During a session of the Sindh Assembly chaired by Speaker Owais Qadir Shah, lawmakers on Thursday firmly rejected proposals to divide the province. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Saeed Ghani emphasized that the assembly’s constitutional mandate is limited to Sindh and should not interfere in decisions made by other provinces such as Punjab or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Ghani clarified that while the PPP opposes the creation of a new province within Sindh, it would support any decision by the Punjab or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies to form new provinces within their own territories. He stressed that such matters must be resolved by the respective provincial assemblies rather than external interference.
Highlighting the significance of the day, Ghani described the debate as crucial for Sindh’s unity and future. He noted that calls to divide the province have emerged periodically in the past but have always been rejected by the provincial assembly. The issue gained renewed attention recently following a speech by the federal interior minister, which was followed by press conferences and rallies led by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), along with statements from political parties in other provinces.
Ghani pointed out that this discourse extended to seminars and academic forums, further elevating public awareness on the topic. He reiterated that any proposal for creating new provinces should be decided by the assembly of the province concerned, underscoring that Sindh’s assembly has no jurisdiction over decisions regarding Punjab or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Earlier in the session, Sindh Senior Minister Qasim Siraj Soomro affirmed that the provincial assembly is the rightful platform to deliberate on such significant provincial matters. He recalled that attempts to undermine Sindh’s unity and autonomy have historically been resisted, particularly during military regimes that sought to weaken provincial authority under the guise of administrative reforms.
MQM lawmaker Moeed Anwar contributed to the debate by asserting that Karachi is an integral part of Sindh and dismissed any rhetoric suggesting otherwise. He added that administrative restructuring could be considered if it aims to enhance public services and benefit citizens.
PPP lawmaker Roma Mushtaq Mattoo rejected the notion of dividing Sindh, stating that the province would not be fragmented due to the ambitions of a few individuals, who are already facing political pushback. Meanwhile, MQM lawmaker Sikandar Khatoon highlighted that approximately 70 percent of MQM legislators have expressed their views on administrative units. She referenced Article 239 of the Constitution, which outlines the procedures for altering provincial boundaries and creating or modifying provincial entities.
Khatoon also raised concerns about the lack of basic facilities for children in rural Sindh, suggesting that discussions on administrative divisions should also focus on improving public service delivery. This debate occurs amid a resurgence of political conversations nationwide about the formation of new provinces and administrative units, an issue that remains particularly sensitive in Sindh due to strong opposition to proposals for dividing the province.
