Debate allowed in Sindh Assembly to expose ‘supporters of division’

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This file photo shows a session of the Sindh Assembly. — Photo courtesy Tahir Siddiqui/File
This file photo shows a session of the Sindh Assembly. — Photo courtesy Tahir Siddiqui/File

KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party leader Nisar Khuhro on Sunday said that a debate on new provinces in the Sindh Assembly would put on record the identities and positions of those seeking to divide Sindh, allowing the people to see who supported the creation of new provinces or administrative units.

Responding to the criticism that allowing debate on his adjournment motion in the house would provide supporters of new provinces an opportunity to present their case, the PPP-Sindh president said such an opportunity would remain available even if a resolution were brought directly before the assembly.

He said PPP lawmakers from Kashmore to Karachi would use the constitutional forum to firmly reject the demands and proposals for new provinces and administrative units.

Those supporting such demands, he added, would also make their positions clear before the public through the assembly proceedings.

PPP leader Khuhro hints at bringing in another resolution in house to protect province’s unity

The PPP, he said, had already secured the passage of resolutions against the creation of new provinces in Sindh on five occasions. However, as demands for new provinces continued to resurface, the people were asking the party to bring another resolution before the house.

“Therefore, a resolution will be passed in light of the majority opinion and decision of the house after the debate,” he said.

The PPP leader questioned whether a referendum would be held if demands for new provinces or administrative units gained momentum in the future, asking whether such a decision would then be made through public rallies.

He maintained that deciding the matter through the elected assembly on the basis of a majority opinion was the constitutional course, reiterating that the PPP had opposed the creation of a new province or administrative units in Sindh from the outset.

“New provinces are not the demand of the people of Sindh,” he claimed.

Mr Khuhro also rejected the argument that supporters of new provinces were being denied an opportunity to voice their views, saying that they had been making their demands through press conferences, public meetings and other forums, both inside and outside the assembly.

He said the PPP and the people of Sindh would not allow the division of the province under any circumstances and that, following the assembly deb­ate, the house would reject the demand through a majority decision and pass a resolution accordingly.

He said he had opposed calls for new provinces at press conferences, public meetings, seminars and legislative forums since the issue first emerged and would continue to defend the unity of Sindh.

“Differences may exist, but on the issues of water and the unity of Sindh, I have always fought the province’s case from the frontline at every forum and will continue to do so,” he said, adding that issuing “certificates of treason” against those defending Sindh’s unity on constitutional forums was inappropriate.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2026

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