“Kuttay Ji Qabar: Jurisdiction Dispute Sparks debate in Senate Committee”
ISLAMABAD, Mar 07 (EPI):Senate Committee Reviews Jurisdiction Dispute Over Kuttay Ji Qabar
The Senate Functional Committee on Problems of Less Developed Areas, chaired by Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani, convened today at Parliament House. The meeting was attended by Senators Danesh Kumar, Muhammad Aslam Abro, and Falak Naz, along with the Secretary of Inter-Provincial Coordination, the Secretary of the Sindh Ministry of Tourism, the Deputy Commissioner of District Khuzdar, and senior officials from relevant departments. The committee critically analyzed the ongoing jurisdictional dispute over Kuttay Ji Qabar.
The contested site, a historical location in Mouza Dhadaro, Union Council Sunchuko, Tehsil Karkh, District Khuzdar, Balochistan, was declared a protected heritage site by the Sindh Government in January 2025. However, the Government of Balochistan refutes this claim, arguing that historical records, maps, and legal frameworks place the site under its administrative jurisdiction. This marks the third time Sindh has laid claim to the site as protected heritage.
A representative from the Sindh Government provided literary, historical, and geographical references to support Sindh’s claim, emphasizing that the matter concerns jurisdictional clarification. He also asserted that resolution through coordination between both governments is preferable to escalating the issue at this forum.
Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani stated that while Sindh claims this forum lacks jurisdiction, constitutional matters involve both the province and the federation. Citing Article 143 of the Constitution, he highlighted that any dispute between two entities falls under federal jurisdiction and should be addressed accordingly. He disagreed with Sindh’s stance, noting that while it seeks federal intervention for water disputes, it now denies the federation’s role in this matter.
“Historically, territorial boundaries have changed—where was this region in the 4th century BC, in 1711, or during the Third Battle of Panipat? Borders shift over time due to wars and political changes. The focus should be on the present legal status rather than historical gazetteers,” he remarked.
Senator Durrani further questioned the electoral jurisdiction of the area, asking under which territory the residents of Kuttay Ji Qabar vote, and demanded a voter list. He also pointed out that the current MPA from the contested territory represents Balochistan, not Sindh.
A representative from Balochistan stated that while historical references were being presented, the issue must align with constitutional provisions, which affirm the area as part of Balochistan. He stressed that any territorial changes require a two-thirds majority approval and reiterated that the village is located 25 km inside Balochistan. In a gesture of goodwill, he suggested withdrawing Sindh’s notification while still recognizing the site’s significance as a protected heritage.
After hearing both sides, Chairman Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani recommended that both governments form a joint committee to resolve the matter amicably within 30 days. If unresolved within 90 days, the Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Ministry will intervene, and once the issue is settled, a report must be submitted to the Senate Committee.
The Committee was also briefed on the criteria for gas distribution, with a compliance report to be presented in a future session. Additionally, ongoing and completed Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) projects from the past 10 years were discussed. The MD of Petroleum Division highlighted gas shortages in Sui Town as a major concern and outlined key initiatives benefiting local residents.
Chairman Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani recommended authorities submit a comprehensive province-wise report on projects completed under CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) in the last decade, assessing their impact, future initiatives, and employment generation. He also emphasized that relevant stakeholders would be summoned for further clarification in upcoming meetings.
Ends-Exact Press International-