Sindh PA will reject any move by NA to approve new provinces: Murad

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said the Sindh Assembly will reject any move by the National Assembly to approve new provinces or administrative units in Sindh.

Speaking to the media during a visit to the Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi, Governor Nihal Hashmi and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said important decisions affecting the country should be taken through mutual consultation.

Governor Nihal Hashmi said the guiding principles of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah should serve as a source of direction for the country.

The governor also stated that Pakistan must remain united in the light of the principles set out by its founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said changes to provincial boundaries could only be made through a constitutional amendment. He said a resolution supported by a two-thirds majority was required for any change to the boundaries of a province.

Shah said no one could be stopped from expressing an opinion about the creation of a new province in Sindh, as every person was free to express their views in a democracy. However, he said the Constitution clearly set out the procedure for changing provincial boundaries.

Speaking about the National Finance Commission Award, the chief minister said an agreement with the federal government on the NFC had been reached in June and the NFC Award would continue.

He said discussion was currently focused on divisions and stressed that unity was the first principle set out by Quaid-e-Azam. He again called for all decisions concerning the country to be made through mutual consultation. Asked about the Mir Raza murder case, Shah said the Sindh government had not interfered in the case in the past and would not do so in the future. He said the government wanted any person responsible for wrongdoing to be identified.