Clearing the Confusion: Is Bhambhore Sindh’s Seventh Division?

In the age of instant information, it’s not uncommon for misinformation to spread quickly, especially when it involves administrative changes and regional classifications. One such misconception concerns the number of administrative divisions in Sindh, a province in Pakistan. Contrary to some online sources, including Wikipedia, Sindh has only six divisions, not seven. The erroneous addition of Bhambhore as a separate division contributes to this widespread misunderstanding.

The Origin of the Misconception

The root of this confusion dates back to 2014, when the Government of Sindh proposed creating a new administrative division named Bhambhore. This proposed division was to encompass the districts of Thatta, Sujawal, and Badin. The announcement was made by former provincial minister Syed Ovais Muzaffar during a press conference, which also included then Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Sikander Mandhro and Karachi PPP President Abdul Qadir Patel.

The Announcement vs. Reality

Despite the announcement, the creation of Bhambhore division never materialized into an official decision. No formal administrative orders or notifications were issued to solidify Bhambhore as a new division. The excitement and immediate reporting by newspapers, including the reputable Dawn, on the announcement contributed to the public and media assumption that the new division had been officially established.

The Role of Media and Wikipedia

Media coverage following the 2014 announcement, without subsequent follow-ups or clarifications, led to the persistence of this misconception. Wikipedia, being a user-edited platform, often reflects the prevalent information circulating in public domains. As a result, many entries erroneously list seven divisions in Sindh, including the non-existent Bhambhore division.

Clarifying the Facts

The official records, including data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, clearly indicate that Sindh comprises six divisions:

  1. Karachi Division
  2. Hyderabad Division
  3. Sukkur Division
  4. Larkana Division
  5. Mirpurkhas Division
  6. Karachi Division