Unstructured Migration: The Arrival of Refugees in Sindh Post-Partition (1947–48)

Migration Without Agreement: How Refugees Came to Sindh After Partition

At the time of the Partition of India in 1947, the refugees (Muhajirs) who came from India to Pakistan, especially to Sindh, mostly did not arrive under any formal ‘bilateral refugee exchange agreement’. Rather, their migration happened due to prevailing circumstances and policies.

  1. Radcliffe Award and Partition
    In the June 3, 1947 Plan (Mountbatten Plan), it was decided that the subcontinent would be divided into two states. However, there was no clear agreement on the exchange of refugees. It was only stated that people could choose to move to either side voluntarily.
  2. Free movement in the early days
    For a few months after August 1947, there was no strict immigration control at the borders between the two countries. People could travel by trains, buses, or even on foot.
    Most of the refugees who came to the cities of Sindh—especially Karachi, Hyderabad, and Mirpurkhas—were from UP, CP, Madras, Bombay, Bihar, Rajasthan, etc.
  3. Violence and riots
    Severe riots occurred in Punjab and Bengal, resulting in a mass migration. Both governments later took some administrative measures, but these were not formal agreements—rather, they were ad hoc (temporary) arrangements.
  4. Lack of formal agreement
    In 1950, India and Pakistan signed the Liaquat–Nehru Pact, but it was mainly concerned with the protection of minorities and the rights of those refugees who had already settled. It was not an agreement on the arrival of new refugees.
    The refugees who came to Sindh in 1947–48 mostly migrated on their own or under Pakistan’s resettlement policy. However, there was no international agreement in place for this.

In simple terms:
The refugees who came to Sindh did not come under any formal India–Pakistan agreement, but as a result of circumstances, riots, and the settlement policy of the newly-formed state.

And they still continue to lament a sense of deprivation!

After the Partition, Muslims who migrated from the Indian province of Uttar Pradesh to Pakistan had left behind only one thousand bighas (2,500 acres) of land.
(Source: The Economic Weekly magazine, 15 May 1954)

The majority of the migrants who settled in Sindh were from Uttar Pradesh, a province where they had left behind only 2,500 acres of land in total. Yet, in Sindh, they acquired 250,000 acres of land through false claims, and even after that, they continue to lament a sense of deprivation.

Water Is Not a Weapon—It Is a Sacred Lifeline

By: Iqbal Latif

If you try to cut water to my children and my nation, it is not a strategy—it is pure evil.

This is a loathsome, vicious mindset, unworthy of any civilization that claims moral superiority. Even in war, history teaches us that attacking civilian water supplies is a red line. What kind of goodness can one expect when a dagger is thrust into the heart of a people’s survival—into the hands of mothers and the mouths of children?

Only the most callous minds can conceive such cruelty, and that too in defiance of a binding treaty, co-signed and guaranteed by the World Bank, which explicitly states it cannot be unilaterally revoked.

What a shame.

A Treaty Forged from Humanity, Not Weakness

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960 stands as evidence that even fierce rivals can find common ground when it comes to water—the essence of life. This wasn’t an act of charity. It was pragmatic leadership.

Under the IWT:

– India received rights to the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej)

– Pakistan received rights to the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab)

– India paid financial compensation to Pakistan, including for dam construction and water storage projects

– The World Bank acted as broker and guarantor

This was a landmark agreement, respected for over six decades—even through wars. It envisioned that water would never become a weapon.

Facts Matter

Water sustains over 1.5 billion lives in this region. It cannot be used as leverage in political conflicts.

Nations may respond to terrorism through targeted operations against perpetrators. That preserves moral clarity.

But threatening a nation’s access to water crosses a fundamental ethical boundary—a crime against civilians, and a betrayal of human dignity.

The Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court explicitly prohibit attacks on objects indispensable to civilian survival, including drinking water installations and irrigation works. Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions specifically protects “drinking water installations and supplies and irrigation works.”

A Dangerous Precedent

Canada didn’t sanction 1.4 billion Indians after allegations of a state-sponsored killing on its soil. It sought diplomatic accountability, not collective vengeance.

This is the difference between:

Justice and revenge,

Targeted response and indiscriminate retaliation,

Leadership and impulse.

Rivers are not bargaining chips.

They are the shared heritage of humanity.

Any leader who weaponizes water betrays international law, morality, and civilization itself.

Why This Moment Matters

War destroys regions.

Water sustains them.

The World Is Watching.

History Is Listening.

If you wish to lead—

Lead with courage, not cruelty.

Lead with restraint, not retaliation.

Lead with truth, not propaganda.

Peace cannot be built on vengeance.

And civilization cannot survive when rivers are turned into weapons.

Let us not become the very monsters we claim to fight.

Let this be a moment of reflection—not escalation.

Iqbal Latif

Thinker. Advocate for principled leadership and a balanced response—not indiscriminate retaliation.

Sindh’s identity

Sindh, historically and culturally, is a region located in present-day Pakistan, and its identity is defined by several key elements. Here’s how some points connect to the concept of Sindh:

  1. Sindhu River: The name “Sindh” is derived from the Sindhu River/ Sindhu Nadi (Indus River), which flows through the region. This river has played a crucial role in the history, culture, and identity of the area, often being regarded as the lifeblood of the region’s civilizations, including the Indus Valley Civilization.
  2. Mohenjo-Daro: Mohenjo-Daro is one of the most important archaeological sites of the Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished around 2500 BCE. This ancient city is located in Sindh and is a symbol of the region’s long history and significant contributions to early human civilization.
  3. Sindhi Sea: There a widely body of water called the “Sindhi Sea.” However, the Arabian Sea borders the southern part of Sindh, as the Arabian Sea is closely associated with Sindh’s coastal areas.
  4. Sindhi Language: The Sindhi language is a major element of Sindh’s identity. It is spoken by millions of people in the region and is an important part of Sindh’s cultural heritage, literature, and traditions.
  5. Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai: Shah Latif is a famous Sindhi poet and a cultural icon of Sindh. His poetry, which blends spiritual and folk themes, is considered a significant part of Sindhi literature and contributes to the region’s cultural and religious identity.

The Indus River has never been a part of Punjab for millions of years

Did you know that before 1580, neither the left bank nor the right bank of the Indus River was ever a part of Punjab? In fact, before this, the word Punjab or the province of Punjab is not mentioned anywhere in history.

The name Punjab was first given in 1580 AD to the areas consisting of the two rivers, Jhelum and Beas, and this name was derived from the fort built by Sher Shah Suri. However, it gained acceptance during the Mughal era when they merged two separate ancient territories, Lahore and Multan, into one province, naming it Punjab and including it within their boundaries.

However, Lahore in ancient times was known by various names such as Luhawar, Luhar, Rahwar, Al Ahwar, and Lav Kot. The name Lahore was first recorded in 982 AD in the Hudood Alam manuscript.

Meanwhile, the historical antiquity of Multan, the land of the Saraikis, dates back to the era of the Indus Valley Civilization, where it existed as a riverine port town. In later periods of known history, it was first called Mul Asthan (high temple/city), while the present name, Multan, is believed to have been derived from the name of a settlement of people called Malla or Malla who traded through the Indus River during the time of Alexander the Great. The current name of Multan was given by the Arabs after they conquered it, naming it the Emirate of Multan.

The British took the larger and more fertile part of Punjab with them to India. It is also a fact that the state of Bahawalpur was never a part of Punjab in history until it was merged into Punjab after the formation of One Unit, even during Ranjit Singh’s era. The original population of Bahawalpur consisted of tribes from Sindh and Rajasthan, and it was established as a state by the Daud Pottas of Sindh.

Saurashtra

Saurashtra which was once part of Sindh
Indus Valley Civilization, which began from Harappa, extending from Mehrgarh to Hanglaaj, and another part beginning from Bikaner, extending to Purbandar and the Dwarka islands, was once a part of Sindh. However, Sindh has now shrunk, and the very foundation of the Sindhi ethnicity has been shaken.
In the Gita, Lord Krishna, referred Sindh to as Saurashtra, which has now been merged into the Indian state of Gujarat.
Although Kuchhi and Kathiawari are two dialects of the Sindhi language, they are now written in the Gujarati script, and the Sindhi people of Kuchh and Kathiawar now consider themselves as Guajarati’s.
The descendants of the Sindhi Kings, such as the descendants of Samma and Rai Sahasi, now read and write in Gujarati script. The descendants of the ruler Jam Abrro, who sacrificed his throne, his life, and even his sons to save one hundred and fifty women during the martyrdom of Dodo Somro of Sindh, and whose descendants founded Jamnagar, now claim that they are not Sindhis. The people of Jamnagar now call themselves Gujarati.
Now, even the descendants of Jam Jadam Jakhro and Jam Laalkho Phlanni do not consider themselves Sindhi.
The descendants Rai Ddiyach, no longer consider themselves Sindhis. The Sindhi Sama and Soomra of Surat, Khumbhaat, and Porbandar have abandoned their Sindhi identity. Now, even the Sindhi belt of Gujarat, Saurashtra, with Nohirra, Rajjarrs and Samejas, reads and writes in Gujarati.

Janann Chan

يارنهن مهينا يل چرئين(For eleven months, you live indulgently).
ٻارهين مهيني روزا رکيئي ٽيھ(Then in the twelfth month, you fast for thirty days.)
ٻوٿ ٻڌل ۽ نفس ڇُڙيل(Your mouth is shut, but your desires are unleashed.)
اها بہ ڪرين ٿو چار سئو ويھ(And still, you commit fraud!)
Poet: Janann Chan (جانڻ چَن)

Gwadar: A Historic Maritime Hub with Deep Cultural and Strategic Significance to Sindh

The history of Gwadar is indeed complex and multi-layered, involving a blend of ancient trade routes, cultural exchanges, and shifting geopolitical boundaries.

  1. Gwadar’s Population in 1958: Prior to its transfer to Pakistan in 1958, the majority of Gwadar’s population was composed of Sindhi-Kuchhi Hindus, Ismailis, and some Makrani community. The region has historically been a melting pot due to its strategic position along important maritime trade routes. This diversity is reflected in the cultural fabric of Gwadar today.
  2. The 1958 Transfer: The transfer of Gwadar from Oman to Pakistan was indeed a significant event. Gwadar had been under the control of Oman since the 18th century, and it was strategically important due to its location along the Arabian Sea. The Emir of Oman, Sayyid bin Taimur, agreed to lease Gwadar to Pakistan in 1958, which led to the region’s integration into Pakistan. At that time, India had indeed expressed interest in the region, as the population of Gwadar was ethnically and culturally closer to the Sindhi-Hindu people, who were part of undivided India before partition. However, the region’s eventual transfer was based on political and strategic considerations, with Pakistan taking ownership of the port.
  3. Historical Trade Routes: The history of Gwadar as part of ancient maritime trade is crucial in understanding its importance. The region has been a key point along the trade routes that connected the Indus Valley Civilization with the broader world, including Persia, Babylon, Egypt, Africa, China, and beyond. Traders from regions like Kathiawar (in present-day India), Sindh, and further east had established themselves in Gwadar for centuries, engaging in commerce, including goods like textiles, spices, and other commodities.
  4. The Archaeological Evidence: The ancient monuments and archaeological findings in the region, such as the remains of old trade settlements, offer valuable insights into Gwadar’s long history. The presence of Kuchhi-Sindhi Hindu and Ismaili Muslim traders is a testament to Gwadar’s deep connections with the wider Sindh region and its role as a hub for maritime trade.
  5. Connection with Kalat: Gwadar has never had any historical connection with the Kalat State until 1958. Kalat, located in present-day Baluchistan, had its own distinct political and cultural identity separate from the coastal region of Gwadar. Gwadar’s affiliation with Kalat was not historically significant, and the region’s connection to Baluchistan only deepened after Pakistan’s formation and the subsequent transfer of Gwadar.

In essence, the history of Gwadar is rich and intertwined with the broader history of the subcontinent and the ancient world. The town’s role as a center of trade and cultural exchange spans several millennia, and it has seen various shifts in political control, from Oman to Pakistan.

DeepSeek

DeepSeek is a revolutionary Chinese AI model that has disrupted the global AI landscape by delivering high performance at an impressively low cost. Developed using Nvidia’s H800 chips and trained for under $6 million, DeepSeek achieves results comparable to or better than leading AI models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which cost significantly more (around $100 million). Its innovative design excels in natural language understanding, data analysis, and AI-driven discovery.

The Indus Water Treaty: Environmental Challenges and the Urgency for Resistance

The Indus Water Treaty, signed on September 19, 1960, between India and Pakistan, is a critical agreement governing the water distribution of the Indus River system. Under this treaty, India was granted control over the waters of three major rivers of Punjab — Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi — while Pakistan retained control over the Indus River and its two key tributaries, the Jhelum and Chenab. The treaty was crucial for both nations, as it not only provided a framework for managing shared water resources but also helped mitigate tensions over water distribution.

Continue reading The Indus Water Treaty: Environmental Challenges and the Urgency for Resistance

The Nile River: Sindh’s Water Theft and the Indus River

In human history, civilizations began with agriculture. Agriculture required flowing freshwater, which could not only be used for cultivation but also provided drinking water for people and animals. Along with the flow of rivers, silt accumulates at the floodplains, which is where human settlements began and new civilizations were established.

Continue reading The Nile River: Sindh’s Water Theft and the Indus River

The life of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the history of his family

The life of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the history of his family, particularly their connections to Sindh and India, is a subject of research and interest. Records sheds light on Jinnah’s roots in Gujarat, India, and specifically the village of Paniali, Gujrat.

Jinnah’s family, particularly his father (Jeenna), was involved in trade and commerce. The land holdings, business activities, and social dynamics of the region provide valuable context about Jinnah’s upbringing and connection to Paniali, a village in Gujarat. Moreover, Jinnah’s father, Jeenna (جيڻا), was linked to the Lohanna community, which had a significant presence in Sindh during its conquest. Many Lohana Hindus, lived in Gujarat, Thhatto, Sindh during that period.

Jinnah’s father was involved in trading goods like leather and fish, transported via sea to Gujarat. This commercial lifestyle deeply influenced Jinnah’s early years, shaping his worldview, language, and education. Additionally, Jinnah’s grandfather, Poonja, was Hindu. Jinnah’s father later migrated to Jhirk, a town in Sindh, with his spiritual guide, Aga Khan, around 1870.

Although there is some debate about the exact birthplace of Jinnah, historical records suggest that his family’s connection to Paniali and Jhirk is significant. Moreover, Paniali is just 80 kilometers away from Poorbandar (پُور بندر), where Mahatma Gandhi was born, highlighting the shared linguistic and cultural roots between the two leaders.
Records suggests that Jinnah’s father was part of the Ismaili Muslim sect, and the Lohannas of Gujarat had embraced Islam. Jinnah himself later converted from the Ismaili sect to Isnaa Ashari Shia sect.

Through these details, it becomes clear that Jinnah’s ancestors were deeply involved in commerce and had strong connections to the Gujarati-speaking region of India. These roots played a major role in shaping Jinnah’s personality, education, and leadership qualities that later defined his role in the partition of India and creation of Pakistan.

Sindhi Parsing System

The Sindhi parsing tool that automatically analyzes the grammatical structure of Sindhi sentence, breaking it down into various components like nouns, verbs, prepositions, adjectives, and more, it identifies each word’s role, whether it’s an adjective, noun, verb, preposition, or other grammatical parts—helping to clarify the sentence structure in both Sindhi and English.

For a detailed understanding of how the tool works, you can visit the official Sindhi Parsing System

The Goal of Life is Happiness

Epicurus, a Greek philosopher, developed a profound perspective on death and happiness that still resonates today. In his view, the pursuit of happiness is the ultimate goal of life, and one of the primary obstacles to this goal is the fear of death. Here’s an elaboration on his key points:

1. The Goal of Life is Happiness

Epicurus believed that happiness, or ataraxia (a state of tranquility and freedom from pain), is the most desirable state in life. He argued that pleasure—defined not as indulgence in excessive physical desires but as the absence of pain and disturbance—is the key to achieving happiness. True happiness comes from cultivating wisdom, friendship, and self-control, not from external riches or fame.

2. Death is the End of Sensation

Epicurus argued that death is not something to fear because it is simply the cessation of sensation. Since we cannot experience or be conscious of anything after death, it is impossible for it to be painful. As he put it, “Death is nothing to us.” When we are alive, death is not present, and when death comes, we are no longer aware. There is no pain or suffering in death because, at that moment, consciousness ceases.

Continue reading The Goal of Life is Happiness

Personhood Rights of Rivers

The concept of granting legal personhood to rivers, known as “Personhood Rights of Rivers,” involves recognizing rivers as entities with legal rights similar to those of human beings. This movement, gaining momentum globally, has seen various countries pass laws to acknowledge rivers as living beings with rights that should be protected by law, just as human rights are. These laws are inspired by the understanding that rivers, like humans, have an inherent value and are integral to the natural balance of ecosystems.
The framework of personhood rights for rivers draws parallels to the rights of individuals, emphasizing their role in sustaining life and biodiversity. Just as the life of a human is sacred in many religions and cultures, with murder being considered a grave crime, rivers are now being seen as deserving of protection from harm, such as pollution or other disruptive activities.
One significant example of this is the legal recognition of the Magpie River in Quebec, Canada. In 2021, the river was granted legal personhood and nine specific rights, which include:

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Budhal Fakir

Bbudhhal Faqir (ٻُڍل فقير), whose real name was Budhhirro Faqir, was a Sindhi Sufi poet, who hailed from the area around Shikarpur. He was born in 1865 in village Bakshi. Bbudhal Faqir had a passion for Sufism and spiritualism since childhood.

Bbudhhal Faqir has an important place in poetry, and his poetry is available in Sindhi-Seraiki languages. His poetry is filled with Sufism, love and spiritual passion. His poetry is also greatly influenced by the folk tales and customs of Sindh, and he had a special love for Sachal sarmast. An important quote in which he expresses his Sufi and spiritual orientation:

“Na mein Sunni, na mein Shia, na mein Muslim,
نا مين سني، نا مين شيعا، نا مين مسلمان,
Ishq asaan da Kaaba Qibla, Ishq da Aali Muqaam!”
عشق اسان ڏا ڪعبا قبله، عشق دا عالي مقام

His poetry is full of deep meanings, in which the color of Sufi mysticism and love prevails.

Hindu

Do you know from where the word HINDU comes from?

The term “Hindu” originates from the Sanskrit word “Sindhu,” which referred to the river Indus in the ancient Indian subcontinent. Over time, “Sindhu” became “Hindu” in Persian, and then “Hindu” was adopted by various cultures and languages to refer to the people living in the region around the river Indus.

Hindu is not a religion, first this word was used by Iranians for Sindhis; Then the word became Indos in Greek; The British read it Indus; From that the word India was formed.

Asha Chand

Born on 23rd March in Mumbai, Asha Chand is a versatile personality, excelling as a publisher, music producer, TV producer, and organizer of social events. She is the daughter of renowned Sindhi language writers, A.G. Uttam and Sundri Uttamchandani.

Asha Chand has been instrumental in advancing the cause of the Sindhi language. She notably created a CD titled “Acho Ta Sindhi Sikhoon,” which has garnered popularity among Sindhi families both in India and internationally. Moreover, she produced a video documentary named “Sindhi Sahit Ji Ttimoorti,” which celebrates the writers pivotal to the inclusion of the Sindhi language in the 8th schedule of the Indian constitution. This documentary was launched in 2000.

In her capacity as a TV producer, Asha Chand has helmed the production of over 25 Sindhi telefilms and tele-serials, which have been aired on platforms such as Doordarshan in India and KTN in Sindh. She has also brought to light the unpublished works of her mother, Sundri Uttamchandani.

Additionally, Asha Chand is recognized for her unwavering commitment to organizing various events that aim to foster the Sindhi language, culture, and music.

Love story of Seema

The love story of a brave married Sindhi girl Seema who entered in India via Napal border allegedly without visa to meet and to live with her Indian husband Sachin Meena because after much efforts she didn’t get success to get India’s visa. Her love affair was began through online Pubg game.

Cancer fighting natural foods

Proper nutrition is a crucial component in preventing cancer, with studies showing that dietary changes can potentially prevent up to 35% of cancer cases.
These foods are packed with essential vitamins, antioxidants, carotenoids, flavonoids and other beneficial substances that boost the immune system and help to prevent cancer.
Anti cancer foods.
Flaxseed, 2. Tomatoes, 3. Avocado, 4. Garlic, 5. Beans & Lentils, 6. Cabbage Brussels sprouts, broccoli, green leaves, 7. Berries, 8. Grapes, 9. Green Tea, 10. Soy, 11. Carrots, 12. Fatty Fish, 13. Walnuts

Benefits of vitamin B1

Vitamin B1 has many benefits. It helps to convert food into energy, keeps the nervous system healthy, helps to maintain healthy skin, hair, and eyes, and helps to support cardiovascular health. It also helps to regulate blood sugar levels, helps to improve mood. Vitamin B1 also plays a role in the production of red blood cells, helps to maintain muscle tone, and helps to protect the body from damage caused by free radicals.

Rabindranath Tagore

“Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high; Where knowledge is free; Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls; Where the words come out from the depth of truth; Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection; Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit; Where the mind is led forward by Thee into ever-widening thought and action– Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.” ~ Rabindranath Tagore

What will happen if time stops!

It is not possible for time to stop. Time is a fundamental aspect of the universe and is connected to the concept of change and the flow of events. Without time, it is not clear how the universe would function or how events would unfold. The laws of physics, as we understand them, rely on the passage of time and would break down if time were to stop. However, it is possible to slow down time or to experience time differently under certain conditions. For example, time appears to pass more slowly for objects moving at very high speeds or for objects in strong gravitational fields. This phenomenon, known as time dilation, is a result of the relativistic effects predicted by the theory of relativity. However, this does not mean that time has actually stopped; it just means that the rate at which time passes appears to be different from an outside observer.

Vision board for 2023

A vision board is a visual representation of your goals and aspirations. It can be a powerful tool for helping you focus on what you want to achieve and can serve as a reminder of your priorities. Here are some steps you can follow to create a vision board for 2023:

  1. Identify your goals: What do you want to achieve in 2023? Think about your personal, professional, and financial goals. Write down a list of everything you want to accomplish in the coming year.
  2. Gather materials: You’ll need some supplies to create your vision board, such as a large piece of paper or poster board, scissors, glue or tape, and any other materials you’d like to use (such as magazine clippings, photos, stickers, etc.).
  3. Collect visual representations of your goals: Look through magazines or online to find pictures, quotes, or other visual elements that represent your goals. Cut these out or print them out and set them aside.
  4. Lay out your vision board: Arrange the visual elements on your board in a way that makes sense to you. You can group them by category (e.g., personal goals, professional goals, etc.) or arrange them in a way that reflects the importance of each goal.
  5. Add any additional elements: If you have any other items that you’d like to include on your vision board (such as stickers, notes, or personal photos), go ahead and add them.
  6. Display your vision board: Hang your vision board in a place where you’ll see it every day, such as on your bedroom wall or in your office. This will help you stay motivated and focused on your goals.

Your vision for 2023 is entirely up to you and should be based on your personal goals and aspirations. Some ideas for your vision board might include:

Continue reading Vision board for 2023

Cotton from prehistoric Indus Valley found in 7,200 year old village in Israel

Cotton fibers have been found in Tel Tsaf, a site in the Near East, dating back to around 7,000 years ago. The researchers believe that the cotton originated from the Indus Valley (present day Sindh, Pakistan), though they do not rule out the possibility of an African origin. The researchers suggest that the cotton may have been brought to Tel Tsaf through trading. The earliest known evidence of cotton’s use is from the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period at the Mehrgarh burial site in Pakistan, where cotton threads were used to string copper beads around 8,500 to 7,500 years ago. The earliest known cotton fabric is a fragment of cloth found at Mohenjo-Daro, also in Sindh, Pakistan, dating back to around 5,000 to 4,750 years ago.

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