PPP leadership discusses Sindh’s territorial integrity during five-hour meeting in London
LONDON: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and President Asif Ali Zardari have reaffirmed the party’s opposition to any division of Sindh following a five-hour meeting in London, party sources said.
The meeting was held at Zardari’s residence and was also attended by Bilawal’s sister Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari, according to the sources.
The PPP leadership discussed the political situation in Pakistan and the ongoing debate over the creation of new provinces and administrative units.
Sources said the issue of Sindh’s territorial integrity was a key point of discussion, with the leadership deciding to maintain the party’s position against dividing the province.
The speech recently delivered by PPP leader Faryal Talpur was also discussed during the meeting, sources added.
Sindh Assembly rejects division proposal
The meeting came two days after the Sindh Assembly passed a resolution rejecting proposals to divide the province, alter its territorial boundaries or establish new administrative units.
The resolution stated that the provincial assembly would not consent to any territorial alteration involving Sindh.
The resolution was passed amid renewed calls for restructuring Pakistan’s administrative system and creating additional provinces.
Bilawal calls for consensus
Bilawal has previously said that the PPP’s position on new provinces is clear and that any decision on the matter should be taken through political consensus.
On the question of Sindh, he has maintained that the issue should be discussed in the provincial assembly.
The PPP chairman has also said that his party would support decisions concerning new provinces if they were taken through consensus and reflected the will of the people.
Debate over new provinces intensifies
The latest developments come amid a growing debate over Pakistan’s administrative structure.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reignited the debate in July by calling for new administrative units, saying they could be called provinces or something else. He also called for greater devolution of powers to lower levels of government.
Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal later proposed a national debate on administrative reforms and suggested that Pakistan could have 12 to 15 provinces.
Iqbal said the creation of new provinces would require political consensus and called for a committee to examine possible administrative reforms.
The proposals have faced resistance from the PPP, particularly over any move to divide Sindh.
Khawaja Asif criticises PPP position
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif recently accused the PPP of maintaining a “double standard” on the issue of new provinces.
He said the party had shown support for a Saraiki province in Punjab but raised the issue of Sindhudesh when broader administrative restructuring was discussed.
The PPP has rejected moves to divide Sindh and has maintained that any changes to provincial boundaries should be considered through the constitutional and political process.
Following the London meeting, Bilawal and Bakhtawar left for their residence. Bilawal told reporters that he would remain in London for the next few days.
The debate over new provinces and administrative reforms is expected to remain a major political issue as parties continue to differ over the future structure of Pakistan’s provinces and local governance.