Bhanbhore division: Citizens repel decision to carve new division, demand govt reconsider

Activists claim the decision was political, not administrative.

KARACHI: The people of Badin are not in favour of the decision to include Badin district into the new division, Bhanbhore. They have demanded the government reconsider the decision as it will create socio-economic issues in the district, suggesting the inclusion of Tharparkar into the new district with Badin city as its headquarters.

Protests have erupted in four talukas of Badin, including Matli, Talhar, Tando Bago and Badin, in the wake of the recent decision. People from all walks of life are participating in the demonstrations, demanding the government withdraw the decision or at least reconsider its implications.



It was also learnt that, after the public reaction, lawmakers belonging to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) are trying to approach the top leadership to at least revisit the decision.

"It is a political decision, not an administrative one," said a social and political activist from Badin, Ashfaque Memon. "Bhanbhore is closer to Karachi, compared to the other areas of the two districts." Memon said that the administration would benefit if the government were to include Tharparkar into the new division. The protesters claimed that Hyderabad is the economic hub and the people of Badin have strong socio-cultural ties with the second largest city of the province. "We did not ask for a new division in the coastal belt but if the government really wants to facilitate people, it should decide wisely," commented Advocate Kamran Lakho, an activist of Qaumi Awami Tehreek.

"The government has not developed any infrastructure in Sujawal district," contended another activist, Dr Akash Ansari. "How will it make Makli the divisional headquarters?" He alleged that the decision was a conspiracy by the PPP government.

"We support the additional division in the coastal belt," said Tando Bago's MPA Hasnain Mirza whose voters seem more agitated over the separation of Badin district from Hyderabad. "I understand the people's concerns and we are trying to approach the provincial leadership to revisit the decision."

Mirza revealed that MNA Dr Fehmida Mirza had suggested the inclusion of Tharparkar district into the new division. "It would be more convenient for all districts of the same route," he explained.

Mirza said that it was also suggested to make Badin city as the headquarters of the new division, saying that the city is located at the central point of all areas of the four districts.

MNA Kamal Chang, whose constituency is most affected by the formation of the new division, admitted that the decision was not a feasible one.

He said that the biggest issue was the distance between Hyderabad and Makli. "We welcome the formation of the new division and are happy if people of far flung areas of Thatta and Sujawal are facilitated, but we must look after the interests of our own people too," he maintained.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30^th, 2014.