LONDON: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and President Asif Ali Zardari have reaffirmed the party’s opposition to any move to divide Sindh, according to party sources.
Bilawal and Zardari held a five-hour meeting at the president’s residence in London, where they discussed Pakistan’s political and overall situation, as well as the growing debate over the creation of new provinces and administrative units.
Bilawal’s sister Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari also attended the meeting, the sources said.
According to the sources, the division of Sindh remained a key point of discussion, with the PPP leadership deciding to stand firm against any attempt to alter the province’s territorial boundaries.
The speech delivered by PPP leader Faryal Talpur was also discussed during the meeting, they added.
Sindh Assembly rejects division of province
The meeting came two days after the Sindh Assembly passed a resolution rejecting any proposal to divide the province, alter its territorial boundaries or create new administrative units.
The resolution stated that the provincial assembly would not consent to any territorial alteration involving Sindh.
The move followed renewed calls from political leaders for restructuring Pakistan’s administrative system and creating additional provinces.
Bilawal has previously maintained that the PPP’s position on the creation of new provinces is clear and that such decisions should be taken through political consensus.
Regarding Sindh, he has said the issue should be discussed in the provincial assembly.
Debate over new provinces intensifies
The latest debate over administrative restructuring began in late July when Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said Pakistan’s governance system had “collapsed” and called for the creation of new administrative units.
Naqvi said the new units could be called provinces or something else and also advocated devolving greater powers to lower levels of government.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal later proposed creating between 12 and 15 provinces, calling for a national debate and political consensus on administrative reforms.
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The proposals triggered strong opposition in Sindh, particularly from the PPP, which has consistently rejected any move to divide the province.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif subsequently accused the PPP of having a “double standard”, arguing that the party supported the creation of a Saraiki province in Punjab while raising the issue of Sindhudesh when wider administrative restructuring was discussed.
Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah later described the debate as premature, while the PPP maintained that questions concerning provinces should be discussed through the relevant assemblies.
Bilawal to remain in London
Following the meeting, Bilawal and Bakhtawar left for their residence.
Speaking to reporters, Bilawal said he would remain in London for the next few days.
The latest development comes as the debate over new provinces in Pakistan continues to generate political controversy, with the PPP maintaining that Sindh’s territorial integrity is not open to unilateral change.
