Karachi: Opposition Leader of Tehreek Tahaffuz-i-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP) have voiced support for Sindh position on key federal-provincial issues, rejecting any proposed changes to the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and warning against projects they say could affect the province’s water rights.
The remarks were made during a joint press conference at the Karachi Press Club attended by TTAP Vice Chairman Syed Zain Shah, PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh, former Sindh governor Mohammad Zubair and representatives of several opposition parties.
While criticizing the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led Sindh government over governance and public service delivery, the opposition leaders also opposed any move that could reduce Sindh’s constitutional share of resources.
Mohammad Zubair said Sindh should not be blamed for what he described as shortcomings at the federal level. He argued that the NFC Award represents a constitutional agreement between the federation and provinces and cannot be altered without a constitutional amendment.
He also criticized the exclusion of petroleum levy collections from the divisible pool, claiming that provinces were being deprived of funds that should be distributed under the existing formula.
Haleem Adil Sheikh said the people of Sindh were facing challenges from both federal policies and provincial governance issues. He alleged that despite receiving significant financial resources over the past 18 years, the province continues to struggle in sectors such as education, healthcare, law and order and municipal services.
Referring to Karachi’s contribution to the national economy, he said the city generates a major share of Pakistan’s revenue but still faces shortages of water, sanitation, transport and other essential services.
TTAP Vice Chairman Zain Shah warned against any reduction in Sindh’s NFC share and expressed concern over proposed water projects that could affect the province’s water allocation. He claimed that new canal and dam projects could further reduce water availability for Sindh and vowed resistance to any such measures.
He also criticized the Sindh budget, alleging that cuts to agricultural research funding could negatively impact innovation, crop productivity and farmers across the province.
The opposition leaders stressed that provincial autonomy, resource distribution and water rights must be protected under the constitutional framework.