The Sindh Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution rejecting any proposal, plan, or constitutional arrangement seeking to “divide” the province, alter its territorial boundaries, or create new administrative units.
Moved by ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MPA Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, the resolution followed days of debate on an adjournment motion moved by him. The resolution cited Article 239(4) of the Constitution, asserting that no constitutional amendment altering the limits of a province could be placed before the president without prior approval by the provincial assembly through a two thirds majority.
It said the Sindh Assembly does not and shall not consent to any such territorial alterations.
Referring to Sindh’s civilizational identity and its historic role as the first provincial legislature to pass a resolution in support of Pakistan in 1943, it declared in “unambiguous” terms that Sindh is one and shall remain one. The House also rejected any potential scheme to detach any district, division, or region from the province, or to place any part of Sindh under federal or separate administrative control, stating that all existing regions form an “integral and inseparable” part of the province.
“The resolution calls upon the federal government, Parliament, and all political parties to respect the democratic will of the people of Sindh and refrain from entertaining any proposals that threaten provincial integrity,” it said, directing the provincial government to send an official copy of it to the president, prime minister, Senate chairman, and National Assembly speaker.
During the debate, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah maintained Sindh had joined Pakistan as a single, united province and its territorial integrity cannot be altered against the will of its people or their elected representatives. He noted the debate was initiated by the PPP in response to recent statements by certain political leaders calling for new provinces or separate administrative units.
He also lashed out at the opposition Muttahida Qaumi Movement, noting they had previously opposed the division of Sindh but now were calling for separate assemblies, chief executives and governance structures for various divisions of the province.
By contrast, Leader of the Opposition Ali Khurshidi accused the PPP of using sensitive topics to mask administrative failures. Questioning the necessity of the resolution, he recalled the House had previously also passed similar resolutions against the division of Sindh. He alleged the PPP was hiding behind the resolution to avoid criticism of its governance failures.
Khurshidi also made clear the MQM wanted decentralization, not division, adding the process should have taken place after the 18th Amendment.