LONDON, United Kingdom: The Sindh division remained firmly opposed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) after Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari held five-hour talks with President Asif Ali Zardari in London.
Local news channel Geo News and other Pakistani outlets, citing sources, reported that the meeting took place at Zardari’s London residence and was also attended by Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari. The discussions covered Pakistan’s political situation, the Sindh debate and recent remarks by PPP leader Faryal Talpur.
The reported decision came two days after the Sindh Assembly adopted a resolution rejecting proposals to divide the province, alter its territorial boundaries or create a new province or administrative units from its territory. Opposition lawmakers had walked out before the resolution was tabled, so it was approved unanimously by members present.
Read: Sindh Assembly Resolution Rejects Any Division of Province
The provincial assembly’s September 3 business formally listed debate on renewed proposals for new provinces and administrative units that could affect Sindh’s existing territorial limits.
Bilawal has previously said decisions on new provinces should be made through political consensus and the relevant elected assemblies.
Read: Indigenous Peoples’ Rights: Zardari Reaffirms Pakistan Pledge
The debate intensified after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called in July for political parties to discuss new administrative units, while Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal this week proposed consideration of 12 to 15 provinces through a national political process.
After the London meeting, Bilawal told reporters he would remain in London for the next few days.
