Why have Sindhi and Pashtun regional movements demanded greater autonomy in Pakistan?

Regional movements in Pakistan, including those of the Sindhi and Pashtun peoples, have demanded greater autonomy primarily as a response to the perceived dominance of the Punjab province and the centralization of power within the national government.1

These movements are rooted in the following factors:

• National Integration Challenges: The regions that formed Pakistan were integrated into a design not of their own choosing, leading to persistent tensions between diverse cultural and historical groups.1
• Centralized Authority: Regional groups have struggled against a highly centralized state, which they feel has failed to provide equitable representation in the bureaucratic and military establishments.1
• Resource Disparity: There is a long-standing conflict over the distribution of economic resources and development funds, with less-privileged regions often feeling marginalized by the federal government.1
• Cultural Identity: For Sindhi speakers, the marginalization felt after the 1947 partition—compounded by the influx of Urdu-speaking muhajirs—has fueled a desire to protect their distinct linguistic and cultural identity. Similarly, Pashtun groups have historically advocated for greater regional recognition, sometimes expressed through the goal of Pakhtunistan.21

Ultimately, these movements seek effective decentralization of power within a federal system to ensure greater regional representation and autonomy.1