OSAMA Mustafa in his rejoinder “Decision to shift the capital” (Jan 29) has highlighted Sindh's prominence for graciously providing space to the centre to establish its headquarters temporarily in Karachi; it's a prime city as well as capital of the province. This act of generosity displayed by the Sindh Government was appreciated by the Quaid-e-Azam himself as reproduced in the said letter.

However soon after, the treatment meted out to Sindh at the hands of the centre is also a sad chapter of history which needs to be brought on record for the awareness of readers. The centre after establishing its offices in buildings left by the provincial government instead of appreciating the good gesture started interfering in the province's affairs.

Even trivial matters such as delay in providing water for the lawns of the Prime Minister House were taken as a serious offence by the Centre. Finally, in January 1948, the Cabinet under the chair of the Governor General, who met with the prime minister, while expressing his views said

“The Central Government is sitting here like strangers. We have no powers; everything is sanctioned by the Provincial Government, especially Mr Khuhro who controls the city. We are nothing in Karachi. If I need a gardener I have to refer to Mr Khuhro; if I want water for my garden I have to refer to Mr Khuhro. He is everything; we are nothing.”

Then addressing the chief minister, he said, “Go make your capital in Hyderabad or somewhere else.”

Thereafter, despite beseeching and persuasion of the entire Cabinet, hullabaloo being raised in the media and a unanimous resolution ultimately being passed by the Provincial Assembly against the Centre's decision, the Sindh Government was shown the door from its own city. A compensation of Rs600 million for infrastructure taken over by the centre was worked out. Later, this amount was reduced to Rs300 million but at the end of the day no payment was ever released (excerpts P/333/4 Muhammad Ayoob Khuhro A Life of Courage in Politics by Hamida Khuhro).

Although there were numerous instances where central and provincial capitals existed side by side, showing disregard to the wishes of its people, Sindh was unjustifiably forced to shift its capital to Hyderabad and Karachi was made the central capital. The city of Hyderabad much smaller than Karachi with no adequate infrastructure remained as the capital of Sindh till One Unit, a political contrivance which harmed the federation even more, was established in 1955, merging all four western provinces in 'West Pakistan' with its capital as Lahore.

After dissolution of the much abhorred and most divisive 'One Unit' in 1970, all provinces were restored to their original positions, including the metropolis of Karachi to Sindh which was once again made its capital.

MANZOOR H. KURESHI
Karachi