The Sindh Assembly has passed a resolution rejecting any move to divide Sindh or alter its existing territorial boundaries, as Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah issued a strong warning against attempts to create new provinces.
The resolution was presented by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Nisar Ahmed Khuhro and was approved by the house amid an ongoing political debate over the creation of new provinces and administrative units in Pakistan.
Addressing the assembly, Murad Ali Shah said there could be no compromise on the geographical unity of Sindh. He warned the National Assembly against taking up any proposal aimed at dividing the province, stressing that the Sindh Assembly must be involved in any decision concerning the province’s territorial status.
The chief minister said administrative reforms could be introduced to improve governance, including the creation of new districts and administrative units. However, he cautioned that giving such units separate assemblies, chief executives and provincial powers could eventually lead to the creation of new provinces.
Murad also rejected the argument that population growth alone should determine the formation of new provinces, saying administrative needs and ground realities must also be considered.
The resolution comes amid renewed calls from some political parties for greater administrative decentralisation and the creation of additional provinces. Opposition lawmakers, including members associated with MQM-P and Jamaat-e-Islami, objected to the resolution and staged a walkout, arguing that their proposals had not been properly considered.
The Sindh government maintained that strengthening local governments and transferring administrative and financial powers to the grassroots level would be a better way to address governance challenges without dividing the province.
The resolution has further intensified the political debate over provincial boundaries and administrative restructuring in Pakistan.