Sharjeel Memon lambasts 'Form 47' federal ministers over new provinces

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon publicly criticized several federal ministers who have advocated for the creation of new provinces, claiming their calls stem from a lack of genuine public representation. The debate over new provinces began late last month, with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi suggesting the establishment of additional administrative units to modernize the country's governance system.

Since then, political parties in Sindh and various federal ministers have voiced differing opinions on the matter. Speaking at the Sindh Assembly, Memon deemed federal ministers' recent remarks regarding provinces and the 18th Amendment as "extremely regrettable." He specifically targeted Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and Health Minister Mustafa Kamal for opposing the 18th Amendment, urging them to address their concerns directly in the parliament rather than the media.

Memon emphasized that elected representatives should engage with the people and secure their votes before commenting on national decisions. He stressed that provinces were autonomous following the 18th Amendment and had made strides in healthcare, education, energy, and other sectors. Memon argued that dissenting federal ministers should acknowledge the amendment's benefits and the provinces' achievements before opposing it.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) strongly condemned the federal ministers' statements, warning that such remarks threaten Sindh's constitutional status. At a meeting of the PPP Sindh chapter, the party demanded Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif address the federal ministers' remarks and instruct them to refrain from discussing new provincial units.

The PPP cautioned the federal government against undermining democracy and the integrity of the nation, warning that if they persisted in their actions, the PPP would consider them complicit in a conspiracy against Sindh.