What do you know about ethnicity in Pakistan? Do you think its emergence as a serious threat to national integration of Pakistan? Explain your opinion with reference to various scholarly evidences and suggest your recommendations to deal with it.

Introduction

Ethnicity refers to a shared identity based on common language, culture, descent, history or territory. In Pakistan, ethnic identities — Punjabi, Pashtun, Sindhi, Baloch, Mohajir, Saraiki and others — coexist with a national identity rooted in Islam and the Pakistan Movement. When ethnic groups feel excluded from power and resources, ethnicity becomes politicised and can challenge national integration.

Theories

Primordialists see ethnic identity as deep-rooted and natural. Instrumentalists, such as Paul Brass, argue that elites mobilise ethnic identity to compete for power and resources. Constructivists see identities as shaped by history and state policies. Pakistan's experience largely supports the instrumentalist and constructivist views: ethnic movements intensified when the state centralised power and distributed resources unequally.

Ethnic movements

The Bengali movement, rooted in language, economic disparity and exclusion, culminated in the separation of East Pakistan in 1971. Sindhi nationalism, associated with G. M. Syed, grew from the loss of land, jobs and political control after Partition and One Unit. Baloch nationalism has produced several insurgencies (1948, 1958, 1962, 1973–77 and since 2004), driven by demands for control over resources and autonomy. Pashtun nationalism, once linked to the Pakhtunistan demand, has largely been integrated into mainstream politics, though new movements have raised issues of security and rights. The Mohajir movement in Karachi from the 1980s articulated the grievances of Urdu-speakers over quotas and representation. Saraiki activists demand a separate province in southern Punjab.

Is ethnicity a serious threat?

Scholars differ. Writers such as Feroz Ahmed (Ethnicity and Politics in Pakistan) and Adeel Khan (Politics of Identity) argue that ethnic conflict stems from a centralised, Punjabi-dominated military–bureaucratic state, and that continued denial of rights could threaten national unity, as 1971 showed. Hamza Alavi highlighted the role of the educated middle class — the "salariat" — competing for state jobs. Others, such as Tahir Amin and Ayesha Jalal, note that most ethnic movements in Pakistan seek autonomy and fair shares within the federation rather than secession, and that democratic federalism has reduced tensions.

In my view, ethnicity in itself is not a threat; diversity is natural. It becomes a serious threat when combined with economic deprivation, political exclusion and the use of force. Today, the Baloch insurgency and violence against settlers are serious security concerns, but most ethnic politics in Pakistan is expressed through elections, parliament and negotiation.

Root causes

Over-centralisation and long periods of military rule; unequal development and resource distribution; disputes over water, gas royalties and the census; under-representation in state institutions; language policies; and external interference exploiting local grievances.

Recommendations

Implement the 18th Amendment fully and devolve power to elected local governments; ensure fair distribution of resources through the NFC and benefit-sharing for resource-producing regions; accelerate development in Balochistan, the merged districts and southern Punjab; pursue political dialogue with disaffected groups alongside counter-terrorism; protect regional languages and cultures; ensure transparent censuses; and build an inclusive national narrative of equal citizenship.

Conclusion

Ethnicity is a permanent feature of Pakistan's social fabric. It threatens national integration only when the state ignores grievances and suppresses identities. A democratic, federal and just Pakistan can turn ethnic diversity from a source of conflict into a source of strength.