Bhanbhor carved out of Hyderabad division

Opposition deems move politically motivated.

HYDERABAD:

The Sindh government bifurcating Hyderabad division on Thursday carved out another division named Bhanbhor. According to a notification issued by the provincial government, the newly-created division will comprise three districts – Badin, Thatta and Sujjawal. Makli will serve as its headquarters.

With this decision, the number of divisions in the province has climbed to six. Earlier, Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur and Larkana divisions existed in the province.

The exiting Hyderabad division will now consist of seven districts – Benazirabad, Dadu, Jamshoro, Tando Allahyar, Matiyari, Tando Muhammad Khan and Hyderabad.

This has triggered yet another debate with the leaders of opposition parties in Sindh terming it a ‘political move’. The government officials of the ruling Pakistan Peoples party, however, are calling it a purely administrative decision to facilitate the people.

“We welcome this decision, which has been made on the recommendation of local people,” Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said, adding that more districts in the province can be made.

But PML-N MNA Ayaz Shah Sherazi who belongs to Thatta expressed doubt over the recent development. He said, “Earlier, the provincial government carved out Sujjawal district from Thatta, now they have split Hyderabad division.  We are currently reviewing the situation and will welcome it if it is in favour of people of Thatta, otherwise we will start a campaign against it.”

On the other hand, PPP leader Owais Muzaffar told a press conference that PPP workers would convene rallies in Thatta, Sajawal and other districts to celebrate the creation of new division.

He added that the previous governments ignored Thatta and Sajawal but the present government is developing these areas under a comprehensive development plan. He said that Thatta can be used to promote fishing and foreign exchange can be earned through it.

He said that the new division will help solving the issues faced by the people.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25^th, 2014.