Sindhi Foundation Executive Director Calls for Sindh Independence at Human Rights Council

Executive Director Sufi Laghari of the Sindhi Foundation, at the 57th Human Rights Council session in Geneva, urged for Sindh's independence from Pakistan. He cited historical contexts, human rights abuses, and manipulation of demographics as key issues. Laghari called for an independence referendum for Sindh.

During the 57th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Sufi Laghari, the Executive Director of the Sindhi Foundation, made a compelling case for Sindh's independence from Pakistan. Laghari provided a thorough historical analysis, stating, 'Historically, Sindh has remained an independent state until 1843 when it was annexed by the British Empire. Sindh joined Pakistan in 1947 under the 1940 resolution.'

Laghari argued that the Pakistani government has violated the 1940 resolution's articles and treated Sindh as an occupied territory. He highlighted various human rights abuses against the Sindhi people since Pakistan's creation, noting the misuse of blasphemy laws to justify killings, including the recent murder of Shah Nawaz Kunbhar.

Laghari also discussed the displacement of half of Sindh's population, the disappearance of over 1,000 Sindhi activists, and the diversion of the province's water resources. He accused the Pakistani Army of occupying land for corporate farming, cantonments, and mining. Additionally, he criticized the marginalization of the Sindhi language in education, government, and media.

At the council, Laghari alleged that the 2023 census was manipulated to show a majority of Urdu-speaking residents in Karachi to justify dividing the province. He called for an independence referendum for Sindh, emphasizing the need for global Sindhis to participate in the vote.

(With inputs from agencies.)