Feudalism has been gradually eliminated in a number of countries but somehow it still exists very strongly in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh, although not in its original sense.

Now we don't find feudals who maintain private armies or collect taxes, but what we definitely find is large landholdings, bonded labour as well as total allegiance of peasants in return for economic support and personal protection.

As a result there is a very strong control of 'feudals' and 'waderas' in all parts of Sindh who have a direct influence on the economic life of the poor and also enjoy control over 'thanas' and the 'official machinery' in the province.

Due to the colossal power base of the 'feudal' no one can dare to raise his voice against the 'land-lord' for fear of being economically crippled or facing the wrath of terror which can be unleashed at anytime.

This fear is so strong and peasants so terrified that they seem to have accepted the domination, which goes totally against the basic human rights. The situation also creates hurdles in the democratic process in the province as the freedom of vote is suppressed.

From the point of view of the 'feudal' the concept is very simple. Keep the people backward and uneducated, economically dependent, rule them through 'thanas' and the 'official machinery' and consolidate your power over the area.

The problem of lack of education is very acute and has its far-reaching effects on the over-all situation. Half of the children of the school-going age do not attend schools.

Most of the schools constructed are without teachers and students, and are more commonly used as 'autaqs' of 'waderas'. Why is this so? Is it because the feudal does not want the children educated? To a large extent the answer is yes.

Education has an inverse relationship with feudalism. The feudal wants total supremacy. He cannot tolerate impudence or a poor peasant or his children standing up and saying 'No' to him.

Mass education will lead to economic independence for the poor and they will become more eligible for jobs and 'waderas' do not want this to happen. Feudals also keep peasants economically under their thumb.

The poverty level in the interior of Sindh is alarmingly low. As per a recent ADB report, the poverty ratios in Sindh and Baluchistan are twice as high as in other provinces of Pakistan.

Sindh's rural population comprises small or subsistence-level farmers, landless sharecroppers, agricultural labourers and livestock herders. The problem of poverty in the province is compounded by low rainfall, poor quality water, saline land and lack of water supply because of the poor quality of canal irrigation system.

The facility of micro credit to deserving people is also non-existent. As a result the poor peasant is forced to work for the feudal at practically non-existent remuneration.

The feudal undertakes to fulfil his basic requirements of food and shelter in return for total allegiance (including that of his family) to him. This means the peasant has to give his life for the feudal if need be.

In case, the peasant also has some subsistence land holding, he cultivates his land side by side. For his farming requirement he borrows funds, in cash or kind from the feudal. Even if the crop fails, the loans have to be returned.

This means compounding his debt towards the feudal. This eternal, vicious circle continues with the poor never getting out of the loop. At times, if micro credit is available, the feudal goes to the extent of borrowing funds from the financial institutions in the name of the peasant, thereby further compounding his economic problems and miseries.

A major tool used by the feudal against the peasants is the misuse of the 'thana' and the 'official machinery'. Due to lack of education and non-awareness of their rights, peasants of Sindh have no clue about the way the judicial and the police system 'should' work. (Although they know by experience how it actually works).

Their basic problem is getting respite from the day to day petty issues like a fight or quarrel, theft of livestock, burglary etc. If they go directly to the 'Thana' their problem is not solved, rather it is compounded and they get booked in some crime or on some false pretext,as corruption is common.

On the other hand if they go through the feudal, a case which otherwise could not be registered, gets registered. The power of the feudal is so immense that a person can be illegally confined in lock-up; false cases registered against him or in an extreme situation, face the consequence of a fake encounter.

The feudal also ensures that officers of his choice are posted in his area which he easily manoeuvres through his power base. Through this illegal control the peasant is totally kept under the thumb.

Of course feudalism is not the only reason for the backwardness in the province but is one of the many ills imposed on people. Without going into the severity of the issue, one thing is evident; feudalism is a curse and needs to be tackled sincerely.

The poor need to improve on the poverty ladder, and to achieve this goal, the government and the people need to work together. Are land reforms the only solution, probably not? One thing is certain, serious thought needs to be given to spreading education in the province, improving the economic well-being, promoting cooperatives, improving the water supply and increasing the yield per acre, making people aware of their rights so that the dependence on the feudal is greatly reduced.

A positive change in the attitude, mind-sets and culture is required. The key issues that have to be tackled are reducing dependence of the rural poor on the feudal, more so in the area of protection and economics.

The influence of the feudal in the government machinery has to be curtailed and dissemination of justice by the judicial system without any interference from the powerful is a must.

The poor people have to be made aware of their rights and how these can be enforced independently. The educated people, professionals and the NGOs have to come forward and play their due role.

An organisation, on the lines of CPLC in Karachi, which can guide the rural people about their legal and political rights, is a possible solution. The 'Thana' and the 'Government Machinery' need to be totally independent from any undue influence.

On the economics side alternate sources of livelihood need to be explored. Leadership, direction and provision of soft micro credit must be provided to entrepreneurs who can start their own small businesses.

Once these are accessible, sky is the limit for growth. There are vast opportunities available for backward and forward integration in agriculture. These two issues of protection and economics need to be tackled on priority basis, increase in the literacy rate is sure to follow.

Do we have feudals in the urban areas also? The answer probably would be Yes. Although they may not derive their power base from massive land holdings, but same is achieved through other means.

The purpose is common - keep the people subservient to them by using all means - and further strengthen your individual power base. The concept of feudalism needs to be curbed on a priority basis in order to achieve progress and prosperity in our beloved country.