Implications of ethno-linguistic politics on the national integration in Pakistan

Muhammad Saleem; Saiful Islam

doi:10.47264/idea.jhsms/2.2.9

Authors

Muhammad Saleem Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan | Department of Political Science, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan.
Saiful Islam Department of Political Science, University of Buner, Sowari, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.jhsms/2.2.9

Keywords:

authoritarianism, ethnic politics, linguistic issues, linguistic politics, federation, federal structure, pluralism, provincial autonomy, national integration

Abstract

The problem of national integration can be found mostly in the developing countries. The post-colonial period holds great significance in this connection. The governments of those countries did introduce different kinds of strategies to ensure national integration but failed. National integration is a big issue in Pakistan and the main reason is multi-cultural society having conflicting ethno-linguistic interests. No ruler or government seems to have honestly tried to resolve this turbulent issue. All groups living in Pakistan have many kinds of grievances. The unfair distribution of wealth is faced by all groups. The state espoused authoritarian policy to establish its position and power. Baluchistan has natural gas but is the poorest province. Similarly, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa produces electricity of Pakistan but faces more load shedding than other provinces. As for as the attainment and maintenance of national integration are concerned, provincial autonomy and strong federal institutions are the prerequisites. Only those countries have achieved national integration in the post-colonial period who have adopted pluralistic and rejected assimilationist approach. Strengthening of political institutions and federal system can redress the grievances of the oppressed groups. In this paper the researcher has tried to discuss implications of ethno-linguistic politics on national integration in Pakistan.

References

Abubakar, D. (1998). The federal character principle, consociationalism and democratic stability in Nigeria. In K. Amuwo et al. (Eds.), Federalism and political restructuring in Nigeria (164-176). Spectrum Books.

Ahmad, F. (2002). Ethnicity, State, and National Integration. In S.M. Naseem, K. Nadvi, (Eds.), The post-colonial state and social transformation in india and Pakistan. Oxford University.

Ahmad, F. (1996). Pakistan: Ethnic fragmentation or national integration. The Pakistan Development Review, 35(4), 631-645. https://pide.org.pk/pdf/PDR/1996/Volume4/631-645.pdf

Ahmad, S. (2009). Dreams unfulfilled. Oxford University.

Dawn. (2017, September 12). National integration. Dawn. https://www.dawn.com/news/1357050

Fazal, T. (1999). Religion and Language in the Formation of Nationhood in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Sociological bulletin, 48(1-2), 175-199. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0038022919990110

Firdous, M. (2008). National unity. Pakistan Observer.

Gilani, S. M. S., Salim, A., Khan, N. U. (2017). The Role of Muttahida Qaumi Movement in Sindhi-Muhajir Controversy in Pakistan. Liberal Arts and Social Sciences International Journal (LASSIJ), 1(1), 71-82. https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.lassij/1.1.2

Haq, N. U. (2011). National integration and challenges to it. Journal of Social Sciences, 89-97.

Hayat, K. (2001). Assimilation as tool for national integration. Social Science Journal, 156-165.

Hippler, J. (1998). Problems of culture, democracy and nation-building in Pakistan. Silk Road Journal, 1(4), 6-15.

Hussain, A. (2016). Ethnic issues and national integration in Pakistan. https://www.pakistangk.com/ethnic-issues-and-national-integration-in-pakistan/

Hussain, I. (2009). The dilemma of national integration in Pakistan: Challenges and prospects. ISSRA Papers, 43-60.

Hussain, k. (2009). Main issues of Pakhtunkwah. Express Tribune.

Jahan, R. (1972). Pakistan’s failure in national integration. Colombia University.

Kardar, S. (2009). Polarisation in the regions and prospects for integration.

Khan, T. A., Khan, A., & Mehsud, M. I. (2020). Ethnic Diversity and Federation of Pakistan: A Societal Perspective. Liberal Arts and Social Sciences International Journal (LASSIJ), 4(2), 130-144. https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.lassij/4.2.11

Majeed, G. (2014). Problems of national integration in Pakistan. Journal of Political Studies, 21(2), 67-79. http://www.documents.pk/file/Punjab%20University%20(PU)%20-%20Problems%20of%20National%20Integration%20in%20Pakistan.pdf

Malik, M. A. (2001). Ideology and dynamics of politics in Pakistan. Emporium.

Mateen, A. (2003). Nationalist politics in Pakistan. Dawn.

Nasir, S. (2004). Rise of extremism in South Asia. Asian Printers.

Ahmer, M. (2019, March 23). The challenge of national integration. Dawn. https://www.dawn.com/news/1471231

Noman, O. (1990). Pakistan: A political and economic history since 1947. Kegan Paul International.

Portes, A., & Zhou, M. (1993). The New Second Generation: Segmented Assimilation and Its Variants. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 530(1), 74-96. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0002716293530001006

Rai, H. A. K, & Malick, S. O. (2009). Comparative and Development Politics. Aziz Publishers.

Ramakrishanan, S. a. (2012). The importance of the political in immigration federalism. Arizona State Law Journal Legal Studies Research Paper, 44, 1431. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2209311

Royc, A. P. (1982). Ethnic identity; strategy of diversity. Oxford University.

Saleem, M. M. (2008). National integration. Imperial Publishers.

Shah, Z. (2007). The slogan of deprivation in Sindh. Asian Journal of Political Science, 112-119.

Shakir, M. (1982). On national integration. Social Scientist, 10(4), 36-44. https://doi.org/10.2307/3520327

Shah, S. J., & Ishaque. W. (2017). Challenges of national integration in Pakistan and strategic response. ISSRA papers. https://ndu.edu.pk/issra/issra_pub/articles/issra-paper/ISSRA_Papers_2nd-Half-2017/07.CHALLENGES-OF-NATIONAL-INTEGRATION.pdf

Tabassum, S., & Bhatti, G. M. D. M. N. (2020). Issues of national integration in Pakistan with reference to Balochistan. Pakistan Social Sciences Review, 4(1), 204-215.

Taylor. (1992). Multiculturalism and the politics of recognition. Princeton University.

Tonio, H. (2015). 18th Constitutional Amendment and provincial autonomy. http://www.cssforum.com.pk/general/news-articles/50945-18th-constitutional-amendment-provincial-autonomy.html

Zaidi, S. A. (1997). Pakistan society: Islam, ethnicity and leadership in South-Asia. University Press.

Zulfiqar, Q. (2011, May 3). Revisiting ZA Bhutto’s murder and trial. The Express Tribune. https://tribune.com.pk/story/160805/revisiting-za-bhutto%E2%80%99s-murder-trial