Sindhudesh (Sindhi:literally Sindhi word meaning 'Sindhi Nation') is a concept floated around by Sindhi nationalists in Pakistan, for the creation of a Sindhi state. It was conceived by senior Sindhi political leader G. M. Syed. A Sindhi literary movement emerged in 1967 under the leadership of Syed and Pir Ali Mohammed Rashdi, in opposition to the One Unit policy, the imposition of Urdu by the central government and to the presence of a large number of Mohajir (Indian Muslim refugees) settled in their province. During the 1970 national election campaign, Syed proposed the formation of an autonomous Sindhudesh within a loosely federated Pakistan. The movement for Sindhi language and identity led by Syed drew inspiration from the Bengali language movement, but the emerging Sindhi nationalism was marginalized as the populist agenda of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's Islamic socialism drew mass support amongst Sindhi people opposed to the previous regimes.

With his political base largely weaken ...more