Ethnicity is relating to a human group having cultural, linguistic, religious and racial traits in common. Pakistan is a multi-ethnic country, where almost everything is under the influence of ethnic groups. Among these entities Punjabi, Sindhi, Baloch and Pakhtuns are most powerful. The effect of these groups is more visible in the politics of the country.
Almost every political party is based upon regional identity. The leaders of the party are normally leaders of ethnic groups and represent regional interests rather than national.
Even being aware of the fact that their party is doing nothing for the welfare, they blindly continue to support their party. Due to this a national party has less support of the masses than the regional political party. These kinds of results dishearten the honest leaders who actually want to serve the country.
The region-based party because of ethnic background can’t make any policy which is not in favour of the regional people. For instance, we can see this problem in the most striking issue of Kalabagh dam, where government is powerless in implementing its national policy even though it has resources.
Ethnic government even fails in keeping the nation united, the winning party always tries to secure its group interests that may annoy other groups that usually leads to downfall of government. If the government tries to secure Punjab’s interests, strikes start in Sindh, which has negative effects on socio-economic conditions of the country.
HUMERA GULNAZ
Lahore
