Sindh’s Information Minister Sharjeel Memon called the federal cabinet’s authority “artificial” as it pushes a controversial new‑province plan.
The minister used a press briefing on Monday to denounce the federal government’s drive to create additional provinces under the so‑called Form‑47 legislation. Memon argued that the mandate claimed by senior federal ministers is not derived from genuine public consent, labeling it a “product of Form‑47” that lacks democratic legitimacy. He urged the Pakistan Tehreek‑i‑Insaf (PTI) to rally against the bill, describing it as a contentious piece of legislation that could reshape the country’s political map without adequate consultation.
Memon’s criticism comes at a time when the federal cabinet is intensifying its campaign to restructure Pakistan’s provincial boundaries, a move that has already drawn sharp rebukes from opposition parties. While the ruling coalition insists the reform will promote administrative efficiency and equitable development, the minister contended that the proposal is being advanced by a handful of federal ministers whose parliamentary support, he claimed, is “artificial” and detached from the electorate’s will.
Former Prime Minister Shahbaz Asif, speaking for the PTI, echoed the sentiment that the issue transcends provincial interests and is fundamentally a national concern. He warned that any unilateral alteration of provincial borders could destabilize the delicate balance of power among the country’s four provinces, potentially igniting inter‑regional rivalries over resources, revenue sharing, and political representation.
Legal experts note that Form‑47, the constitutional amendment mechanism proposed for the new provinces, requires a two‑thirds majority in both houses of Parliament and ratification by a majority of provincial assemblies. Critics argue that the current push does not meet these thresholds, citing the absence of a broad consensus among provincial legislators, particularly in Sindh, where the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) holds a strong foothold.
The debate is set to continue in the coming weeks as Parliament prepares to table the amendment. If passed, the restructuring could affect electoral constituencies, federal funding formulas, and the administrative oversight of key sectors such as education and health—issues that directly impact the daily lives of Pakistanis, especially in Sindh, where the PPP remains wary of losing political influence under a re‑drawn map.