- CM Murad condemns calls for ‘breakup of Sindh’.
- Said appeals against the sentiments of the people of Sindh.
- “Be united for our motherland”: Sindh CM.
KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Saturday passed a resolution rejecting any attempt to make Karachi a separate province, declaring the metropolis an “integral part” of Sindh.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah tabled the resolution, condemning “controversial statements calling for the breakup of Sindh or separation from Karachi.”
Speaking in the House, he said any attempt to divide Sindh or detach Karachi from the province was against the history, constitutional spirit, democratic norms and sentiments of the people of Sindh.
“This House unequivocally condemns and rejects any conspiracy aimed at the division of Sindh or the creation of [a] separate province comprising Karachi,” he added.
The Sindh CM said the metropolis “is and will forever remain an integral and inseparable part of Sindh”.
“Today, [Sindh] The Assembly has made it clear: the unity of Sindh is sacred. Karachi is inseparable from Sindh – yesterday, today and forever. We are united for our motherland,” read a message from Sindh Chief Minister’s official X account.
The resolution follows calls by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) to declare Karachi a federal territory under Articles 148 and 149 of the Constitution.
Addressing a press conference in Karachi on January 22, MQM-P leader and Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal made the demand after a deadly fire at Gul Plaza left over 70 people dead and dozens more injured.
The deadly inferno broke out at the mall on January 17 and took almost two days to extinguish. At least 73 people lost their lives and around 1,200 stores were affected by the fire.
MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar later urged Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to sack Sindh CM, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab and Chief Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon over the Gul Plaza tragedy.
He demanded that Karachi be handed over to the Center if the provincial government was unable to fulfill its responsibilities.
