The Discourse Of The National Question And The Left-Ethno-Nationalists Nexus In Pakistan:The Case Of Baloch And Sindhi Nationalist Movements,1970-1988

This dissertation examines two rivalling discourses of the national question in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,one supported by the Pakistani State and the other by the ethno-nationalists,who formed a cooperative nexus with the leftist groups in the country.More specifically,this study investigates the historical and material conditions indispensable for the formation of such nexus between the left and the ethnic-nationalist forces during the Baloch and Sindhi nationalist movements(1970-1988).Theoretically,this investigation is informed by three major theories on ethnicity and ethnonationalism,namely Primordialism,Constructionism and the Instrumentalism.Moreover,in constructing an apt theoretical framework,it also revisits the debates of the national question between Lenin,Rosa Luxemburg,and an Indian communist leader,ManabendraNath Roy,popularly known as M.N.Roy.The findings presented in this dissertation suggest that,firstly,the left and nationalist nexus in Pakistan share a common belief that their joint resistance against the repressive policies of the State will challenge the State's narrative of 'One Nation'and the elite's monopoly over the State power.Secondly,this study shows that ever since the inception of Pakistan,the national question was and still is a paramount issue to the leftists in the country,who simply cannot afford to ignore it.Finally,it is argued that despite all the repressive actions it had taken to suppress the alternative discourses on the national question,nationalism and nationalist movements remain as a serious challenge to the Pakistani State,even more than so than the threats and instabilities caused by religious conflicts.