Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif speaking at the opening ceremony of Indus AI Week in Islamabad. PHOTO: RADIO PAKISTAN
LAHORE:
Amid a contentious debate over the creation of a separate “Karachi province”, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday sought to allay Sindh’s fears by welcoming Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to Islamabad.
The debate over the division of Sindh is intensifying as the PML-N’s allies at the Center, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), clashed after the former accused the Sindh government of “chronic poor governance” in Karachi and demanded federal control of the city, drawing a strong response from the PPP which blamed the party for past violence in the metropolis.
During Wednesday’s meeting, issues related to the political situation in Sindh and other matters of mutual interest were also discussed.
The Prime Minister called for harmony and consultation among allied parties, stressing that this was essential for national stability and policy continuity.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured full federal cooperation for timely completion of development projects in Sindh.
The Chief Minister briefed the Prime Minister in detail about the progress of ongoing development initiatives in the province, according to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari, who also co-chairs the PPP, has asked his party’s provincial leaders to maintain cordial ties with the MQM and Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori. This was stated by a well-placed leader, considered close to Zardari, while refuting rumors that the PPP was seeking to oust Tessori.
Party sources in Sindh, however, denied engaging in such covert efforts to remove the Sindh governor, clarifying that Sindh was happy to work with a governor who recognizes his constitutional mandate.
A source said that the Sindh government has, however, opposed and will continue to oppose the misuse of the governor’s office against the Sindh government. The desire for change arises from the governor’s repeated transgressions. The governor himself has wanted to be out of office since 2024, and his actions reflect that desire, he added.
A source in a Sindh ministry said the President had indicated that they were even ready to work with the MQM and PML-N on the 28th Amendment, but only up to a certain extent.
He made it clear that the PPP would oppose any proposal to divide Sindh and would not join any dialogue on dividing Sindh into administrative units.
Speaking to The Express PK Press Club, a well-placed PPP leader and senior civil servant, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the focus had shifted inward.
Zardari asked the party leadership to put its own house in order in Sindh. He said the President had made it clear to the PPP and the Sindh government that they need to get their act together and start meeting expectations. He added that reports of the President censoring his Sindh leaders were not a journalistic scoop; it was voluntarily leaked to the media.
He said the party had been asked to maintain cordial ties with all its allies in the coalition government and maintain a good working relationship with the governor, provided the other party reciprocated.
He asserted that there was no demand for a change of governor, contrary to widespread rumors and media reports. He said the recent face-off with the MQM would ultimately prove to be a storm in a teacup. He added that the President had asked Sindh leaders to bring down the political temperature in the province.
The leader further said that the message to Sindh was loud and clear. The president criticized them for their poor performance. He said the President was not satisfied with the standards of service delivery maintained in Sindh compared to Punjab and Islamabad.
However, no head will roll in Sindh. Everyone will continue to work in the same position and pay the same salary, he said. The party spokesperson and Sindh Information Minister were contacted for comments, but did not respond.
(With additional contribution from Islamabad)
