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Thursday March 28, 2024

Disputed hilly tract: Sindh PA claims Kirthar Range its part

The resolution was moved by PPP MPA Nawab Ghaibi Sardar Khan Chandio who hails from district Qambar Shahdadkot where the disputed area is located.

By Azeem Samar
April 11, 2018

KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution against the Balochistan government's claim on part of Kirthar Hills in district Qambar Shahdadkot between Sindh and Balochistan. 

The resolution was moved by PPP MPA Nawab Ghaibi Sardar Khan Chandio who hails from district Qambar Shahdadkot where the disputed area is located.

The resolution expressed disappointment of the House on a point of order raised in the Balochistan Assembly declaring the hills of “Kute-ki-kabar” and Dadiaro as part of Balochistan. The Sindh Assembly resolution emphasised that in accordance with the maps including those of 1876 and Survey of Pakistan the two mazars are located in Sindh.

Speaking on the resolution, Sindh Parliamentary Affairs Minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro said the Election Commission of Pakistan also acknowledges Kute-ki-Qabar as part of Sindh. The mover of the resolution, MPA Sardar Khan Chandio said they have historical evidence proving Sindh's historical claim over the disputed territory.

Speaking on the issue, Leader of Opposition Khawaja Izharul Hassan advised that since it is administrative issue between the two neighbouring provinces, it should be resolved amicably through administrative action.

He said while the content of the resolution has been drafted very carefully, the speeches in hte House are too passionate which disregard the fraternal relations between the neighbouring provinces.

He said such speeches would inadvertently promote sentiments of provincialism, whereas the issue could easily be resolved administratively. For sometime, the opposition leader and Deputy Speaker Syeda Shehla Raza, had a heated exchange over the issue, but the house later unanimously passed the resolution.

Meanwhile, the house also unanimously passed a private resolution moved by Opposition Pak Sarzameen Party, MPA Naila Lateef against power load-shedding in the city. Another opposition MPA ofPakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Khurrum Sher Zaman asked the Sindh government to inform the house about steps being taken to mitigate load-shedding and if they have held any negotiations with the K-Electric over the issue.

The MPA of ruling PPP, Jawed Nagori said the Supreme Court should take suo-motu cognizance of the prolonged power failures in the city. He said if things do not improve the people and their elected representatives would be compelled to stage a sit in at the K-Electric offices. The house unanimously passed a resolution on the "injustices and excesses" being committed by K-Electric against the people of the city.

A private resolution of Opposition MPA Naila Lateef was also passed advocating payment of financial privileges and benefits to journalists in accordance with the wage board award announced by the government.

The Sindh Information Minister said the government would fully support it. Meanwhile, Sindh Parliamentary Affairs Minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, while responding to MPs questions, said the government is constructing as many as 58 small dams in different parts of the province for storage of rainwater for human consumption and irrigation. Khuhro said 38 small dams have been built, while 19 are under-construction.

He said these dams can store three to four cubic feet water, which would also be helpful in maintaining the underground water level.