Geography

Pakistan is a medium-sized country in south Asia that borders Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, China, India and the Arabian Sea. Pakistan is approximately three times the size of the United Kingdom, and one-fourth the size of India, covering an area of 310,401 square miles (803,940 square kilometers). Sindh is the southeastern province of Pakistan, covering approximately one-fifth the area of the country (58,000 square miles, 150,220 square kilometers).  The Indus River runs through Sindh to the Arabian Sea. The capital of Sindh is Karachi .

History

The nation of Sindh derives its name from the River Sindhu (now most commonly known as the Indus River). In the texts of the ancient Vedas, writings on the Indus, the River Sindhu is named one of the most sacred rivers of South Asia. Mohen-Jo-Daro, the site of an ancient Indus civilization, and numerous other sites in the Indus Valley exemplify the richness of the ten thousand year old history of the Sindhi people.

Although repeatedly invaded by the Huns, Greeks, Arabs, Persians, Turks, Mongols and, most recently, by the English, Sindh has strived to maintain its autonomy. Through their traditions, including language, culture, and tolerant Sufi way of life, the Sindhis have pursued equal rights and security for themselves, through persistent, nonviolent efforts.  

In 1947, when British colonial rule ended and what was then India was divided into India and Pakistan, Sindh agreed to join Pakistan as an "autonomous and sovereign” state, as promised by the Pakistan Resolution of 1940.  However, rather than respecting the Resolution of 1940, which would have allowed for a peaceful coexistence for all the various ethnic groups in the new Pakistan, the Pakistani State adopted authoritarian rule as its means to governance, resulting in the displacement of approximately one-third of the Sindhi population, primarily those belonging to the Hindu faith. Successive Pakistani governments have continued through present to ignore the promises of the Pakistan Resolution.

Today, Sindh is deprived of provincial autonomy to govern its own affairs.  Functionally, it has become a colony of the province of Punjab.  The country’s rule of law and code of conduct emanates from the nucleus of power in Islamabad.  There is great discontent among the Sindhis due, in large part, to the absence of a government that ensures basic rights to all the people.  Thus far, this ruling body has proven to support the exploitation of the country’s resources, religious intolerance, non- democratic institutions, and human rights violations.  

Population

Approximately 40 million of the 170 million people living in Pakistan are Sindhis. Sindhis practice many different religions including Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, and Sufism.  Sindhis speak various languages, including Sindhi, Siraaki, Urdu, Hindi, Gurmkhi, and Balochi.

Government

President Asif Zardari is the primary leader of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. People Party of Pakistan (PPP) holds the majority in National Assembly and heads the federal government.