The Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) has strongly opposed the recent resolution passed by the Sindh Assembly that rejects the creation of a separate Karachi province, labeling the move as unconstitutional. The party emphasized that Article 239 of the 1973 Constitution explicitly permits the formation of new provinces, thereby challenging the provincial assembly’s stance. This development comes just a day after the Sindh Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution declaring Karachi an inseparable part of Sindh and dismissing any attempts to carve it out as an independent province.
During a joint press conference, MQM-P Chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, accompanied by prominent party leaders including Farooq Sattar, Mustafa Kamal, and Senator Faisal Subzwari, voiced their concerns over the resolution. Siddiqui criticized the provincial government for what he described as an unconstitutional act, highlighting that the Constitution not only allows the creation of new provinces but also provides mechanisms such as referendums under Article 48(6) to facilitate such changes. He accused the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of passing the resolution out of fear, suggesting that the party is acting above constitutional limits.
Expanding on his critique, Siddiqui pointed to the alleged rigging in the 2024 general elections, which he claims resulted in an artificial majority for the PPP in Sindh. He argued that this majority has enabled the PPP to consolidate control over the province without genuine democratic legitimacy. Moreover, Siddiqui lamented the PPP’s reluctance to devolve powers even to its own mayor in Karachi, underscoring the broader issue of governance failure in the metropolis. He warned that the current political climate represents a critical juncture for Karachi and Sindh, urging stakeholders to make decisive choices to ensure peace and stability.
Further emphasizing the need for dialogue, Siddiqui stressed that peaceful negotiations remain the only viable solution to the ongoing disputes. He highlighted Sindh’s diverse linguistic and cultural fabric, noting that urban areas, particularly Karachi, have faced systemic injustices for over two decades. Meanwhile, Mustafa Kamal, former mayor of Karachi and senior MQM-P leader, reiterated on a national news program that the Constitution grants the federation authority to assume control over cities if necessary. Kamal reiterated MQM-P’s longstanding demand for Karachi to be declared a federal territory, citing the PPP’s failure to effectively govern the city.
Kamal also pointed out that the Constitution provides ample scope for creating new provinces, framing MQM-P’s demand within the legal framework. He recalled the party’s support for the 18th Constitutional Amendment, which aimed to transfer powers from provincial governments to municipal representatives, a move the PPP has resisted. Kamal, the ruling party’s unwillingness to devolve authority to district levels exacerbates governance challenges in Karachi and other urban centers.
On the other side, the Sindh Assembly’s resolution, spearheaded by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, was passed with backing from members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami, while MQM-P members stood in opposition. In a detailed address to the assembly, Murad Ali Shah condemned what he described as divisive rhetoric aimed at breaking up Sindh or separating Karachi. He underscored the province’s rich historical and cultural heritage, tracing its roots back to the ancient civilization of Mohenjo-Daro and the historic Sindh Legislative Assembly that passed the Pakistan Resolution in 1943.
The chief minister asserted that Sindh’s unity and territorial integrity are non-negotiable and constitutionally safeguarded. He emphasized that Karachi, historically known as Kolachi, has always been an integral part of Sindh both geographically and emotionally. Murad Ali Shah warned that any attempt to divide the province or detach Karachi would contradict historical facts, constitutional principles, and democratic norms, ultimately undermining national cohesion.
Highlighting constitutional safeguards, the chief minister referenced Article 239 of the 1973 Constitution, which mandates that any alteration to provincial boundaries requires the approval of at least two-thirds of the concerned provincial assembly. He stressed that such decisions rest solely with the Sindh Assembly and cannot be imposed unilaterally. Murad Ali Shah also recalled a similar resolution passed in 1994, underscoring that Sindh has consistently resisted efforts to fragment its territory through constitutional and political means.
He further pointed out that when Karachi was declared the capital in 1948, Pakistan did not yet have a formal constitution, implying that current constitutional clarity leaves no room for ambiguity or unilateral actions. The resolution passed by the Sindh Assembly condemned any conspiracy aimed at dividing the province or creating a separate Karachi province. It reaffirmed Karachi’s permanent status as an integral part of Sindh and called on all political actors to avoid divisive language that could destabilize the region.
Without directly naming any political party, Murad Ali Shah clarified that the resolution was not targeted at individuals but was a collective stance to protect Sindh’s unity. He urged assembly members to voice any objections through democratic debate, warning that opposing the resolution would equate to supporting the division of Sindh. The chief minister also highlighted Sindh’s historical struggles, including its separation from the Bombay Presidency in 1936 and resistance against the One Unit scheme, portraying these as examples of the province’s enduring commitment to safeguarding its territorial integrity.
As tensions continue to rise over the future of Karachi’s administrative status, the debate underscores deeper political and ethnic complexities within Sindh. Both MQM-P and PPP remain entrenched in their positions, with constitutional arguments and historical narratives shaping their respective claims. The coming weeks are likely to see intensified discussions as stakeholders seek to navigate this sensitive issue, which holds significant implications for governance, identity, and regional stability in Pakistan’s most populous province.
