Murad Shah rejects calls to divide Sindh, says province will stay united

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has firmly rejected any attempt to divide the province. He said Sindh would remain a single and united province.

Speaking on the floor of the Sindh Assembly, Murad Shah said decisions about Sindh would only be made by its elected representatives. He rejected the idea that such matters could be decided outside the provincial legislature.

“Businessmen sitting in Lahore will not decide the future of Sindh,” the chief minister said.

Murad Shah said the issue had already been debated by the Sindh Assembly on several occasions. He argued that lawmakers should be given an opportunity to express their views.

He also criticised those who questioned why speeches were being allowed during the proceedings. He said the assembly had the authority to complete the motion and then take up other important matters for discussion.

The chief minister said every member should be allowed to present their position. He urged lawmakers to hold a detailed and meaningful debate before reaching any conclusion.

“No one can make this decision by sitting on television,” Murad Shah said. “The decision will be made in this house.”

He stressed that the members of the Sindh Assembly were elected representatives of the people. He said the assembly therefore had the right to decide matters concerning the province.

Murad Shah also referred to the historical importance of the Sindh Assembly. He recalled that the assembly had passed the resolution supporting the creation of Pakistan.

The chief minister said the unity of Sindh could not be decided through political gatherings or discussions outside the legislature.

“As long as even one person is alive, nothing will happen to this province,” he said.

He added that no decision would be made at a public rally, in a court or at a seminar. The matter, he said, belonged before the elected house.

Murad Shah also referred to Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s statement that the wishes of the people would ultimately prevail.

He said the people’s representatives were sitting in the Sindh Assembly. Their views, therefore, should form the basis of any decision concerning the province.

The chief minister asked Speaker Owais Qadir Shah to allow lawmakers to debate the issue openly and at length.

“Let everyone say what they want and have a meaningful discussion,” Murad Shah said.

Speaker Owais Qadir Shah also backed the debate. He said lawmakers could discuss the matter for as many days as they considered necessary.

“Sindh was one and will remain one,” the speaker said.