KARACHI: Categorically ruling out the division of Sindh, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has warned that any attempt to alter provincial boundaries without the consent of the province concerned would be unconstitutional and unacceptable.
“God forbid if the National Assembly passes any such resolution on the division of Sindh, we have already rejected it beforehand,” he said, while talking to reporters after laying a wreath at Mazar-i-Quaid, along with Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi, on the death anniversary of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah on Friday.
He said that provincial boundaries could only be altered through a constitutional amendment passed by parliament and ratified by the provincial assembly concerned with a two-thirds majority.
The CM categorically stated that the division of the province could not be imposed without the consent of the people of the province. “The people of Sindh have already expressed their will through their elected representatives,” he said, referring to resolutions passed by the Sindh Assembly.
Murad rules out division of Sindh; visits Quaid’s mausoleum along with Governor Hashmi, to commemorate death anniversary of Father of the Nation
Mr Shah said that the federation had made no move to take over provincial resources or revisit the 7th National Finance Commission Award. “A meeting was held under the chairmanship of the prime minister before the budget in which the chief ministers of all four provinces signed an MoU with the federation,” he added.
The chief minister said that it was clearly written in the MoU that the 7th NFC Award would continue. “The federation has not spoken about taking over the resources of the provinces,” he added.
Responding to questions on recent debate about changing provincial boundaries, CM Shah cited Article 239 of the Constitution, inserted during Gen Ziaul Haq’s era. “Zia inserted a strange clause. The National Assembly can pass it, but the president cannot sign it until the provincial assembly passes it with a two-thirds majority,” he said.
“In my opinion, this clause is completely wrong and should be deleted,” he said, adding that everyone was now claiming to be a constitutional expert. “Nowadays you don’t even need a law degree,” he remarked.
The chief minister said that the governors were appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister, and the moment they assumed office, they became representatives of the province. He said that in a democracy everyone had the right to express their opinion, but decisions on provincial matters had to follow the Constitution. Mr Shah also took exception to comments made at recent business forums suggesting that “Pakistan’s system has collapsed”. “When it was said that the country’s system has ended, and big industrialists sitting there collapsed, I was surprised,” he said.follow the Constitution. Mr Shah also took exception to comments made at recent business forums suggesting that “Pakistan’s system has collapsed”. “When it was said that the country’s system has ended, and big industrialists sitting there collapsed, I was surprised,” he said.
The chief minister acknowledged that the country faced serious challenges, including poverty, lack of schools and other governance issues. “Our job is to improve the province, improve our cities and solve these problems,” he said.
Responding to questions regarding the Mir Raza murder case, Mr Shah rejected the impression that there was any interference in the investigation and said his government was fully committed to ensuring justice for the victim’s family.
“We are committed to providing justice to Mir Raza’s family. That is why the government has constituted a judicial commission to independently examine the matter,” he said.
Speaking to the media, the Sindh governor said that the Quaid-i-Azam dedicated his life to the creation of Pakistan, setting aside personal comfort, peace and interests. He provided the nation with the guiding principles of unity, faith, discipline and adherence to principles, he said.
Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2026
