Protests rocked Karachi on February 14, with citizens rallying for ‘Let Karachi Live’ to protest the city’s dire infrastructure and governance failures. Police dispersed the crowds using tear gas, intensifying political tensions over the economic hub’s status within Sindh.
Saturday saw Sindh Assembly take a firm stand, approving a resolution that categorically opposes separating Karachi from Sindh. Presented by PPP Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, the motion labels any plot to divide Sindh or create a new province with Karachi as ‘rejected outright.’
‘Karachi remains an inseparable component of Sindh eternally,’ the document states, urging political groups to avoid actions undermining communal harmony and unity. It reaffirms commitments to preserving Sindh’s oneness, regional wholeness, and cultural heritage—legacies from forebears to be defended constitutionally and democratically.
The move counters MQM-P’s persistent demands for turning Karachi into a federal territory under central control. Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal recently accused the Sindh government of deliberate neglect toward Karachi residents.
During debates, Shah robustly refuted opposition accusations of unconstitutionality, daring them to cite specific breaches. He recalled MQM-P’s backing of an identical anti-division resolution in 2019, pointing to their inconsistent positions. Nationally aligned with PPP, MQM-P’s provincial defiance underscores deepening rifts.
United across party affiliations, the assembly pledges to protect Sindh’s sovereignty and traditions. This resolution not only addresses immediate unrest but also sets a precedent for resolving urban-provincial disputes through legislative resolve rather than street agitations.