Sindhi nationalism

Flag used by some Sindhi nationalists showing an axe

Sindhi nationalism is a movement which alleges that Sindhis, an ethno-linguistic group mainly found in Pakistan, are a nation. The movement propagates the view that Muslims are not a nation (the opposite of the concept behind the creation of Pakistan) and that ethnic loyalty must surpass religious loyalty.

The Sindhi nationalist movement's demands have ranged from greater cultural, economic and political rights, to political autonomy, to outright secession from Pakistan and the creation of an independent state referred to as Sindhudesh. It was founded by G. M. Syed in 1972 to help Sindhi separatists forces to separate Sindh from Pakistan. It was later renamed Jeay Sindh Tahreek by militant groups. Sindhi separatists propagate the view that they suffer from disenfranchisement at the hands of Pakistan's Punjabi majority. In the 1st international conference of International Sindhi United Movement separatist group declared themselves the liberation movement of Sindh and formally approached the Indian foreign office for the help. The main causes of this claim is the idea promoted by Sindhi nationalists that water resources are diverted disproportionately to the Punjab region at Sindh's expense, particularly the water from the Kalabagh Dam and Thal canal, which divert water resources away from Sindh; this allegation was dismissed by domestic and international experts, especially as Pakistan Government had already banned the construction of the Kalabagh Dam on the insistence of Sindh government.

The movement has lost popular support as the Pakistan Peoples Party has won elections and Sindhis have been elected to highest positions in the Government of Pakistan and Government of Sindh. These include the holder of the most powerful position in the Federal Government, the president Asif Ali Zardari.

The movement which demands the creation of an independent Sindhudesh has a strong base among some student political groups, but no Sindhi nationalist party has come to power in Sindh till now.