Murad rejects new province claims, rules out violence

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has dismissed claims that Pakistan's governance system has collapsed, while

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has dismissed claims that Pakistan’s governance system has collapsed, while firmly opposing the creation of new provinces in Sindh and warning that no violence or bloodshed will be allowed over the issue.

Speaking to reporters after attending the Mining Technical Conference 2026 in Karachi, the chief minister said the Constitution provides a clear legal mechanism for altering provincial boundaries. He stressed that any such move can only take place if the concerned provincial assembly approves it with a two-thirds majority.

Murad Ali Shah said the Sindh Assembly has repeatedly passed unanimous resolutions opposing the creation of any new province in the province. He maintained that there has been no change in the assembly’s position and that the issue should be addressed only through constitutional and democratic procedures.

The chief minister said public debate on administrative reforms is acceptable, but warned against creating unnecessary tensions or presenting the issue in a way that could provoke conflict. He said no one would be allowed to exploit the matter to create unrest in Sindh.

His remarks came after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi recently suggested that Pakistan’s existing governance system was no longer capable of addressing national challenges and called for administrative reforms, including the creation of new administrative units.

Responding to questions about public demonstrations, Murad Ali Shah said peaceful protest is a constitutional right but should be held in accordance with the law. He urged organisers to obtain permission from the relevant authorities before staging protests.

The chief minister also highlighted the provincial government’s agricultural policy, saying arrangements have been made to procure one million tonnes of wheat to protect local farmers and stabilise the market.

Speaking about economic development, he said Sindh continues to expand its mining and energy sectors. He announced that electricity generation from Thar coal is expected to increase from 2,640 megawatts to 3,000 megawatts in the near future.

Murad Ali Shah said Thar’s coal fields are producing more than 15 million tonnes of coal annually, helping Pakistan reduce its dependence on imported fuel and saving more than $1.5 billion in foreign exchange each year.