Sindhi leader Shafi Burfat condemns state fascism in Pakistan, calls for referendum for independence

Burfat argued that the so-called democratic structure in Pakistan was a sham, serving primarily the interests of the Punjabi majority and its military elite.

He accused the Pakistani state of systematically oppressing historical regions, including Sindh, Balochistan, Pashtun and Seraiki people, under the guise of religion and national unity.

Burfat's statement highlighted that these regions are facing political oppression, economic exploitation, state terrorism and cultural destruction. He stressed that the languages, cultures and national identities of these historical regions are being distorted and suppressed to maintain the dominance of the Punjabi elite, who are the majority in Pakistan.

The speaker compared it to the 1971 genocide in Bangladesh, where the Punjabi army was responsible for the massacre of three million Bengalis, and argued that similar tactics were being used to subjugate other historical regions within Pakistan today.

He criticised the international community, particularly countries in Europe and the United States, for considering Pakistan's political system as undemocratic.

According to Burfat, this perception ignores the expansionist and oppressive mindset of the Punjabi majority, which is enforced through military force. He called on the United Nations and global powers to recognize that the root cause of Pakistan's political and economic woes is the denial of independence to these historic nations.

Burfat also denounced the 1973 Constitution, which he claimed was imposed to serve the political, economic and strategic interests of Punjab at the expense of the rest of Pakistan.

He argued that the Constitution forcibly assimilated these countries, preventing them from achieving the independence they should have had after the creation of Bangladesh.

In light of these grievances, Burfat called for international intervention and urged the United Nations, the European Union and the United States to consider monitoring referendums for the independence of Balochistan and Sindhudesh.

They believe that if such a referendum were to be held under the supervision of an international United Nations peacekeeping force, it would expose the true extent of state fascism, oppression and occupation in these territories.

Burfat's statement is a strong appeal to recognise the national independence of historical regions as a fundamental human right.

He stressed that the struggle for national liberation is the highest form of democracy and the most important human rights issue in Pakistan. He urged the global community to take this matter seriously and support the legitimate aspirations of these countries for independence and self-determination.