Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that even the National Assembly does not have the constitutional authority to decide the division of Sindh.
Speaking in the Sindh Assembly, Shah warned lawmakers against discussing the creation of new provinces in Sindh.
He said the matter must be decided in the Sindh Assembly.
“We repeatedly warn the National Assembly not to even discuss the division of Sindh,” Shah said.
Chief Minister Criticizes Opposition
Murad Ali Shah also criticized opposition lawmakers over their position on new administrative units.
He referred to statements by Mustafa Kamal, who has supported the creation of administrative units.
Shah accused the opposition of taking what he described as contradictory positions.
He said some lawmakers oppose the division of Sindh in the Sindh Assembly while supporting administrative units elsewhere.
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The chief minister questioned the opposition’s political position and said the assembly debate would show who genuinely opposes the division of Sindh.
Debate Over Administrative Units
Shah said the current political debate did not begin with PPP leader Nisar Khuhro.
He said the issue gained attention after a federal minister called for the creation of new provinces and administrative units in Lahore.
The remarks were followed by political rallies and television discussions on the issue.
According to Shah, the Sindh Assembly is the appropriate forum for deciding the province’s position.
He said the debate would also reveal which political parties maintain a consistent position on Sindh’s territorial unity.
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Reference to Pakistan’s Creation
The Sindh chief minister also referred to the history of the creation of Pakistan.
He said the British government sent a plan for the partition of India to the provincial assemblies in 1947.
Sindh was also asked to consider the proposal.
Shah said the Sindh Assembly held a special session on June 26 and passed a resolution supporting separation from British India.
He said Sindh played a leading role in the creation of Pakistan.
Shah Criticizes MQM Position
Murad Ali Shah also criticized the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) over its position on the issue.
He referred to MQM lawmakers who said they did not support dividing Sindh before leaving the assembly.
Shah questioned the party’s position and referred to Mustafa Kamal’s demand for administrative units.
He argued that creating administrative units could eventually lead to a different political structure within Sindh.
The chief minister described the opposition’s position as contradictory.
One Unit Controversy
Shah also referred to the One Unit system introduced in Pakistan in the 1950s.
He said the One Unit system was wrong at the time and remains wrong today.
He argued that the assembly that supported the One Unit scheme did not fully represent the people of Sindh.
Shah said opposition lawmakers changed their positions when members of the treasury benches began speaking on the issue.
He also criticized opposition lawmakers for leaving the assembly instead of continuing the debate.
Nisar Khuhro Moves Adjournment Motion
Following the exchange, PPP leader Nisar Khuhro moved an adjournment motion to continue the discussion.
Shah said the debate should provide a clear picture of where political parties stand on the question of Sindh’s territorial integrity.
He added that the assembly proceedings would show which lawmakers genuinely oppose dividing the province.
The debate comes amid renewed political discussion in Pakistan over the creation of new provinces and administrative units.
