HYDERABAD: Leaders of the Sindh Action Committee (SAC) on Wed-nesday strongly criticised Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and the Muttahida Qaumi Move-ment (MQM) leadership for advocating the creation of new administrative units, asserting that the Constitution protects the territorial integrity of the federation and its constituent units.
Addressing a press conference at the local press club, SAC component party leaders Roshan Buriro, Asif Baladi, Masroor Shah and Dr Badar Channa announced that the SAC would host a Wahdat-i-Sindh (Unity of Sindh) conference at Wadhu Wah on Aug 22 to oppose what they termed a “conspiracy” to divide the province.
The nationalist leaders maintained that under the constitutional framework, neither the federation nor the provinces could undo one another. They clarified that while Article 239 permits altering provincial boundaries, it strictly requires two-thirds approval from the respective provincial assembly. They cautioned that any attempt by the federal government to control Karachi or Gwadar would be tantamount to dismembering Sindh, describing Karachi as the province’s heart.
The leaders lambasted Interior Minister Naqvi for floating the idea of new administrative units following a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari, calling the proposal a dangerous move that deepens national instability. They also urged the MQM leaders to refrain from inciting ethnic discord, reminding them that Sindhis regard the Urdu-speaking population as permanent residents of the province and warning against repeating past bloody confrontations.
Turning their focus to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the SAC leaders described its 18-year rule in Sindh as an utter failure marked by corruption, merit violations, and administrative collapse. However, they emphasised that exposing the PPP’s poor governance should not be used as a pretext to demand the division of Sindh.
They further criticised the federal government over water distribution and financial resources. While the Council of Common Interests (CCI) had shelved controversial corporate farming and canal projects, the leaders noted that disputed canals — such as the Jalalpur Canal built to irrigate barren land at the expense of Sindh’s cultivable areas — had not been officially cancelled. They also alleged that the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award was being undermined to divert funds from the provinces towards federal water and security sector projects.
Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2026
