PRESS RELEASE

LONDON, November 23, 2008, Sindhis have been on the forefront of the struggle for democracy and secularism in Pakistan therefore the policies for peace and stability in South Asia must include Sindhi peoples. Sole reliance on Pakistani Establishment has proven failed so far because real progressive forces were not included in the process. This was the consensus view at the 20th International Conference of the World Sindhi Congress (WSC), a human rights advocacy group for Sindh and Sindhis, held in London on 22 November 2008.

Several distinguished scholars and activists from Sindh, Balochistan, India, Canada, the USA and the UK gathered to present speeches on the theme of ‘Changing Scenarios: The Challenges for Sindhi Nation’

‘In order to ensure long-lasting peace and justice in the region and to reduce the menace of terrorism, global powers must include secular people of Sindh and Balochistan,’ WSC Chairman Dr. Haleem Bhatti observed. He concluded that Pakistan military inconspicuously has been keeping Talibans alive so that they keep receiving aid from the USA.”

Dr. Naseer Dashti, a Balouch intellectual and journalist, said that role of international community in furtherance of demands for rights to self-determination of Sindhi and Baloch nations are pivotal. International community’s recent support for the right of self-determination of smaller nations of Europe and East Timor has brought stabilization in the region. The same framework can be used for the cases of Sindh and Balochistan.

Mr. Ghanshyam Parkash Hotumalani, a distinguished Sindhi leader from Dehli India, called upon Sindhi Diaspora around the world to support the Sindh’s struggle for right to self determination and must take an active role in their resident country politics and governance. That will enable them to effectively advocate Sindh’s national self-determination movement to international community.”

Dr Safdar Sarki, a leading human rights campaigner and a leader of JSQM, who was recently released after 2 and ½ years from Pakistani military’s captivity, said in his key note speech that, “Sindhi people have been struggling against the recent fundamentalism since last three decades. However, the increasing poverty and disfranchisement in Sindh can be exploited by Talibans and other religious groups.” He further said, “Democratic and secular peoples of Sindh and Balochistan shall be included in international efforts to secure peace and stability in the region”.  He also called upon his own people to unite and face the coming challenges to democracy and peace.

Peter Tatchell, a prominent human rights campaigner and Green Party’s candidate for UK parliament, emphasised that the British government should uphold the human rights and democratic values of European Union in its relationship with Pakistan government.  He said that in past the British government worked hand in hand with Pakistani dictator General Musharaf and by doing so she has supported and aided the illegal regime’s persecution against Baloch and Sindhi political leaders and activists.

Harrow Conservative Councillor Vina Mithani spoke about the Asian and Sindhi people’s active participation in UK educational, cultural and political institutions.  It’s only by playing a proactive role in the UK system that the Sindhi community can get itself recognised and get themselves heard, she said.

Among others who spoke at the Conference included Sassuie Leghari, Kadir Jatoi, Suraiya Makhdoom, Lakhu Luhano, Nazir Dahar, Shahzado Wadhio, Saghir Shaikh and Hidayat Bhutto.

Conference Chair Dr. Rubina Shaikh highlighted that the event was  instrumental in addressing challenges faced by the region and has made a significant case for the international community to support the demands of  Sindh and Balochistan’s right to self-determination.

The conference passed 27 resolutions concerning human rights and distributive economic and political justice in Pakistan. Conference demanded that Pakistan government should immediately declare the whereabouts of missing people and release thousands of detained political and human rights activists of Sindh and Balochistan, including Muzafar Bhutto, Asif Baladi, G M Baghat, Asghar Shah, Wahid Kambar, Yahya Jamaldini, Abdul Baqi Jamaldini, Ghoran Marri. Conference further regretted that despite the apology of President Asif Ali Zardari to Baloch nation, the military operation in Balochistan is still continued; therefore the military operation in Balochistan should be stopped immediately.

Conference also demanded that Pakistan government should conduct an international independent inquiry on the assassination of Nawab Akbar Bugti, Mir Balaach Marri, and Muhtarma Benazir Bhutto.

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.