organize with their ethnicity in mind. And you can never force anyone to assume an identity they don't want.

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Faruk your urdu speakers bashing is in poor taste..however yes there are issues in karachi of uneven development (actually ethnic sindhi/baloch are the worst off ). I'd prefer if migration to karachi was in fact slowed down and stopped if only for the reason that the city and province can't sustain the level of migrants..in compensation the regions where most migrants come from should get major development packages.

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Re: Pashtuns in Karachi Unite

This seemed to be continuation of legacy of exploiting local population particularly Sindhis and Baluchis since partition.

In sixties, Muhajir,Pukhtoon and Punjabi Itehad was formed to curb local Sindhis. In eighties Muhajirs Parted away and new Punjabi Pukhtoon Itehad was formed perhaps against Sindhis and Muhajirs. MQM was formed to kill Sindhis, Pukhtoon and Punjabis. Now Pukhtoon Itehad? Perhaps against other ethnic population. I wonder why not such Itehads are formed in Punjab and NWFP. Have you ever heard of Sindhi or Bluchi Itehad in Punjab or even in NWFP? Why such Itehads in Sindh?

I think such Itehads are illegal, criminal and without moral justification. These Ithehads/Movements are nothing but safe haven for criminals and should be banned.

FARID

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Re: Pashtuns in Karachi Unite

Thats a new one :hehe:

One of the reasons that there may not be “ittihads” in Punjab is that local population in Punjab is not deprived of their own resources i.e. schools/colleges, jobs etc.

Secondly, Punjabi’s population is overwhelming to other minorities there compared to Karachi where the “minorities” are not really that small on relative scale.

I whole-heartedly agree.

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Re: Pashtuns in Karachi Unite

Your Sindhi Prime Minister (BB) had quite an Ittehad with the Pashtun Naserullah Babar in the killing thousands of Mohajirs in the 1993 to 96 peeriod.

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Re: Pashtuns in Karachi Unite

get over it :rolleyes:

Gen.Babar cracked down on thousands of terrorists on the rampage and saved Karachi from death and destruction

For that Karachities are grateful.

Thank you Gen.Babar. Pakistan and Pak Army needs more men like you :jhanda:

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Re: Pashtuns in Karachi Unite

Patthans will never get over their ethnicity...

I remember how in the 90s they had literally frozen entire Karachi with threats to kill any non-Patthan who entered their areas and sent armed roving parties into Mohallas to intimidate the Mahajirs...

Who can forget the massacre of Orangi town in which thousands of Bihari Mahajirs were burnt alive by them?

I am all for Muslims opening their hearts for Muslims...But these people are tribal first and Muslims second...

They may claim to have built Karachi from their backs, then they should be able to build their own cities and infrastructure...

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And never mention the atrocities Muhajirs committed against Pashtuns.

First Pashtuns were targeted in 1985. A Kashmiri minibus driver had incidently killed a Muhajir girl Bushra Zaidi and in hours dozens of busses belonging to Pashtuns had been set ablaze by Muhajirs. What were the motives behind this? To terrify Pashtuns so they vacate Karachi for Muhajirs.

Causes: From 1947 to 1971, Muhajirs were a privleged COMMUNITY sharing power with Punjabis and pitched, in collaboration with THEM, against potential Bangali +Sindhi+Pashtun+Baluchi alliance.

After Bangla Desh INDEPENDENCE, Mubashir Hassan, a clever Punjabi economic minister of Bhutto had proposed that to break Muhajir domination of the industrial and finance sector of Pakistan, there should be comprehensive nationalization.

Bhutto, as a Sindhi, had contradictions with Muhajirs. He went ahead with making Sindhi as the official language of Sindh to be compulsarily learnt by Muhajirs, nationalizing industries and financial institutions, and allocating separate quotas for Sindh Urban (Muhajirs) and Sindh Rural (Sindhis). Obviously, this greatly curtailed the excessive influence, power, and share of Muhajirs. Another factor was that, Punjabis and Pashtuns, who had initially migrated to Karachi as workers and labourers had now taken to certain professions and had started competing with Muhajirs in some commercial activities e.g. transportation. Muhajirs reacted abgrily to this decline in their status.

Before 1971, Muhajirs were almost entirely followers of Muadudi but then they switched to aggressive/militant Muhajir ethnic nationalism. Pashtuns were the first target of this nationalism.

Anyhow, past is the past! Now Muhajirs should stop laying exclusive claim to Karachi, Hayderabad, Sukhar and other urban centers of Sindh. The sons of the soil i.e. Sindhis have been pushed to the wall. The economy of rural Sindh is shambles. If the socio-economic conditions of interior Sindh were not improved, What I forsee is, in next 15-20 years, there will be a large-scale migration of educated and uneducated and skilled and unskilled Sindhis to Karachi and other urban centers of Sindh. An ethnic clash in that case is inevitable.

So resources should not be diverted to Karachi only leading to further marginalization of Sindhis. Sindhis should be given some breathing space.

Pashtuns of Karachi must also learn and adopt Sindhi language and culture and support Sindhis in their just struggle. This would be the noblest thing for them to do.