MQM-P Rejects Sindh Assembly Resolution Against Karachi Province, Calls It ‘Unconstitutional’

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) on Sunday condemned a resolution passed by the Sindh Assembly against the creation of a separate Karachi province, calling it “unconstitutional.” The party cited Article 239 of the 1973 Constitution, which permits the creation of new provinces.

MQM-P Chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, flanked by Farooq Sattar, Mustafa Kamal, and Senator Faisal Subzwari, stated, “Yesterday, a resolution against the Constitution of Pakistan was passed by the Sindh Assembly.”

He added that Article 48(6) of the Constitution even allows for a referendum in such matters. Criticizing the provincial government, Siddiqui alleged, “PPP has passed this resolution under the shadow of some fear,” and warned that the ruling party was unwilling to empower even its own mayor in Karachi.

He emphasized dialogue as the only solution, asserting that MQM-P seeks peace, and highlighted the long-standing injustice faced by urban populations in the multilingual province: “Sindh is the most multilingual province in Pakistan, and injustice has been happening in urban areas for the last 20 years.”

Sindh Assembly Resolution

The Sindh Assembly, led by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, passed the resolution rejecting any attempt to carve out Karachi as a separate province, declaring the city an “integral part” of Sindh. The resolution received support from PTI and Jamaat-e-Islami members, while MQM-P rejected it.

Addressing lawmakers, CM Shah stated that Sindh’s unity and territorial integrity are constitutionally protected and non-negotiable. He highlighted the province’s historical significance, tracing its identity from Mohenjo-Daro to the Sindh Legislative Assembly that passed the Pakistan Resolution in 1943.

“The province that played a foundational role in the creation of Pakistan cannot allow the fragmentation of its own historic homeland,” Shah asserted. He condemned attempts to detach Karachi, saying, “Any attempt to divide Sindh or detach Karachi is contrary to history, constitutional spirit and democratic norms.”

Referring to Article 239, Shah explained that any alteration of provincial boundaries requires the consent of at least two-thirds of the provincial assembly. He also noted that a similar resolution had been passed in 1994, reinforcing Sindh’s long-standing defense of its territorial integrity.

The resolution concluded by urging political stakeholders to refrain from divisive rhetoric and reaffirmed that Karachi shall “forever remain” part of Sindh, emphasizing that opposing it would be tantamount to supporting the province’s division.