The Sindh Assembly passed a resolution on Thursday opposing the creation of new provinces and administrative units within the province. The resolution, presented by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, secured majority support in the provincial legislature.
Following the resolution’s approval, the session was adjourned until 2:30pm on Friday. Earlier in the day, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah addressed the assembly, cautioning against any attempts to divide Sindh, a move he described as unacceptable. His remarks came amid a heated debate triggered by an adjournment motion moved by Khuhro, which the PPP leadership designated for detailed discussion, allowing lawmakers from both government and opposition benches to express their views on the sensitive issue.
Murad Ali Shah emphasized that matters concerning Sindh should be deliberated and resolved within the provincial assembly rather than on television or public forums. He criticized Opposition Leader Ali Khursheedi for inconsistent stances, noting that while the opposition publicly opposed dividing Sindh, proposals about administrative units might change the province’s existing geographical and political framework.
The Chief Minister clarified the distinction between administrative units and new provinces, stating there was no objection to establishing additional administrative units for governance. However, he warned that granting such units separate assemblies, chief executives, and extensive provincial powers could effectively create new provinces. He highlighted that the creation of divisions and districts for administrative purposes already falls under the provincial government’s authority, pointing out that Sindh had expanded from three to seven divisions, and Karachi’s districts had similarly increased from three to seven.
Shah also underscored that strengthening local governments and devolving administrative powers are distinct from dividing the province. He noted that recent discussions on new provinces and administrative units gained momentum following a seminar in Lahore and criticized political leaders for debating the issue publicly rather than within relevant assemblies. He referred to statements by MQM leaders Mustafa Kamal, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, and Farooq Sattar supporting empowerment of existing divisions as administrative units.
The Chief Minister questioned whether proposals could remain purely administrative if each unit was granted separate political and executive structures, arguing that such arrangements would lay the foundation for a new provincial system regardless of the terminology used. He stressed that population growth alone should not justify new provinces; instead, administrative needs and ground realities must guide such decisions.
Recalling Sindh’s historical significance, Shah mentioned the Sindh Muslim League’s 1938 resolution supporting a separate homeland for Muslims and the Sindh Assembly’s 1943 resolution favoring Pakistan. He highlighted the historic June 26, 1947 resolution, where Sindh became the first province to decide to join Pakistan, with 33 members in favor and 20 against.
Shah noted that Sindh has consistently defended its territorial unity, citing previous assembly resolutions opposing division in 2006, 2012, 2014, and 2019. He warned the National Assembly that any attempts to alter Sindh’s boundaries without the provincial assembly’s consent would be unacceptable. He insisted that decisions about Sindh’s future must be made by its elected representatives and vowed that the Sindh Assembly would uphold its constitutional right over the province’s geographical integrity.
In a significant development, the PPP decided to conclude the adjournment-motion debate by passing a resolution formally opposing the division of Sindh in any form. Shah invited opposition members to join the government in adopting a joint resolution. However, the opposition suggested the resolution should also address the creation and empowerment of administrative units. Shah countered that this issue should be handled separately to avoid conflating it with the primary subject of the adjournment motion.
Opposition Leader Ali Khursheedi reaffirmed his party’s stance against dividing Sindh and called for a unified voice in the assembly on the matter. He questioned the need for another resolution given previous ones opposing the province’s division. Khursheedi urged the government to incorporate opposition proposals into a comprehensive resolution, emphasizing that the core issue was effective devolution of administrative and financial powers rather than creating new provinces.
He proposed empowering Sindh’s six existing divisions as administrative units with decision-making authority and resource allocation closer to the people. Citing the spirit of the 18th Amendment, Khursheedi stressed the importance of devolving powers from federal and provincial levels to local administrations. He argued that local development decisions should not require provincial cabinet approval and that greater financial and administrative autonomy could address challenges from Karachi to rural areas like Obaro.
Khursheedi denied accusations that his party supported dividing Sindh, highlighting that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement had consistently voted against such proposals. The debate revealed tensions between government and opposition members when MQM lawmakers staged a walkout after failing to agree on the resolution, despite the speaker’s request for them to remain. Shah criticized the walkout, urging those opposing Sindh’s division to demonstrate their position through both words and actions.
The Chief Minister also rejected attempts to separate Karachi from Sindh, affirming that Karachi is the provincial capital and an inseparable part of Sindh. He cautioned political leaders against language that might create distinctions between Karachi and other parts of the province. Shah stressed that Sindh’s unity transcends individual political interests and personal positions, declaring, “We may or may not be here, but Sindh must remain intact.” He emphasized the importance of preserving the province as a united entity for future generations.
Ultimately, Murad Ali Shah called for the resolution on Sindh’s unity to be formally presented to the assembly, underscoring the issue’s seriousness and the need for the assembly to officially record its stance rather than simply ending the debate and leaving the matter to the government.
