MQM-P calls for new province in Sindh

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KARACHI: With the 28th Amendment being discussed, the Matahida Qaumi Tehreek-Pakistan (MQM-P) has once again pressed its long-standing call for a new province in Sindh, unveiling plans for a publicly mobilized campaign and legal measures to “secure constitutional rights” for residents.

Addressing a press conference in Karachi with the party’s top leadership on Thursday, MQM-P convener Dr Khalid Kimbol Siddiqui warned that if parliament and courts failed to deliver justice, the party would “take the struggle to the streets”.

As discussions continue on the 28th amendment, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah has said that it will be tabled once a consensus is reached. He added that the proposed amendment would relate to local bodies, National Finance Commission (NFC) and health related matters.

Speaking to reporters, Siddiqui—who is also the federal education minister—said the demand for a new province was not MQMP’s alone but a “constitutional demand”, citing Article 239 which allows for the creation of new provinces and districts.

“A province is an administrative unit. It has to grow with the population. This is the demand of the constitution, not the MQMP,” he said.

“The 17-year-long occupation of Karachi must end now,” he said, adding that Pakistan was suffering from a “feudal democracy” where even 1% of authority is denied to those who contribute 100%.

He questioned Karachi’s population figures and the city’s “handover”, warning that the city’s future is under attack, its master plan has been turned into “corruption”.

Siddiqui also questioned whether those opposing the new provinces in Sindh are holding the same position on Punjab. “Has the minister said whether he is also against dividing Punjab?” He asked while appreciating the Punjab Assembly for introducing Article 140-A.

He reiterated MQMP’s determination to solve public problems and said that the party considers Pakistan as mother and Sindh as its integral part. “The enemies of development have been rejected,” Siddiqui said, adding that the party would continue its struggle for empowered local governance and a fair administrative structure.

The party convener also criticized the efforts to downsize the local governments, saying that the issues of Karachi and Hyderabad were being neglected despite the MQM-P’s creation within the assemblies and the government.

“We fought for the master plan of Karachi. We will continue to beautify and rebuild the city,” he said, adding that the party supported full implementation of the 18th Amendment, which includes Article 140-A on empowered local governments.

He added that a political party had opposed the MQMP’s stand on the 26th Amendment, stressing that the party had only one condition: “Give the people the constitutional rights already written for them.” He added that Karachi’s population and its share in resources needed to be publicly acknowledged.

Siddiqui also dismissed claims that the MQMP steals credit for the work of others. “We are not in the business of hijacking achievements,” he remarked, adding that the party’s MNAs and MPAs were monitoring ongoing developments in Karachi.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tesori, for his part, said that the MQMP “fought for Karachi and Hyderabad and secured the package”, but argued that there would be real help only when the party “rules the province”.

He declared that he was “first an MQM worker, then a governor”, and vowed to ensure the implementation of Siddiqui’s demands. He also said, “People are pleading – the roads are broken, and no one listens.”