Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif speaks at the opening ceremony of Indus AI Week in Islamabad. PHOTO: RADIO PAKISTAN
LAHORE:
Amid a controversial debate over creating a separate “Karachi province”, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday sought to allay Sindh’s fears when he hosted Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah in Islamabad.
The debate over the division of Sindh heated up as allies of the PML-N at the Centre, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), clashed after the former accused the Sindh government of “chronic misgovernance” in Karachi and demanded federal control of the city, which drew the party in strong reactions in the past. metropolis.
During Wednesday’s meeting, issues relating to the political situation of Sindh and other matters of common interest also came up for discussion.
The Prime Minister called for harmony and consultation among allied parties, noting that it was essential for national stability and continuity of policies.
The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured full federal cooperation for timely completion of development projects in Sindh.
The chief minister briefed the prime minister in detail about the progress of ongoing development initiatives in the province, a press release from the prime minister’s office said.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari, who is also the co-chairman of the PPP, has asked his party’s provincial leadership to maintain cordial ties with the MQM and Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori. A well-placed leader seen as close to Zardari claimed this while dismissing rumors that the PPP was seeking the removal of Tessori.
However, party sources in Sindh denied engaging in such clandestine efforts to remove the Sindh governor and clarified that Sindh is happy to work with a governor who recognizes his constitutional mandate.
A source said that the Sindh government has, however, and will continue to protest against the misuse of the governor’s office against the Sindh government. The desire for change stems from the governor’s repeated transgressions. The governor himself has wanted to be removed since 2024 and his actions reflect that desire, he added.
A source in a Sindh ministry said the president conveyed that they were even ready to work with MQM and PML-N on the 28th amendment, but only up to a point.
He made it clear that the PPP would oppose any proposal to divide Sindh and would not engage in any dialogue to divide Sindh into administrative units.
Speaking to The Express Pakinomist, a well-placed PPP leader and key official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the focus has shifted inwards.
Zardari has asked the party leadership to put his own house in order in Sindh. He said the President made it clear to the PPP and the Sindh government that they must pull themselves together and start living up to expectations. He added that the information about the president’s censure of his Sindh leadership was not a journalistic scoop; it was leaked to the media on purpose.
He said the party has been asked to maintain cordial ties with all its allies in the coalition government and to maintain good working relationship with the governor provided the other side reciprocates the kindness.
He claimed that there is no call for a change of governor, contrary to widespread rumors and media reports. He said the recent stand-off with the MQM will ultimately prove to be a tempest in a teacup. He added that the President asked the Sindh leadership to turn down the political temperature in the province.
The leader further said that the message to Sindh is loud and clear. The President has taken them to task for their lackluster performance. He said the President was unhappy with the service standards maintained in Sindh compared to Punjab and Islamabad.
However, heads will not roll in Sindh. Everyone will continue in the same position and the same salary, he said. The party spokesperson and the Sindh Information Minister were contacted for comment but did not respond.
(With additional input from Islamabad)
