Dr Sayeeduddin, a distinguished scholar, professor, and author, passed away on July 9, 2024, in Karachi after a brief illness. Born on January 11, 1954, in Karachi to a respected family from Agra, he pursued his M.A., LL.B., and Ph.D. from Karachi University, securing first-class third position in M.A. Political Science (1976). His teaching career spanned three major Pakistani universities-Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Baluchistan University, and Mehran University of Engineering & Technology.
Dr Sayeeduddin had visited Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran along with his wife, Dr Shehla Kazmi, Former Director of Quaid-i-Azam Academy, Karachi.
He was a prolific writer, known for his books Mashriqi Pakistan Ka Zawal, A Textbook of Pakistan Studies, and Pakistan Mein Intikhabat Aur Siyasat, alongside numerous articles. His Ph.D. thesis, Political Role of Military & Bureaucracy in Pakistan (1947-1992), remains unpublished.
Among his works, Mashriqi Pakistan Ka Zawal stands out as a meticulously researched account of East Pakistan’s separation, first published in May 1979 when he was a lecturer at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan. The book, containing 120 pages, provides a detailed historical, political, and economic analysis of the factors that led to the tragic disintegration of Pakistan in 1971.
Dr Sayeeduddin’s central argument revolves around the role of Islam and Urdu as unifying forces that had bound the two wings of Pakistan together. He highlights how East Bengal played a crucial role in the country’s creation, pointing out that 96% of Bengali Muslims voted for Pakistan in 1946 and that A.K. Fazlul Haq, a Bengali leader, presented the Pakistan Resolution in 1940. He underscores that Pakistan’s foundation was built on Islam and the collective struggle of Indian Muslims, rather than regional or ethnic identities.
A significant portion of the book is devoted to linguistic tensions and their role in creating discord between East and West Pakistan. Dr Sayeeduddin critically examines Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s 1948 speech in Dhaka, where he declared Urdu as the state language. The author argues that while provinces could promote their own languages, the decision to introduce Bengali as a second state language in 1954 was a turning point. He suggests that a more strategic policy on language might have helped maintain national unity.
The book also delves into political and economic grievances that fueled the separatist movement. It provides an in-depth critique of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s six-point agenda, which Dr Sayeeduddin believed was misinterpreted as a call for secession. Citing L.F. Rush Brook Williams’ book, The East Pakistan Tragedy, he highlights that Mujib never initially demanded separation; rather, he sought greater autonomy within a united Pakistan. The book argues that had the West Pakistani leadership engaged in meaningful dialogue, the rift between the two wings could have been bridged.
The final chapters discuss Pakistan’s reaction to the loss of East Pakistan. Dr Sayeeduddin describes how people from Peshawar to Karachi rejected Bangladesh’s recognition in public meetings. However, the Pakistani government formally recognised Bangladesh in 1974 following the OIC Summit in Lahore.
The author’s analysis presents a thought-provoking and deeply researched perspective on the Fall of Dhaka, challenging conventional narratives. He asserts that had Pakistan remained committed to its founding principles-Islam as the ideological base and Urdu as a unifying language-the tragic separation could have been avoided.
Throughout his life, Dr Sayeeduddin remained deeply concerned about Pakistan’s national integrity. He believed that neglecting Islam and Urdu could harm the country’s stability-a concern he often expressed in conversation with his wife, Dr Shehla Kazmi (Former Director of Quaid-i-Azam Academy, Karachi).
His writings reflect a profound understanding of history, politics, and national identity. Mashriqi Pakistan Ka Zawal remains a significant contribution to political literature, offering valuable insights into one of Pakistan’s most defining moments. Dr Sayeeduddin’s intellectual legacy will continue to inspire future generations, even though his absence leaves a void that no one can truly fill.