Sindhi Media on Provincial autonomy

Sindhi Press Digest
February 14, 2007

Provincial autonomy spotlighted

By Sohail Sangi

Provincial autonomy was the central theme in Sindhi-language newspapers last week. The newspapers also dealt with the killing of a Hindu engineer and the wave of lawlessness gripping Sindh these days.
A seminar on provincial autonomy, organised by the Sindh government, prompted the press to treat the subject in detail.Most of the speakers at the seminar favoured the abolition of the concurrent list and opposed the creation of more provinces.
The Tameer-i-Sindh and Ibrat, commenting on a statement of the Sindh chief minister that he is promoting the mission of G. M. Syed on provincial autonomy, say the claim should be taken with a pinch of salt. The Tameer poses a rhetorical question: Will Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim now emulate G. M. Syed by fighting for the cause of Sindh?The Tameer welc omes Dr Rahim’s assertion that ‘gone are the days when people demanding provincial autonomy were put behind bars’, but at the same time says it is early days yet to know the truth. “Only time will tell whether things have changed or not.”
The Ibrat and Tameer regret that the `belligerent’ statements of federal ministers do not give out that the concurrent list is being abolished and that the centre is ceding control over resources to the provinces.
The Daily Hilal-i-Pakistan editorialises on a statement of the federal minister for states and frontier regions about the closure of four Afghan refugee camps. The newspaper observes that ‘concessions and loopholes’ exist in the package. `Hence it is unlikely that they (Afghans) will go back.”The Hilal points out that since a large number of Afghan refugees have economic interests in Pakistan, they would find the prospect of a return to their homeland unappealing.On the other hand, the paper writes, the United Nations has also been `creating hindrances’ by warning that Afghan refugees `must not be sent back against their wishes’.
The Hilal-i-Pakistan recalls that Iran, too, had given refuge to thousands of Afghan refugees, but sent them home after the withdrawal of the Soviet forces.The paper calls upon the Pakistan government to take a `bold stand regarding the repatriation of Afghan refugees.’

Almost all newspapers condemn the murder of Hindu engineer Greesh in Kotri. The papers say that although it is premature to arrive at a conclusion about the cause of Greesh’s death, all accounts suggest that the engineer was a victim of ‘parochial considerations like religious or linguistic identity’.
Daily Awami Awaz, writing on the lawlessness that has overtaken Sindh of late, says the system of district governments has not yielded ‘positive results’. The paper points out that the district governments have failed to tackle Karo-kari, tribal feuds and excesses against women.According to the Awami Awaz, ‘political expediency’ is eating into the fabric of society. “It is time for the federal and Sindh governments to do some introspection and review the viability of the local government structure.”
Two dailies — Kawish and Tameer — condemn the recent spate of tribal feuds in Shikarpur and Ghotki districts.
The Kawish writes that ‘disappearance’ of the apparatus of the law in several districts is ominous.The paper regrets that ministers are ‘busy addressing public meetings, planning for by-elections and offering condolences’.
The daily Kawish ridicules claims of good governance at a time when police are being used only for ‘VIP security and political victimisation.’