Sindh-centre ties

One after another there have been squabbles between the PTI-led federal government and the PPP government in Sindh. This is a disturbing reminder of a deep political polarization that has marked the country for the past many years. Such recurring tussles result in a breakdown of governance structures and a resultant poor performance on many fronts. First there was no rapport between the chief minister and the governor of Sindh. Then the islands issue caused consternation; followed by the issue of some hospitals whose ownership became contentious between the centre and Sindh. Even more tensions emerged during various by-elections in the province where the PPP and PTI were the main rivals. Both governments rather than making efforts to reduce tensions and forge a constructive relationship have resorted to even more bickering behaviour, while blaming each other for the mismanagement of the Covid-19 pandemic, and then in the water dispute that involved allegations of unfair distribution of water flowing into Sindh.

Rather than solving important issues pertaining to governance, the parties and their governments have been at each other’s throats. Sindh’s issues are myriad and need concerted efforts. Be it the law and order or water resources or even vaccination, all are serious matters worthy of even more serious responses from all parties involved. One must stress the need for dialogue to resolve or at least mitigate the problems the people of Sindh are facing. There can be no better approach than forming a functional working relationship. At the moment, the contention rather than resolution is what is winning the day. The province requires sustained engagement between officials and representatives from both sides. Issues such as the one regarding the Bundal and Buddo islands remain unresolved and both parties are sticking to their guns.

There is a dire need to lower the political temperature by engaging with each other more positively. The people of Sindh are mainly affected by these inadvisable quarrels that consume a lot of energy and time of ministers and officials who should be devoting more of their time in serving the people rather than indulging in petty back and forth. The federal government has announced ambitious packages for the uplift of Sindh but little can be seen on the ground. Because of a serious lack of coordination between the federal and Sindh governments there are visible adverse effects harming the interests of Sindh. For any proper implementation of a large package of uplift, the governance issues in Sindh will play a significant role. Forging a good working relationship is of vital importance now to facilitate some constructive work in the province.