A Historical and Political Analysis of Sindh’s Position in Pakistan after the Independence

Abstract

Pakistan's federalism crisis dates all the way back to the country's inception. Pakistan was born amid various difficulties, several of which concerned the state's government and organization. Federalism has been accepted as a constitutional framework in Pakistan since its birth. The Muslim League was Pakistan's political organization, and it advocated for full regional autonomy for the provinces of United India. The Congress, on the other hand, favored a moderate union. The Muslim League's lengthy history and practice have left it with no choice but to embrace federalism as a state structure. There were additional explanations for Pakistan's establishment as a federal entity. All of the explanations state that imperial legacies are special. This aspect was instrumental in Pakistan being a republic, and sadly, it was also instrumental in Pakistan failing to be a viable federation. The British government established federalism in India to protect its vested interests. The British style of ruling India was not uniform across the nation, but varied according to area. As a result, certain provinces were overdeveloped, while others stayed underdeveloped. The district of Punjab also had representation in state institutions such as the military and bureaucracy. Following Pakistan's independence, there was an overdeveloped Punjab, but it was not the country's largest region by population. It was dominant and commanded a disproportionate share of representation in state agencies, and it was determined not to relinquish its hegemony. It was the most widespread infection in all of West Pakistan. After Pakistan's inception, there has been a point of contention between the underdeveloped Punjab and the Bengal provinces. Smaller provinces were overlooked and took a hard hit during this conflict. Punjab ruled the state from the start, and decisions were forced on the smaller provinces. Sindh was forcibly penetrated by the refugee influx. Karachi, a significant trade center in Sindh, was divided from the province and absorbed into the federal government's territory. Sindh's ministry was disbanded and Karachi was put under federal administration as a result of this undemocratic act. Following this creation, the smaller provinces were forced to join One Unit. Sindh's territorial status was abolished and its demography was radically altered by the One unit system. Punjab became the only dominant state after Bengal's dismemberment, and it controlled the state system. Sindh remained ignored in this sort of state. Sindh has faced the same fate throughout history. And Pakistan's constitutions did not guarantee Sindh's regional sovereignty. This study makes an analytical effort to analyze the Centre-Sindh relationship historically.