NAME: UMAIR ALI
UNIVERSITY NAME: NUST BALOCHISTAN, QUETTA CAMPUS
7th SEMESTER-CIVIL ENGINEERING STUDENT
MY CMS ID OF NUST: 331971
EMAIL ID:
[email protected]CONTACT NUMBER: 03474491730
Essay
Unity in diversity –Promoting National Integration of Pakistan
Outlines:
1-Introduction.
1.1- A bird eye view of unity in diversity-national integration.
1.2- National integration in Pakistan.
1.3- Thesis statement.
2-Manifestation of national integration of Pakistan:
2.1-Common national language builds spirit that whole populace is amalgam of one whole.
2.2-Cultural diversity of Pakistan.
2.3- Religious affiliations i.e. 97% Muslims and 3% other communities, show shared sentiments.
2.4- Geographical diversity of Pakistan.
2.4.1- Rich diversity of landscapes, mountainous ranges that are heart to river streams, lakes and
natural heritages.
2.5- Art and music.
2.6- National days.
2.7- Tourist Spots.
3- Impediments in a way to execute national integration in Pakistan:
3.1-Historical perspective of impediments in achieving national integration in Pakistan.
3.1.1-Ideological differences i.e. religio-political at inception of Pakistan.
3.1.2- Fall of Dhaka.
3.2-Bad governance policies.
3.3-Unequal resource distribution to small provinces in light of NFC award, and 18th amendment.
3.4- Water allocation issues in reference to Water accord of 1992.
3.5-Ethinic differences based on nepotism and sectarianism intolerance.
3.6- Census issues.
3.7- Aftermath of FATA to KP merge and Baluchistan problems.
4- Case studies of countries having higher rate of national integration:
4.1- Case study of Canada’s model of multiculturalism.
4.1.1- 1988 Canadian multiculturalism Act.
4.2- Case study of Switzerland.
4.2.1- Swiss federal constitution about national integration.
5-Pragmatic policies and recommendations for flourishing sustainable unity in diversity-national
integration of Pakistan.
5.1-Consenses through council of common interests(CCI).
5.2-Promoting human development.
5.2.1 Working on human development indicators such as; Health, education, etc.
5.3-Efficient national social action plan.
5.4-Proper implementation of NFC award, NAP, 18th amendment, Aghaz-e-huqooq-e-
balochistan, and administrating FATA to KP merge issues.
5.5-Ensuring religious tolerance and embracing cultural and ethnical acceptance.
5-6- Ensuring feasible water polity and accords.
5.7- Role of media should be enlarged in context of making questionnaires from people about
national integration.
5.8- Following the ways in which other countries achieved national integration keeping in view
parameters of Pakistan.
6-Conclusion.
“United we stand, divided we fall”, George Pope Morris. This quote
highlights the significance of unity in diversity-national integration that it is of utmost
importance for any country that wants prosperous future. So, National integration can be defined
literarily as “it is a centripetal social force that attracts a sense of oneness and togetherness
among the different individuals and groups of society”. It mingles varying national strands into a
singular social fabric and builds a strong hold of national front against internal and external
challenges. It is a tool that empowers social stability, gives common identity and direction to
general public in order to accept norms and way of life. It gives a sense of prevention from
schisms of regionalism, provincialism, ethnicity and racism. According to dictionary of political
thought, integration is a process in which various segments of society enjoy equal privileges
including social, educational and recreational opportunities without any discrimination. Besides
that, if national integration to be defined in context of Pakistan, its definitions may vary keeping
in view different dilemmas and concepts and ultimately reminds to give a read to its history
before inception and after inception. Pakistan is diverse state, it becomes legit due to socio-
cultural, geo-graphical, ethno-religious, political, and its historic fabric. However, since
inception, country has remained entangled with multiple chronic and constant challenges: bad
governance; socio-economic and power disparities; politico-ethnic polarization; racial and
lingual differences; and threats to territorial integrity from neighboring countries. The mistrust
between the Centre and the small federating units fused by a sense of deprivation. These
challenges have complicated the process of national integration in Pakistan. National integration
is directly related to prosperity of a country and if it is not achieved, it can pose direct threat to
sovereignty of state. Government of Pakistan in general, and public in particular should look into
historical perspective and impediments that slow the race of national integration and produce
countering forces to achieve sustainable and efficient national integration.
Secondly, there are many factors that contribute to
national integration in Pakistan, responsible for achieving prosperity and peace among common
citizen of Pakistan. People of this country share one common language throughout country for
communication that is Urdu which was made national language in constitution of Pakistan in
1973. Urdu language has ancient roots dates back to time when it was used only for war purpose
and camps having words taken from different languages like Persian, Arabic, Uzbeki and other.
Along with that Pakistan has diverse culture that is symbol of pride for whole nation as rightly
said by Malala Yousafzai, “We may have different languages, cultures, and traditions, but we are
all united by our love for Pakistan and our shared vision for a better future." Pakistan’s cultural
diversity is based upon; geography, religious beliefs, ethnicity, and etiquette norms of a region
and society. Pakistan’s culture is transformed throughout ages as its land has cultural roots in
Aryans & Dravidians, indus valley civilization, and after all attempt of colonization by britishers.
As Pakistan was born in name of islam as Islamic republic of Pakistan so it is comprised of 97%
muslim population and 3% other communities, religions share respect for eachother as founding
father before its birth emphasized parliament on 11th August 1947 that every community living in
Pakistan was free to move in, irrespective of religion, caste or creed, keeping in view laws. The
geographical location of Pakistan is of utmost importance as this country comprises of 7000m
and above heights in north and give place to river streams, seashore of 1046KM in south, arid
and plain areas, where four seasons arrive and lands are cultivated and country is named in
agrarian economy in world. Also, people in this country share better test in music and art which
is famous across borders,like music of ‘alghoza’ & ‘been’ to Sindh, ‘chimtta’ and ‘girrwi’ to
Punjab, ‘sarood’ and drums made from clay pots in kpk, ‘doneli’ & ‘benju’ in Baluchistan. Sufi’s
promoted the culture of love and harmony and used music to bring people of different regions
and ethnicity together. Pakistan celebrates various national holidays, such as Independence Day
and Pakistan Day, which bring together citizens from all walks of life to celebrate their nation's
history and progress, creating a sense of national pride and identity. Pakistan has many tourist
spots that contributes in making people amalgamate in one whole especially in northern areas of
Pakistan.
Thirdly, along with having many good chances of
having national integration in Pakistan in true manner, there arises many challenges which
become brick wall in its way because it has historical roots. At time of inception, Pakistani
religio-political factions were in mess of ideological dilemma. In JSSA Vol.vii, no.1, national
integration: challenges and options for Pakistan written by Mohammad Nawaz Khan, it is
perfectly reflected as, “The foundation of Pakistan was laid down on the Quaid-i-Azam’s vision
of separate democratic homeland for Muslims in which the state would be governed on
principles of Islamic ideas of social justice and equality. The theory of the founding father
perceived the Muslims of sub-continent as a separate nation opposite to the Hindu nation in the
form of two-nation theory. In fact, the empirical evidences of Muslims of sub-continent show
that they were divided on the lines of Aligarh and Deobandi traditions; pro-Indian National
Congress political ideology of territorial nationalism; pro-Muslim League’s political ideology of
distant Muslim identity; and religious parties’ opposition for separate Muslim state in order to
preserve the Muslim Ummah. Dr Abul Kalam Azad, a congress leader said after independence of
Pakistan that this country will not survive more than 25 years, as he perceived that there was
meagre value of national integration in Pakistan, after 24 years and some months, his talks
proved to be correct as dismemberment of east Pakistan happened on 16 december 1971. Before
19471, conditions were like that Bengali muslims and other muslims were supposed to be
different to each other as Bengali leader A.M Ahmed, in 1937, said, “Bengali muslims are not
only different from other communities, but are also different from muslims living in other
provinces”.
Morever, concerning the contemporary Pakistan, bad
governance creates economic backwardness, giving rise to social ills fueled by massive poverty
and crime, spreading frustration, and demoralization in underprivileged regions of Pakistan,
where sentiments of marginalization have triggered militancy causing consequences on national
integration. Besides, NFC award is a tool to ensure equitable distribution of resources to all
provinces whereas smaller provinces repeatedly claimed that they share less population
compared to larger provinces and resource share is not enough according to population based
formula and according to constitution, they should be right to use their resource for their
province first, this leads to threat to national integration in Pakistan. Also, 18th amendment to
constitution of 1973 , was right step towards autonomous power among provinces, but small
provinces have reservations that it is not implemented in true letter and spirit as power is not
shared upto gross root level. Due to this fact, nepotism based on ethnic and religio-political
criteria has emerged as obstacle towards achieving national integration. After that water crisis are
also driving force, as said by Loren Eiseley, “If there is magic on planet, it is contained in
water”, so smaller provinces are not happy on water distribution. They believed that water accord
of 1992 was devised to favour the upper riparian provinces, especially the province of Punjab.
Sindh and Baluchistan have accused Punjab of stealing their water various times. In this situation
where provinces are accusing each other for their marginalization, the national integration of
Pakistan is at stake. Adding to challenges in way of acquiring integration also reminds of FATA
to KP merge issue. Statistics show that an inclusion of an estimated 30,000 local levies and
khasdars into regular police force is at slow pace. New police lack training, which is still
performed by army and paramilitary troops. Adding to fact from budget statistics that federal
government pledged in 2018 to spend around US$10billion on development schemes over a
decade, approximately 10% of US$540million were reserved for tribal districts’ development
during the fiscal year 2019-2020. This initiative is at slow pace and growing frustration among
tribal people, allowing anti-nationalist groups to justify their demands about separatist policies
and unfriendly sentiments towards civil and military establishment. Conditions in balochistan are
no different. Decision about increasing BLN’s job quota from 3.5 to 6% in federal departments
was initially taken in 2016. Till 2020, no progress was seen until federal government took notice.
Short term projects of CPEC in Balochistan (2014-2020) such as Khuzdar-Basima N30,
upgradation of DI khan-zhob highway N50, and completion of existing roads projects that were
supposed to be completed by 2020, have seen no progress. This delay may instigate marginalized
groups in future to start resistance against unsteady development policies of federal government
and would be a major risk in the way of national integration. Census issue is also of importance
in which small provinces like Sindh and balochistan and tribal districts, claim that they have less
representation opportunity and their population is shown in lesser directions. This generates
phobia of not achieving national integration.
Fourthly, some countries in the world have higher rates
of national integration and their diversities are united in true letter and spirit, and some case
studies are quite clear, and if practiced, can lead towards better national integration values.
Example of Canada is worldwide accepted. Canada’s model of multiculturalism is better study
guide that will help in achieving national integration. Canada effectively transformed its
heterogenous population into a harmonized and peace-loving society as provision of equal rights
and services to all communities, groups was ensured by 1988 Canadian multiculturslism act.
This act states, “ it is hereby declared to be the policy of government of Canada to recognize and
promote the understanding that multiculturalism reflects the cultural and racial diversity of
Canadian society and acknowledges the freedom of all members of canadian society to preserve,
enhance and share their cultural heritage”- section 3(1) of Canadian multiculturalism act. Also,
the act presents multiculturalism as a positive instrument of change that aims to remove barriers
that preclude the involvement, equity, and representation of all citizens in Canada's institutions,
as well as their access to those institutions, published by the Parliament of Canada. After Canada,
Switzerland is also promoting national integration by amending constitutions and empowering
citizens. The Swiss Federal Constitution, adopted in 1999, establishes the principles of unity in
diversity and national cohesion. It emphasizes the country's commitment to democracy,
federalism, and multilingualism, recognizing the equal status of the four official languages
(German, French, Italian, and Romansh).
Fifthly, “Every problem has solution. The problem is to
find solution to problem” by Pierre Filion. So, having discussed the impediments in way of
attaining national integration, it is pertinent here to suggest divisive policies and
recommendations which can reap positive results for the Pakistan. The first step towards right
direction would be the role of the council of common interests (CCI) needs to be more proactive.
Issues pertaining to national interest should be resolved in the council with consensus of
leadership of all federating units. This council can prove to be quite useful in resolving the issue
of water distribution among the provinces. The grievances of smaller provinces with regard to
CPEC can be addressed in this council. This council can be made proactive by political will of
ruling party in the federal government whose responsibility is to conduct the meeting of council
regular. This will resolve issues of small provinces as resolution of issues is necessary for
national integration. A well thought national social action plan (NSAP) is required considering
the socio-economic, and political imperatives of all the provinces, thereby satisfying the essential
needs of the ethno-cultural, and socio-political divergent identities. It will minimize the regional-
provincial disequilibrium, granting more sense of ownership to the federating units supportive of
the process of national integration. Proper working human development is required as health,
education are key human development indicators, with this Pakistan can achieve sympathy from
small provinces as 18th amendment gives powers to provinces, so, power will be divided upto
gross root level and masses will get free and fair education and health, with this SDGs’30 can
also be achieved SDGs also emphasizes towards human development. Furthermore, proper
enforcement of NFC award, NAP, 18th amendment, Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-balochistan is required,
this can achieved after promoting law and order throughout country and imposing good
governance. Stakeholders should also keep an eye on FATA merge, strong administrative hold is
hereby required to ensure proper utilization of funds and developments projects in newly merged
FATA, this will ensure trust gain of common public towards national integration. Religious
tolerance should be ensured by registration of madarsahs and proper enforcement of sectarianism
act 1997 and public should be educated regarding cultural and ethnical acceptance by conducting
seminars and media participation. As media is fourth powerful pillar of state. So, media should
work on common grounds of ways of ensuring national integration in Pakistan by making public
participate by conducting questionnaires from people from small provinces and tribal districts
about issues they face, and anti-diverse elements should be addressed. The case studies of
countries having higher rate of national integration should be focused as above mentioned case
study of Canada is driving force for national integration, and that integration plan to be emulated
in Pakistan, example as if we take multiculturalism as a political policy, Pakistan can achieve
increased minority participation, in this way national integration will be achieved and diversities
will be united.
Lastly, to conclude, Pakistan has a long-standing issue of
national integration. At the time of its inception, all of its federating units were governed by
leadership having opposing views on the matter pertaining to national interest. Taking this
reason, it was never easy to create a consensus among all provinces. Currently, Pakistan also
faces some challenges which can prove to be a gap for achieving its national integration. In fact,
the nexus between sentiments of oneness and human development has become a central focus of
national integration. Moreover, the grievances of smaller provinces vis-à-vis larger provinces
also hurt the cause of national integration. Above all improper implementation of NFC award,
18th amendment and other laws can dismantle the social fabric of Pakistani society. Countries in
world has devised their laws to promote national integration for achieving better future.That is
why, the state of Pakistan needs to implement the aforementioned pragmatic policies in its true
letter and spirit to secure long run for sustainable and eternal national integration.
