Sindh Assembly passes resolution opposing creation of new provinces 

Karachi (Web Desk): The Sindh Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution opposing the establishment of any new province or separate administrative unit in Sindh, reaffirming its commitment to keeping the province intact.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Nisar Ahmed Khuhro tabled the resolution, stressing that the territorial unity of Sindh must be protected.

The matter sparked a heated debate on the assembly floor, where Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah firmly rejected any proposal aimed at dividing the province.

The Sindh CM said matters concerning Sindh’s boundaries and administrative setup should be debated inside the provincial assembly, which he described as the proper constitutional forum for such discussions.

He expressed concern over political debates on the issue taking place outside the legislature.

The chief minister drew a distinction between administrative restructuring and the creation of new provinces. He said the government had the authority to increase the number of districts and zones under the existing constitutional framework.

However, forming new provinces would require separate legislative and governmental arrangements and would therefore bring a fundamental change to Sindh’s political structure.

He pointed to measures already taken by the provincial government as evidence of administrative expansion. According to Shah, the number of divisions had been increased from three to seven, while Karachi’s districts had also risen from three to seven.

Murad Ali Shah said the latest debate over new provinces picked up momentum following a seminar in Lahore.

He questioned why political leaders were discussing such a sensitive matter at public forums instead of bringing their proposals to the Sindh Assembly for debate.

The Sindh chief minister also mentioned comments from MQM leaders Mustafa Kamal, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Farooq Sattar regarding the strengthening of existing administrative units.

Shah cautioned that if such units were given independent political and executive authority, the arrangement could ultimately evolve into the creation of formally recognised provinces.

He rejected the argument that an increase in population alone should be treated as sufficient justification for dividing Sindh. Shah said any decision concerning the province’s administrative structure should take into account practical conditions, local requirements and realities on the ground.

Referring to Sindh’s historical contribution to the establishment of Pakistan, Shah said the province had consistently resisted efforts to divide it. He also recalled previous resolutions passed by the assembly reflecting Sindh’s opposition to any such move.

Speaking on the issue, Opposition Leader Ali Khursheedi supported the position against dividing Sindh, saying the MQM also opposed the creation of new provinces in the province.

Khursheedi called for lawmakers across the political divide to maintain a unified position and said efforts should instead be directed towards transferring greater powers to existing administrative divisions. 

He argued that empowering Sindh’s six existing divisions could make local governance more effective and improve the distribution of resources.

The debate, however, exposed differences between the treasury and opposition benches, with MQM lawmakers walking out of the chamber after disagreements over the resolution.

The Sindh CM criticised the walkout and said opposition lawmakers should demonstrate their position through their conduct and participation in the assembly rather than limiting their opposition to verbal statements.

The proceedings of the house ended with the assembly approving the resolution, reaffirming its opposition to any proposal aimed at dividing Sindh.

The house was subsequently adjourned until Friday afternoon, when further proceedings are expected to take place.

Speaking during a session of the Sindh Assembly, PPP leader and Sindh Assembly member Faryal Talpur has strongly opposed any attempt to split Sindh, declaring that neither she nor her party would accept the province being divided under any circumstances. She said they were prepared to defend Sindh’s unity regardless of the sacrifice required.

In an emotional address, she said her allegiance to Sindh was unwavering. “We stand with Sindh and will continue to stand with it,” she said, making it clear that the issue of the province’s unity was non-negotiable for her.

Talpur said she would be willing to give up her position, surrender her membership of the assembly or even lay down her life rather than accept the division of Sindh.

She maintained that neither political office nor personal safety would come before the province’s integrity.

She said Sindh was home to its entire population, including native Sindhis as well as people from other communities who had made the province their permanent home.

Talpur said that the people of Sindh had already reached a collective decision that the province’s unity could not be compromised.

Referring to the PPP’s political slogan, she said that after “Pakistan Khappay”, the party’s message was now “Sindh Khappay”, highlighting the importance of preserving both the country and Sindh.

Talpur also ruled out the possibility of her family leaving Pakistan. She said their relationship with Sindh was not merely political but deeply connected to their family history.

She pointed out that the graves of her ancestors were located in Sindh and said she wanted to be laid to rest there after her death as well.

While recalling the sacrifices made by members of her political family, Talpur referred to former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

She said she did not want to find herself in a position where she would have to answer for failing to protect the unity of Sindh.

Talpur also drew attention to the historical contribution of the Talpur family in defending the province.

Mentioning Mir Sher Muhammad Talpur of Mirpur, whom she described as the “Lion of Sindh”, Talpur said he had stood up for Sindh, fought for it and never surrendered.

Talpur said her generation had a similar responsibility to preserve Sindh’s territorial integrity and ensure that the province remained united for those who would come after them.

The PPP leader also spoke in support of Sindh’s local government structure, describing it as a strong and functional system while accepting that there was still scope for improvements.

Comparing Sindh with Punjab, she said that, in her opinion, Punjab did not have an equivalent local government arrangement.

Recalling her own political role during the tenure of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, Talpur said she had served as a nazim during that period. She claimed that the local government system had facilitated development activities in several areas, including Benazirabad and Larkana.