Leading Role of Political Dynasties of Faisalabad Division in Politics-1985-2015

Abstract

Faisalabad Division is comprised of four districts namely Chiniot District, Faisalabad District, Jhang District and Toba Tek Singh District Faisalabad, whose old name is Lyallpur, is famous as Manchester of Pakistan being industrial city. The foundation of Lyallpur was laid in 1896 on the direction of the then time Lt. Governor of the Punjab, Sir James Loyal. Before 1880, it was known as Chenab colony. The map of Faisalabad was planned by Sir Ganga-Ram. River Chenab is at a distance 25-miles towards north-west and river Ravi is at about 27-miles towards East. Area in between these rivers was named Sandal Bar. Strong establishment in central government in sub-continent goes to chandar Gupt Moria, Ashoka family, However different tribes like Pehlvi, Parthvi, Satwahan etc, all are note worthy Hindu rulers. Alexandar the great, Muhammad Bin Qasim, Ghaznvi, Ghori, Mir-Taimor, Subsequent rulers and later Ahmad Shah Abdali attacked the northern side of the India and east India company entered from southern side these invaders brought change in civilization, cultural impact and political thinking. Pre-partition Punjab is attractive site due to fertility of the land. So land was devided accordingly to rain fall in this region, namely Sandal Bar, Gunji Bar, Karana Bar, Gondal Bar, Neeli Bar are famous due to agricultural products. Plateau of potohar is famous for oldest civilation of the world. Sandy and deserted area is of cholistan lies in Bahawalpur-Division and Thal in Sindh tributaries. Gordaspur, Amirsar Ferozpur, Lahore, Kasur in upper souty of Bari-tributory is called Majha, peoples of this area are famous for bravery, healthy, lilitary support culture. Old Punjab was partitioned under the act of 3rd June 1947. Which resulted, Lahore division consisting of Gujranwala, Sheikhpura and Sialkot. Second Division was Multan, having Dera Ghazi Khan, Jhang, Lyallpur, Sahiwal and Muzzaffargarh while in third division, Rawalpindi, Attock , Jhelum. Sseikhpura and Mian-wali District were added. After the breakup of west Pakistan, Punjab Province restored back by general Yahya Khan in 1070. Fertility of the land made Punjab Prominent from other provinces whereas it maintained its cultural as well as traditions. Whereas the percentage of Rajpoot, Jatt, and Arains is more than Pathans or Sindhis in Punjab. As compared to Hindu Caste system, every villager has caste that represent his personality and recognition. Present Punjab is the biggest province of Pakistan on the basis of population. Punjab has nine Divisions and Faisalabad is one to them. The main tribes and castes which are settled in Faisalabad division are Jatt, Arain, Gujjar, Rajput, Mughal, Syed, Pathan, Balochi, Bhatti, Awan and Kashmiri. Before the creation of Pakistan there was a difference between locals and settlers. Afterward, Faisalabad division was molded with the arrival of Mahajreen. The agricultural system is the main cause of its prosperity. The main power of influence lies in villages. British rulers, like Mughals, established administrative management basing the landlord’s co-operation. The term Biradary, is used on small scale level while caste is used at broader level. The basic unit of Punjab Biradarism is village. Its social structure has much low-level itself. These are, Arain, Aroray, Awan, Baloch, Pathan, Pakhi-was, peernay, Jutt, Chohray (Khakh-roob) Dogar, Doom, Rajpoot structures are due to political power and influence. The major Biradaries as accepted by British rulers, Sayyed, Sheikh, Bucher, Kamboh, Kanjar, Khoja, Gujjar, Laghari, Mizari, Makhdom, Gillani, Dohay, Noon, Watto, Moakhal, Twanay, Doltany, Ranay, Roy, Cheema, Chatha, Khosa, Sial, Mazari, Bosal, Kharal, Jiwana, Varyo, Niazi, Khawaja Sheikh, Kashmiri. Much has been written about political situation in Punjab but topic is unique and significant for further investigation of reasons of presence/support of Biradary system in politics of Faisalabad Division. Despite huge politics and social changes during last 70-years, the electoral politics in Pakistan has remained largely basing on family enterprises, Yet Biradary/caste system, is very prominent in Faisalabad Division. Biradary system is follow up old Aryas’s Social system. Hindu-Society strictly adhere where as Muslims replace this with Biradary system. In 1970, on slogan of Roti, Kapara Makkan, Biradary system was broken at provincial and national level yet local grouping remained in contact in local bodies election. However in Zia-ul-Haq regime local bodies election, on-party basis, played very crucial role in up-rooting the Biradary system. Never-theless in General election in 1988, 1990, 1996 and in 2002, the political impact of Biradary system lessened in general election in Punjab. Even then Biradary system remained empowered due to the reason of chairman’s election which were held on the baiss of Biradary system is the indicative of fact that Biradary system campaign remain incontact in National/Provincial or local bodies organizations. That is why regionalism got severe in Punjabi politics and the Baradarism engulfed the province of the Punjab with different Baradaries who got more tendancy of the tradition of Baradarism during martial law, because Political parties cound not take part in politics directly. Before independence, Arain and Jutt Biradary was prominent in local bodies election. Major political party was unionist party and afterward Muslim league achieved historical victory due to Jutt and Arain Biradary. Later on due to migrated peoples made sandal Bar prosperous (Faisalabad Div). Peasants of Faisalabad are more powerful than non-peasants due to Biradism. Up to 1970, Jutt, Rajpoot and Arain was in majority. There are 200-political parties registered with election commission of Pakistan. Some active parties are described. Ratio of different Biradarism based memberism National Assembly in Faisalabad division is as Rajputt: Sayyed: Arain: Religious: Baloch: Jutt: Ansari: Gujjar: Khan: Awan: Malik: Sial: Cheema. The average statistical data for Punjab Provincial Assembly is :: 24%: 18% :14%: 6%: 5%: 17%: 4%: 2%: 4%: 2%: 4%: 1%: 1%: 2%: 1%: 1%: for above Biradaries in Faisalabad division. The prescribed ratio has slight variation in this division of winning of seats in general election year 1988, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2002, 2008, 2013 for provincial assemblies. However, no political party formally nominated candidates for district council’s chairmanship in election 2013. So Biradaries nominated and planned especially for the success of their councilors. No doubt, the factors of urbanization and industrialization slow down the impact of Biradarism but the process is snail paced which has negative effects on national politics. Incapable, vulgar elements, joined politics as profession and idealized traditions like good will, tolerance unanimity are diminished. To eliminate the Baridarism impact in political system. We should impart and expand education system, provision of justice and fairply be made for idealized politics, maturity of people’s political consciousness, rectitude of political parties and finally increasing the representation of low classes of the society in politics.