By XBy Jan Khaskheli
The Sindh Assembly is set to move a resolution to make proper legislation to protect the rights of indigenous communities living in the province, The News has learnt.
This decision was taken in a meeting with academics and anthropologists, organised by a non-government organization (NGO), Task for Environment and Cultural Heritage (Teach), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). “Teach” has been working to preserve, promote and foster the development of the indigenous population in Pakistan, with a special focus on Sindh.
Sindh Assembly Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro presided the gathering of selected academics, anthropologists, civil society representatives and legislators, while Sindh University (SU) Vice-Chancellor (VC) Mazharul Haque Siddiqi the was chief guest. Anwar Mahar, a Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)-backed MPA was also present.
Khuhro said that the country’s Constitution protects the life and livelihood of these communities. “There is no mention in the Constitution of discrimination such as that which has been identified in some communities,” he said, referring to reports about how some communities could not enroll their children at schools.
Khuhro added that their rights to education, healthcare, life, getting identity cards and practice of religion were ensured in the Constitution.
He further said that these people have been facing trouble because they do not have access to proper forums to voice their concerns. He appreciated the unique work of the UNDP and its partners to preserve folklore, literature and indigenous knowledge through documentation.
MPA Anwar Mahar appreciated the efforts of Teach and UNDP and ensured support for the resolution that will be designed by the two organisations.
SU VC Mazharul Haq Siddiqui said that they have established a separate Anthropology Department quite recently and are initiating research on the subject of indigenous people.
UNDP Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) National Coordinator Masood Lohar stressed on the need to document indigenous knowledge, traditions, culture, and folk medicines. About 80 per cent of the people from indigenous communities do not have national identity cards and their votes are not registered, he said.
Lohar announced that the UNDP was going to establish a “Council of Indigenous Communities of Pakistan” and will organise an Indigenous Communities Conference in Karachi soon.
Ashfaq Soomro, also associated with UNDP’s SGP advised the audience, especially legislators, to generate livelihood opportunities for these people at the government level. He said that Saniasi (folk doctors), who also used to be mobile healers, have now almost disappeared from society.
Earlier, Rafique Chandio, a senior researcher, gave a comprehensive presentation portraying the life of the indigenous communities of Sindh. He said that the provincial government’s programme of distributing land to landless Haaris (peasants) should be designed to make special provisions for indigenous communities.