Ethnic Issues and National Integration

Ethnic issues and national integration
Introduction:
 Ethnicity & national integration are intermingled concepts.
 Ethnic cohesion  national integration.
 National integration an evolving pursue in post-colonial societies (Pakistan too).
 Cause: conflicting socio-political fiber of pk. Society.
 Adoption of authoritarian policy ethnic groups ethnic politicsethnic movements for preservation of
their identity. Democracy and Authoritarianism cannot work together.
 Ethnic movementschallenge to national integration.
 Federalism (effective) is best suited for plural societies.
 Incorporation of pluralistic approach national integration.
Meaning of ethnicity:
“An ethnic group or ethnicity is a category of people who identify with each other, usually on the basis of presumed
similarities such as a common language, ancestry, history, society, culture, nation, race or social treatment within their
residing area.”
Types of ethnic groups:

Ethno-racial (apartheid) ethno-religious (Jews, Zoroastrians) ethno-linguistic (3 language
groups in Switzerland) ethno national (Serbs, Croatians and Chechens) ethno-regional
 Two opposing schools of thought emerged for the origin and continuation of ethnicity:
 Primordialists (from birth) consider ethnicity to be based on culture and they reckon it as something ingrained in
human nature.
 Instrumentalists (socially constructed)propound that ethnicity is socially constructed and it is the elites of a
group who construct ethnic identities.
Evolution of ethnic politics in pk.:
 Pakistan is comprised of heterogeneous ethnic orders; in fact, the people of Pakistan form a complex ‘ polygot’
as Tahir Amin puts it, with migration from Central Asia, and Iran, plus the indigenous. If we look at the history of
presecessionist movement 1971, there were six major ethnic groups: Baloch, Bengalis, Mohajir’s, (Muhajir’s are called
Urdu speaking in Sindh and migrated from Northern India), Punjabis, Pashtuns, and Sindhi’s.
 Ayub khan’s  modernization in 1958. 2 objectives:centralization of state & creating authoritarian system.
 One unit plan by M. ALI BOGRA 1954-70 debacle of east pakistan
 Culturallyurdu as national language in 1952.Ayub policies increase discontent among ethnic communities of pk.
 Gen. Yahya khan regime: mujib won majority seats(EAST) but Bhutto majority(WEST) was not ready to share
power with a Bengali leader ethnic violence and agitation  separation. 6 points of mujib:
1. Federal parliamentary system on basis of direct adult franchise
2. Either 2 currency or one with separate federal reserve system.
3. Center restricted to F.A and defense everything else by provinces.
4. Separate banking system
5. Provinces free in commercial and trading activities
6. Separate army
 Inequity and inequitable distribution of wealth in Bengal no provincial autonomy especially after 1954. Out of the
total development fund, East Pakistan’s share was only 22.1%. (54% total population of Pakistan)
 Non Bengali businessmen  financed by west pk. established manufacturing enterprises.
 Limited Bengali representation in the central government had increased the sense of deprivation, suppression and
exploitation.
 Fragile economy of east pk.  anti- west pk. Feelings enhanced their ethnic identity.
 Breakage of pk in 1971  crumbled the dream of national integration.
 There have has always been a mix of ethnic groups in all the provinces except Bengalis till 1971.
 in Sindh and Balochistan, waves of migration have altered the demographic balance;
1. inflow of refugees from india in 1947
2. and from Afghanistan in 1979 during soviet invasion and after US invasion.
Factors contributing to ethnicity:

1. Economic disparities ….  bourgeoise and proletariat. Productivepowerful absence of F.R
2. Problems of modernization & competition of scarce resources… modernization  uneven development
disequilibrium in society. Instrumentalist approach.
3. Historical & cultural impacts…smaller culture oppressed by major culture. Colonial powerschanges in
territoryexploitation of caste, racial, linguistic and religious issues common in 3rd world countries. Issues like major-
minor language, official language, religious cleavages ethnicity. Primordial approach
4. Demographic changes… i.e migrations, asssimilationsmigrants+nativesboth endeavor to retain their hold in
power structure of state.
5. Politicization: of an ethnic group  common demands which reinforce the political consciousness of the ethnic group.
Whereas, Mobilization: militancy, terrorism; or involve the community in a democratic process to effect a desired
political change.
6. Foreign influences: financial and ideological support of ethnic groups by foreign states…post WW1 periodtreaties were
signed regarding the protection of each other’s minorities e.g League of Nations but they failed.
National integration:
“National Integration is the bond and togetherness between people regardless of their caste, creed, religion or
gender. It is the feeling of oneness, brotherhood and social unity under communities and society in a country.”
Causes of issues of national integration in pk.:

1. Heterogeneous culture: (language, traditions and way of living)conflict b/w east pk. and central govt on role of
language. Urdu as sole national language (April 1954)promote national integration. 1954bengali language accepted
by constituent assembly. 1956 const. urdu and Bengali are official languages.
2. Unequal resource distribution; seizing of rights of Bengalis and Balochis  frustration. Economic disparities b/w EAST &
WEST. Khanincrease allocations in public sector but private sectors were left behind. 22% of total private investment in
EAST Pk. And rest in west pk.. same case with Balochistan. Gas (1952) supply in 1955.never to balochistan. similarly
Saindak; 50% share(Chinese), 45% (federal govt.) & 2% to Balochistan
3. Unequal representation in political and bureaucratic realms: one ethnic group majority in bureaucracy and army over
other is threat e.g PPPP, PML(N). Balochi leaders call the army as PUNJABI ARMY.
4. Elitism: elitist policiesfertile ground for outbreak of ethno nationalism. Highly centralized system, no devolution of
power and unawareness of leaders at center resentments in ethnic groups.e.g one unit policy, 1973 bhutto
decision to dissolve the elected govt in balochistanmilitary operation in Baluchistan and Bangladesh.
5. Role of army: from Ayub Khan – Pervaiz Musharraf ethnic conflicts. Ayub Khan Policies of economic
developmentresentment among EAST Pk. One unitno provincial autonomy. Military operations in EAST Pk.
Different from operations in balochistan. Human rights violations: too many military operations in balochistan during
Musharraf era along with other issues i.e target killings,missing person issues.
6. Foreign interventions: hands in separation of EAST Pk. & upsurge of ethno nationalism in Balochistan and kpk.
7. Diverse structure of provinces; pk established as federation of 5 provinces. Multilingual, multi cultural and multi ethnic
state reflecting diversity of populations, size and development. Pakistan - India - Bangladeshfall of Dhaka
8. Eastern wing:language and culture homogeneity whereas western wing(4 provinces) diversities
a) Khyber pakhtunkhwa: dominated by pathans. Dominated by sardars. Agriculture :basic profession but region lacks
infractructure least developed area of west wing of pk.
b) Balochistan: largest province in terms of area but least developed and dominated by tribal culture and
continuous military operations and Afghanistan smuggling spot porous border
c) Sindh: part of Bombay presidency till 1935. Became a province in 1936 under the govt. act of India 1935.sindhi
pplconscious of their language and culture affected by refugee influx.
d) Punjab: most populous, dominated and developed.
Suggestions:
1. Establishment of viable political systemstrong democratic culture 2. Introduce Quota system
2. Federal system is indispensabledecentralization 4. Promotion of unity
3. Support of national institutions and national partiesmedia role
Challenges to sovereignty
Introduction:
 EtymologicallySovereignty is synonym of security from threats(internal/external).
 Nations seek power(E,P,M)+take measures to ward them off + direct efforts to acquire more power.
“The weak & defenseless, in this imperfect world, invite aggression from others” (QUAID-E-AZAM)
 Efforts are made to inculcate a sense of security among citizens.
 Power & economic disparities and inequalities operative intl. political system.
 Absence of supreme supranational institutional set-up (world govt.) to regulate the conduct of interstate relations,
further aggravates the national security problems of smaller nations.
What is sovereignty:
“In international law, sovereignty means that a government possesses full control over affairs within a territorial or
geographical area or limit.”
OR
“Ultimate authority,held by a person/institution,against which there’s no appeal”
Challenges to sovereignty:
 Security challenges
1. External challenges
2. Internal challenges
3. Combo of both.
1. External challenges:
 Threats to independence & territorial integrity(sandwiched b/w India & Afghanistan).
 Pk. Confronted with 3 threat scenario: perennial threat from India, Afghanistan and from changing
domestic situation.
 The developments after 9/11 complicated the situation.
INDIA: 3 major wars, 2 large border clashes, 3 major crisis & innumerable fire exchanges at
LOC.
 Deep-routed suspicion, mutual distrust, & antagonismbedevil Indo-Pk. Relations.
 Economic & political developments in South Asiahope for normalcy in relation.
Afghanistan: soviets invasion on Dec,1979alarming proportion.
 Vicissitudes in relations after 9/11 developments. Past experienceunpleasant

 Some elements who appeared to take pride in advancing someone else’s agenda need to be controlled
and made more nationalistic.
2. Internal security challenges:
 Pivotal position in country’s national security policy.
 Issues of governance, political instability, sluggish economy, energy & water crisis, ethnicity,
extremism & terrorism.
Weak governance: + complex law & orderdeters investors + reduce pace of economic
development.
 Situation in Karachi, parts of Balochistan and FATA ethnic and sectarian violence, terrorists
infiltration, target killings, unfair use of resources, external intervention and delayed socio-
economic development.
Terrorism: it connotes different meanings to different ppl.
Americansviolence by extremists Indiapk. Sponsored terrorists into IHK.
Israelis suicide attacks by Palestinians Pakistanbrutality by indian security forces in IHK.
Prospects for regional security cooperation:

 Peace in South Asiaindo-pk equation.
 Jointly they cansecurity, strength, stability and economic development.
 To realize that 70 years antagonistic relation is nothing more than destruction and violence.
 +ve developments: “continuous realization that military approach , +ve approach of leadership, changed intl. climate,
estab. Of vast networks of CBMs., role of SAARC, incumbent peace process.
Suggestions:
1. Border control.
2. International cooperation(extradition treaties)
3. Counter-terrorism(NECTA & INTERPOL+ NAP)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ethnic Issues and National Integration

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Ethnic Issues and National Integration

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Ethnic Issues and National Integration

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Ethnic issues and national integration

Types of ethnic groups:

Factors contributing to ethnicity:

Causes of issues of national integration in pk.:

Afghanistan: soviets invasion on Dec,1979alarming proportion.

 Vicissitudes in relations after 9/11 developments. Past experienceunpleasant

Prospects for regional security cooperation:

You might also like