MQM-P says will be approaching other parties to set off 'grand national dialogue' on new provinces
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) announced on Sunday that it was taking the initiative to begin a “grand national dialogue” on the creation of new provinces and approaching other political parties for talks. MQM-P Chairman Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui made the announcement at a press conference in Karachi, where he stressed the need for a grand national dialogue on the matter. He said…
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) announced on Sunday its intention to initiate a "grand national dialogue" with other parties regarding the creation of new provinces in the country. MQM-P Chairman Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui emphasized the need for such a dialogue during a press conference in Karachi. He stated that the MQM-P has long contended that the creation of existing provinces in Pakistan was not done in accordance with all legal merits and was instead based on linguistic grounds.
Siddiqui also highlighted the need for new administrative units due to Pakistan's growing population. He expressed gratitude for the support of various political parties and groups in his party's longstanding demand for more provinces. Siddiqui urged all parties to engage in a dialogue and emphasized that the MQM-P would stand with any voices supporting the creation of new provinces.
He clarified that the MQM-P was not solely advocating for new administrative units in Sindh but across the entire country, though he noted that the case for new provinces was strongest in Sindh. Siddiqui also discussed Article 140-A, which mandates provinces to devolve political, administrative, and financial responsibilities to elected local representatives.
He lamented the lack of implementation of this article and pointed out that his party had filed a case in the Supreme Court. Siddiqui stressed that the demand for stronger local governance was not limited to the MQM-P but had become a need for Pakistan. He reiterated that the implementation of Article 140-A was not just a party demand but a constitutional requirement.
Siddiqui questioned the legality of the creation of additional provinces and emphasized that giving provinces the right to self-rule should not be seen as a conflict of interest. He concluded by stating that the MQM-P would engage lawyers to challenge the lack of implementation of the Supreme Court's ruling in the Supreme Court.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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