Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday opposed any proposal for the division of Sindh, said that the province’s future would be determined solely by the will of its people and noting that the Sindh Assembly has passed six resolutions against any move to divide the province.
CM opposes proposal for division of Sindh, calls for stronger LG system
KARACHI, Aug 27 (APP): Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday opposed any proposal for the division of Sindh, said that the province’s future would be determined solely by the will of its people and noting that the Sindh Assembly has passed six resolutions against any move to divide the province.
Speaking to the media during his visit to the Sindh Institute of Animal Health in Korangi, the Chief Minister extended his heartfelt sympathies to the families affected by the fire incident at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). “The incident at PIMS Islamabad is deeply tragic. My thoughts and sympathies are with the affected families,” he added.
The Chief Minister observed that healthcare services require continuous improvement throughout Pakistan. “Wherever health services exist in Pakistan, there is a need to improve conditions and service delivery,” he remarked, adding that while healthcare challenges were a national concern, his constitutional responsibility remained focused on Sindh.
Responding to questions regarding proposals related to the division of Sindh, CM Shah reiterated his firm opposition to any such move.
“The Sindh Assembly has passed resolutions against the division of the province on six separate occasions,” he said. The Chief Minister maintained that any decision concerning the future of Sindh must reflect the aspirations and wishes of its people.
“I am accountable to the Sindh Assembly, its elected members and the people of Sindh. Ultimately, the people of Sindh will decide what they want.”
Highlighting the Pakistan Peoples Party’s commitment to grassroots democracy, the Chief Minister said empowering local government institutions remained a central component of the party’s political philosophy. “Strengthening local governments and devolving authority to local institutions is part of the Pakistan Peoples Party’s manifesto,” he said.
Murad Shah noted that Sindh remained the only province with an operational local government framework and elected local bodies functioning under a dedicated local government law.
“We will continue to strengthen and empower local government institutions. Along with greater authority, there is also a need to enhance accountability, administrative capacity and service delivery,” he said.
The Chief Minister also discussed the proposed Keti Bandar Deep-Sea Port project, describing it as a long-standing vision of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
He said the Sindh government, under the guidance of President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, was committed to developing the project through a public-private partnership model.
“Keti Bandar Deep-Sea Port was a dream of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. The Sindh government is working towards making this vision a reality through collaboration with the private sector,” he said.
Shah highlighted the historical importance of Keti Bandar, noting that it predates both Karachi Port and Port Qasim.
“Karachi Port was established in 1854, while Port Qasim was developed in 1972 during the tenure of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Keti Bandar is an even older port location and possesses immense strategic significance,” he remarked.
The Chief Minister said evolving global trade dynamics and recent international developments have further strengthened the case for establishing a deep-sea port at Keti Bandar.
“Given the current global situation, there is a pressing need for a modern deep-sea port at Keti Bandar. This project has the potential to transform the economic landscape of the region,” he said.
Drawing a comparison with the success of the Thar coal development initiative, Shah described the proposed port as another potentially transformative project for Sindh and Pakistan. “Thar coal has emerged as a game changer.
Concluding his media interaction, the Chief Minister reiterated the Pakistan Peoples Party’s commitment to serving the people of Sindh and pursuing development projects aimed at improving their quality of life.
