Province debate hampers talks for caretaker CM

CM Shah criticises MQM-P over demand for separate province

KARACHI: The appointment of caretaker chief minister in Sindh may suffer a blow in the wake of the differences between Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) over remarks against bifurcation of Sindh.

In in his budget speech on Wednesday, the CM had not only criticised the MQM-P leadership, but also cursed those who demanded a new province in Sindh.

“Curse on those who try to divide our motherland [Sindh]” were the words of the chief minister who emotionally reacted to the MQM-P lawmakers calling for carving out a new province from Sindh.

The MQM-P not only protested against the CM’s remarks, but also demanded of him to tender an apology for “using derogatory language against Mohajirs who demanded a new province”.

The MQM-P leaders belonging to different factions not only condemned Shah’s speech, but also boycotted an Iftar party organised at the CM House.

“After the Iftar party, the CM and Opposition Leader in Sindh Assembly Khawaja Izharul Hasan were supposed to hold a meeting for finalising a name for caretaker CM, but it could not happen due to the differences over new province,” an official from Sindh government said.

There are reports that the CM will again approach the opposition leader today (Thursday) to have a meeting on the issue.  But the MQM-P is asking for an apology first.

The CM, however, told reporters after the Iftar dinner that he would not tender an apology as he did not utter the words against the MQM-P, but criticised those willing to split Sindh province.