There is not a single word in election manifesto of Pakistan People's
Party

1-About Seraiki people and Seraiki wasaib.

2-About autonomy of provinces.

3-About cancellation of allotments of Seraiki lands.

4-About restoration of trade unions in industrial fields.

5-About restoration of students unions.

6-About N.F.C Award.

7-About agricultural reforms.
Aslam Rasool Puri
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Re: [Seraiki] Not a single word

Saein Rasoolpuri Sahib,

You are absolutely right. There is not a single world on/about "Seraiki" in the manifesto of Pakistan Peoples Party or any other main-stream electoral party contesting the current election.

What does it signify? We need to ponder this question. Besides the fault of the Party to ignore such a large wasaib, there might be some problems with us. We are not effective enough to register our concerns in politico-electoral arena.

I tried to scan last six manifestos of Pakistan Peoples' Party (which are posted on its website). It provides an interesting comparison. For example, the impression I got from reading the latest manifesto was as if I were reading the document of the World Bank. The manifesto is loaded with the buzz words like poverty reduction, foreign direct investment, social safety nets, etc. This is clearly the language of neo-liberalism-the ideology of the international financial institutions (IFIs).

Take the example of education. It is clearly stated the higher education will be the priority of the party if it comes into power. Currently, foreign private investors are pouring billions of dollars into higher education sector because it is becoming the most profitable sector. Thus the primary education which is the basic problem/necessity of the majority of underclass people is bypassed.

The whole manifesto is the manifestation of the power of international capital/Empire

There is a lot of rhetoric about employment generation. Again, the close reading suggests that employment generation is promised into sectors that are mostly funded with foreign loans.

There is a brief mention about "Census" that it will be held regularly. However, there is no mention how it will be made credible and inclusive. As you know the census has been the major tool for the manipulation of identity and demography.



With best regards,

Mushtaq Gaadi
Editor
SUNJJAN (SIraiki Journal of Language and Literature)

You point of veiw is strong in particular context
but
what is the future of regional languages on national and international scenario. are they going to exist just as the language of a lingual strip or preserving human history in indiginous form
a political party manifesto cant be so particular or specific unless the intellectual bigones of that belt prove their worth. for it critical works are required in various languages, comparative studies is required but sariaki intellectuals are yet far away
so let us creat a forum where we can make the comparative studies, critical works and socio-political readings of saraili classics

THANKS