Documenting Systemic Discrimination Against Sindhis in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A comprehensive new report has exposed deeply “entrenched prejudice” against Sindhis in Pakistan, revealing how state-sanctioned discrimination and societal bigotry have created a hostile environment for the region’s native population. The findings highlight that racism against Sindhis continues to shape politics, media, and everyday life, systematically silencing dissent through fear and institutional hostility.

Threats Against Prominent Voices

The report details that Shehzad Ghias Shaikh—a prominent podcaster, writer, and social media presenter—now faces serious security threats after beginning to expose the deep-seated prejudices against Sindhis prevalent across Pakistan, particularly in Karachi. Shaikh’s case exemplifies the risks faced by those challenging normalized discrimination.

Mohammad Ali Mahir, a political observer based in the United States, wrote in The Friday Times: “The malignant biases sown at the very inception of the country and nurtured over the decades have started bearing bitter fruit for everyone to taste. Remember the remarks of the first Prime Minister of the country: ‘Do camel-herders have a culture?’, mocking Sindhi culture? Unfortunately, this blatant bigotry against the community, encouraged through the years, is not just condoned; it has been normalized in society.”

Historical Continuum of Discrimination

The report traces a persistent pattern of state-orchestrated bias from Pakistan’s founding to the present day. Mahir notes: “From the ‘eternal truth’ uncovered by the first Prime Minister of Pakistan about Sindhis being uncultured camel-herders, to the royal decree by the country’s last dictator that Sindhis were a meritless, ignorant lot, one can clearly see a pattern, a continuum of state-orchestrated and propagated bias against Sindhis.”

Former President General Pervez Musharraf publicly stated that Sindhis do not merit top jobs when questioned about their absence from leadership positions under his administration. This sentiment reflects institutional barriers that have limited Sindhi representation in powerful positions for decades.

Media Complicity and Public Humiliation

The report cites a disturbing example from popular media: “I happened to watch a programme hosted by famous cricketers Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and singer Fakhr-e-Alam. They were making fun of bowler Shahnawaz Dahani from Larkana. I could not believe my ears when I heard the grandson of General Rani saying, ‘These people (obviously referring to Sindhis) are good for nothing. They have no talent, except for, probably, hospitality.’ Both Wasim and Waqar laughed loudly and shamelessly in approval.”

This incident illustrates how public figures casually perpetuate stereotypes without consequence, reinforcing societal prejudices through mainstream platforms.

Cultural Symbolism Under Attack

Several months ago, when the Sindh government introduced the Ajrak—a traditional Sindhi symbol—on vehicle license plates, the move faced vehement opposition. One Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) councillor in Karachi placed an Ajrak number plate around a donkey’s neck, photographed it, and shared the image on social media—a deliberate act of cultural humiliation.

This action aligns with reported sentiments from JI leadership. During his campaign for Karachi’s mayorship, current JI chief Hafiz Naeem—himself from Hazara—reportedly pledged to “cleanse Karachi of Sindhis.”

Political Exploitation of Prejudice

The report notes that mainstream politicians have consistently exploited anti-Sindhi sentiment. During his premiership and before, Imran Khan publicly attempted to incite racial biases among Karachi residents by offering sympathies “for being governed by people from outside Karachi”—a clear reference to Sindhis.

Institutional Exclusion

Systemic discrimination extends to government institutions. “Even today, I find it hard to name one Sindhi minister or powerful bureaucrat in the Shehbaz government,” writes Mahir. “The Supreme Court of the country went without a single Sindhi-speaking judge for a long time, up until the end of the Bandial era. The reason: some powerful judges did not want to see a Sindhi-speaking judge on the Court.”

Consequences for Speaking Out

The report concludes with a warning about the dangers facing those who challenge this entrenched prejudice: “Ghias Shaikh, being the conscience of the country, is under threat. He has started speaking openly against the hatred prevailing against a major community in the country, and as a result, he is facing threats.”

The documentation reveals a troubling reality where prejudice against Sindhis is not merely a social ill but a structured component of Pakistan’s power dynamics, perpetuated through media, political rhetoric, and institutional policies that systematically marginalize one of the nation’s foundational communities.

 

 

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