The Sindh Assembly on Saturday passed a strong resolution declaring Karachi an “integral and inseparable part” of Sindh and rejecting any proposal to create a separate Karachi province.
The resolution was tabled by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and approved by a majority vote. It stated that the House “unequivocally condemns and rejects any conspiracy aimed at the division of Sindh or the creation of a separate province comprising Karachi.”
Why Was the Resolution Moved?
The move came after repeated statements by Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), which has called for greater federal control in Karachi and demanded that the city be declared a “federal territory.”
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In response, the Sindh government reaffirmed that Karachi will remain part of Sindh under the Constitution of Pakistan.
Voting and Political Response
The resolution received support from members across party lines, including lawmakers from Jamaat-e-Islami and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. However, MQM-P lawmakers also didn’t voted against it, but argued that the resolution contradicts the Constitution.
During the debate, MQM-P leaders said the move was politically motivated. In response, CM Murad rejected claims of unconstitutionality and challenged critics to identify any clause that violated the law.
He also reminded the House that a similar unanimous resolution against the division of Sindh was passed in 2019, which MQM-P had supported at that time.
Constitutional Background
The resolution referred to Article 239 of the 1973 Constitution, which states that provincial boundaries cannot be changed without the approval of at least two-thirds of the concerned provincial assembly.
CM Murad emphasized that any attempt to create a new province from Sindh would require constitutional procedure and provincial consent.
Historical Context
The resolution highlighted Sindh’s historical identity and its early support for Pakistan. It noted that Sindh was the first province to pass a resolution in favor of Pakistan before independence in 1947.
It also recalled the One Unit scheme introduced in 1955, which merged provinces into a single administrative unit. Sindh was restored as a separate province in 1970 after strong resistance.
Karachi province debate deepens as MQM-P rejects Sindh Assembly resolution
Karachi, historically known as Kolachi, has served as Pakistan’s first capital after independence but has remained geographically and administratively part of Sindh.
Political Tensions
The debate comes amid rising tensions between MQM-P and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), especially after recent criticism of governance in Karachi.
MQM-P leader Mustafa Kamal recently accused the provincial government of neglecting the city’s residents. The PPP leadership has denied these claims and called for unity.
Chief Minister’s Statement
Speaking on the assembly floor, CM Murad said:
“Karachi is an inseparable part of Sindh. Even the thought or idea of breaking Sindh will never succeed.”
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He also invoked the slogan “Pakistan Khappay,” associated with former president Asif Ali Zardari, stressing that PPP supports federalism and national unity.
What Happens Next?
For now, the resolution sends a strong political message that the Sindh Assembly stands united against any move to separate Karachi from the province.
However, the political debate over Karachi’s administrative status may continue at the national level.
