KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Monday strongly rejected recent remarks by Health Minister and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Mustafa Kamal, accusing him of attempting to revive politics based on ethnic differences, division and hatred.
In a statement shared on X by the Sindh Information Department, Memon alleged that Kamal was trying to promote a political narrative similar to that associated with the MQM’s past politics. He claimed that such politics had already been rejected by the people and would not gain public support again.
Memon also accused Kamal of attempting to create political space by promoting ethnic divisions. He said the people of Sindh had repeatedly rejected attempts to create conflict between different communities and would continue to oppose efforts aimed at dividing society.
The remarks came a day after Kamal criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led Sindh government over what he described as its refusal to acknowledge the presence and concerns of the next generation of migrants who settled in Pakistan.
Kamal had also argued that those opposing the creation of new administrative units were effectively opposing PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Referring to constitutional provisions, he maintained that Bhutto had introduced Article 239 and argued that constitutional amendments were intended to strengthen the country’s legal and political framework.
Responding to Kamal’s comments, Memon said previous attempts to create a division between Sindh’s urban and rural populations had failed and would not succeed in the future. He maintained that the PPP had consistently worked to remove what he called “walls of hatred” and had promoted peace, development and unity among the people.
Memon described Karachi as the “heart of Sindh” and an important part of Pakistan’s economy. He accused political opponents of previously damaging the city’s reputation by associating it with violence and terrorism and alleged that they were now supporting the creation of new administrative units at the direction of the federal government.
The senior minister further claimed that the public was aware of what he described as the MQM-P’s “false narrative and political theatrics”. He criticised attempts to give an ethnic dimension to administrative decisions, saying such efforts were intended to keep what he called “failed politics” alive.
Addressing criticism of the PPP’s 18-year rule in Sindh, Memon said those questioning the party’s performance had already faced rejection from voters in the most recent general elections. He said the PPP had received a renewed mandate from the people and would continue working across the province.
On allegations that the quota system had restricted opportunities for certain communities, Memon rejected the claims and said the PPP had provided development opportunities to people throughout Sindh without discrimination. He also denied that his party had ever attempted to divide Karachi.
“It is ridiculous to hold a party that seeks to unite the federation responsible for dividing Karachi,” Memon said, reiterating that serving the people of Karachi and the rest of Sindh remained a key objective of the PPP.
Memon also questioned Kamal over the MQM’s past record, asking him to explain which political identity had been associated with ethnic conflict, extortion, targeted killings and violence.
He said Sindh had historically been home to people speaking different languages and belonging to different communities. According to Memon, attempts to divide the province on ethnic grounds would face strong resistance from its people.
