Navigating Complexities: Migration, Ethnic Tensions, and Political Perspectives in Sindh

Host Community: Sachal Goth

Hareef Chandio is a political activist affiliated with the Awami Jamhoori Party, a nationalist political organization. Residing in Sachal Goth, an area known for its multi-ethnic and multi-religious population on the outskirts of Karachi, Chandio has been a long-term observer of the socio-political shifts in Sindh. He moved to the locality after the intense ethnic conflicts of 2000 between Sindhi and Muhajir communities, an event that has had enduring effects on the region’s social landscape.

Chandio frequently addresses the recurring ethnic, sectarian, and religious conflicts in Sindh, attributing them to political motivations. He observes that political parties often leverage these divides to secure votes. For example, Chandio points out that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) primarily draws support from the Muhajir community, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has traditionally focused on Sindhi voters. In recent years, however, Chandio notes that the PPP has expanded its approach to include other groups such as Siraikis, Pashtuns, and Muhajirs in its efforts to build a more diverse voter base.

Migration into Sindh, particularly from provinces like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Punjab, and Afghanistan, is a focal issue for Chandio. While he acknowledges the migrants' pursuit of better livelihood opportunities, he questions the granting of political rights, such as voting and candidacy for office, to those from outside the province. According to him, this could undermine the political influence of native Sindhis within their own province.

Chandio also associates the presence of migrants, particularly Afghan refugees, with a rise in certain criminal activities, citing drug trafficking as an example. One area he references is Afghan Basti, a settlement of approximately 5,000 to 6,000 Afghan residents located in UC 3 of Safoora Town along the Karachi-Hyderabad Super Highway. Chandio believes the concentration of refugees in such enclaves has added to the ethnic and social tensions within the broader community.

Chandio recalls a statement from former Chief of Army Staff, General Pervez Musharraf, suggesting that Pakistan could no longer continue hosting Afghan refugees. Despite this, he notes that the United Nations intervened, requesting that the Pakistani government hold off on significant actions until conflict in Afghanistan subsided. For Chandio, the repatriation of Afghan refugees would relieve demographic pressures on Sindh, aligning with the Supreme Court of Pakistan's directive for their deportation.

The potential impact of continued migration is a significant concern for Chandio, who believes it may lead to native Sindhis becoming a minority in their province. He emphasizes Sindh’s historical depth, pointing out its 5,000-year-old heritage, distinct language, culture, and poetry, which he feels should be protected.

Regarding internal migration within Sindh, Chandio notes that many people from rural areas move to Karachi for economic opportunities, often prompted by climate change and natural disasters. He observes that while some return to their villages once conditions improve, those with no remaining assets or homes typically settle in the city. Chandio highlights that these individuals are not outsiders but are part of Sindh’s population with the right to seek better living conditions in the provincial capital.

This case study sheds light on the multi-layered challenges Sindh faces due to migration, demographic shifts, and the resulting ethnic and social tensions. Chandio’s perspective highlights the complexities inherent in navigating these issues, contributing to a broader understanding of the dynamics shaping the province’s socio-political environment.