THATTA: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said on Wednesday that, except for Sindh, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had no objection to the creation of new provinces in other parts of the country if their people so desired.

He said this while talking to the media after attending the urs of Pir Syed Ghulam Jilani Shah Jilani in Makli on Wednesday evening.

He made it clear that the division of Sindh was “neither legally nor politically acceptable, as the people of the province had repeatedly rejected the idea through their elected representatives”.

The chief minister said the people of Sindh had repeatedly expressed their opposition to the division of the province through their elected representatives.

CM says no referendum can override Constitution as final decision rests with assemblies

“Constitutionally, the boundaries of a province cannot be altered unless its people want such a change,” he said, adding that the Punjab Assembly had already passed several resolutions seeking the creation of new provinces.

“If Punjab wants to create new provinces, we have no objection,” he said.

Mr Shah said the Constitution also provided a mechanism for holding a referendum, but maintained that a referendum could only be held on an issue where there was ambiguity. “Even after a referendum, the final decision would rest with the assemblies, as no referendum could override the Constitution,” he said.

He categorically stated that the division of Sindh was not possible, either legally or in terms of public opinion.

Speaking about the water-sharing issue, the chief minister said Sindh’s case for distribution of water in accordance with the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord was already before the Council of Common Interests.

He rejected the notion that the downstream province was responsible for water shortages, saying it was unfair to blame Sindh for the problem.

“How can Sindh be accused of stealing water when water does not reach the province in the first place,” he asked.

He said Sindh was still facing a severe water shortage and that the provincial government had taken up the matter with the federal government.

Visit to Makli

Earlier, the CM visited Jilani House, Makli, accompanied by party MNA Sadiq Memon.

He was received by Pir Ghulam Rizwani, Pir Ghulam Haqqani, Pir Ghulam Rehmani, Zain-ul-Abideen, provincial minister Muhammad Ali Malkani, Riaz Shah Shirazi and members of the provincial assembly.

The chief minister attended the urs of Pir Syed Ghulam Jilani Shah Jilani and addressed the gathering at the shrine.

He said Sindh was the land of Sufis, whose teachings had promoted peace, tolerance and brotherhood in the province.

The teachings of Sufi saints encouraged people to respect one another and live with love, harmony and mutual understanding, he said.

Mr Shah said Sindh would remain strong and secure as long as the PPP continued to stand with the people of the province. “No one can dare cast an evil eye on Sindh,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2026