Below is an abstract of the press release issued by the World Sindhi Congress on the Sindhi Unity Forum AGM and the International Conference “Sindh & Democracy” held on 16th-17th September 2006, at Conway Hall, London.

World Sindhi Congress – Sindhi Unity Forum AGM & International Conference “Sindh & Democracy” held on 16th-17th September 2006, at Conway Hall, London, has demanded referendum under UN supervision to allow the Sindhis to exercise their Right to Self Determination, as per recent international law and practices.

Emphasising that Sindh has always remained independent, apart from short periods in its ten thousand year history, until it was conquered by British Empire in 1843 and merged with British India. Sindhis having been given no other option by the British rulers but to join Pakistan or India, instead of restoring their pre-colonisation independent status, opted to join the newly created state of Pakistan in 1947 on the basis of Pakistan Resolution of 1940, promising ‘... autonomous & sovereign status of constituent units’. Due to the failed promises and threat posed to the geo-political integrity of the motherland, threatening the survival of Sindhis, and Sindh being denied its socio-economic, cultural, civil, political and historic national rights, continuing violation of constitutional and human rights of Sindhis, its leaves no other option for Sindhis, except to exercise their inherent and inalienable Right to Self Determination, as per international law & practices.

WSC appeals to Sindhis all over the world to participate actively in this process and make it successful for the sake of the millions of Sindhis around the world, to help restore and protect the historical national rights of Sindhis and find a way forward for the future generations.