Saraikistan Watan Party

Formation and Manifesto of the Saraikistan Watan Party

Background and Formation

• On January 22, 2026 the "Saraikistan Qaumi Council" was officially renamed as the Saraikistan Watan Party during a meeting held at Jhok Saraiki, Multan.

• All office bearers and members of the former council fully endorsed the foundation of this new political party.

• Immediately upon its formation, work commenced on drafting the party's constitution, manifesto, and core objectives.

Leadership

• Founder: Zahoor Dhareja (Founded on January 22, 2026 )

• Chairman: Zahoor Dhareja

Aims and Objectives

• Provincial Autonomy: The party believes in the integrity of Pakistan and demands the creation of a separate "Saraikistan" province within the federation.

• Social Justice: It commits to an ongoing struggle against oppression, injustice, and tyranny. It advocates for the rights of workers and farmers, aiming to dismantle the unfair systems of feudalism and capitalism.

• Constitutional Reforms: Demands a new social contract among the nationalities living in Pakistan and calls for elections for a new Constituent Assembly.

• Resource Allocation: Insists that local populations must have the primary right to government lands in any part of the country. It also demands a fair share in the NFC Award, population-based budget allocation, and fair employment quotas.

• Peace and Equality: Calls for the complete eradication of religious extremism and sectarianism.

• Language and Culture: Demands national language status for all Pakistani native languages, making their education mandatory in institutions. A core manifesto point is to promote and protect the distinct culture, civilization, and geographical boundaries of the Saraiki Waseeb (homeland).

• Administrative and Judicial Demands:

  • Establishment of a separate High Court and a Supreme Court bench in the Saraiki region.

  • A distinct CSS quota and a separate Public Service Commission.

  • Formation of a "Saraiki Regiment" in the Pakistan Army.

  • Until the new province is officially established, the Multan and Bahawalpur Civil Secretariats should be made fully functional and upgraded to the status of Provincial Secretariats.

• Civil Rights and Education: Demands national identity cards to be printed in the Saraiki language, the abolition of discriminatory entry tests, and an end to the class-based education system. It strongly opposes the unfair distribution of land (Bandar Baant) in Saraikistan.

Future Outlook The Saraikistan Watan Party vows to work tirelessly, day and night, in the best interests of the country and the nation. It aims to march forward alongside the people of the Waseeb, with a special focus on guiding and empowering the youth.

History of Sindhi Script

 سندھی حروف تہجی دی تاریخ 

موجودہ سندھی رسم الخط 1853ء وچ بݨیا ہے۔

مخدوم ہاشم سندھی وچ سیرت تے تفسیر سمیت نئوں کتاباں لکھیاں ہن۔

عزت بن سلیمان: 1657ء

ابوالحسن:1700ء

مخدوم ہاشم:1713ء

مخدوم عبداللہ نارائی: آپ دی ولادت 1125ھ (تقریباً 1713ء) دے قریب تھئی تے آپ دا وصال 1207ھ (بمطابق 1792ء) وچ تھیا۔

نوٹ: سر فرانسس برٹن 1849ء وچ لکھدے  جو سرائیکی دے پنج خاص حروف ہن۔ ایندے نال ایہ ثابت تھیندے جو  سرائیکی حروف تہجی 1849ء کنوں پہلے ہی مقرر تھی ڳئے ہن ۔

Population of Saraiki language

 The demographic and linguistic landscape of the Saraiki-speaking belt—often referred to as the "Waseb"—is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s cultural and economic identity. Your breakdown accurately reflects the distinction between native speakers and the broader linguistic reach of the language.

Here is a detailed look at the population dynamics and the significance of the Saraiki language within these 18 districts having total area 1,23,607 square kilometers.

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1. The Population Pillar: 50 Million Strong

The 18 districts typically associated with the proposed Saraiki province (spanning across South Punjab and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan) constitute a massive demographic block.

• Geographic Core: This includes major divisions like Multan, Bahawalpur, and Dera Ghazi Khan, along with districts like Mianwali, Bhakar, Dera Ismail Khan, Paharpur and Tank. The area of Saraikistan is 1,23,607 sq km . 

• Economic Weight: With a population of 50 million, this region is larger than many European countries. It serves as the "breadbasket" of the region, contributing significantly to wheat, cotton, and sugarcane production.

2. The 2023 Census: Native Identity

According to the 2023 Census data, approximately 30 million people identified Saraiki as their mother tongue (L1 speakers).

• Recognition: This confirms Saraiki as one of the most widely spoken languages in Pakistan.

• Cultural Preservation: Despite the lack of formal patronage in the past, the language has thrived through oral traditions, folk music, and the profound influence of Sufi poetry (most notably by Khwaja Ghulam Farid).

3. The "Lingua Franca" Effect: Reaching 40 Million+

Your estimate that the total number of speakers exceeds 40 million is sociolinguistically sound. In a multilingual society, "total speakers" always outnumber "native speakers" due to several factors:

• Trade and Markets: In cities like Multan and Bahawalpur, Saraiki is the language of the marketplace. Punjabi, Balochi, and Pashto speakers residing in these districts often learn Saraiki for business and daily social interaction.

• The "Sweetness" Factor: Saraiki is famously known as Meethi Boli (the sweet language). Its phonetic softness makes it accessible and attractive for non-native residents to adopt as a second language.

• Inter-Ethnic Integration: High rates of inter-marriage and centuries of shared history have created a bilingual environment where the transition between Saraiki, Punjabi, and Urdu is seamless.

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Comparison of Speaker Demographics

Category	Population Estimate	Description
Total Regional Population	50 Million	Total residents of the 18 core districts.
Native (L1) Speakers	30 Million	People who recorded Saraiki as their first language in the 2023 Census.
Total Communicative Reach	40+ Million	Includes bilingual residents and those who use it as a secondary language.

The Significance of the "Saraiki Waseb"

The transition from 30 million to 40 million+ speakers highlights that Saraiki isn't just an ethnic marker; it is a regional connector. It bridges the gap between the Indus Valley's diverse communities, serving as a medium for literature, media, and political discourse.

Note: The vibrancy of the Saraiki language is a testament to its resilience. As urbanization increases in South Punjab, the role of Saraiki as a unifying regional identity continues to strengthen.