MQM-P seeks national dialogue on new administrative units

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has advocated for the development of new administrative units across Pakistan, asserting that it is a pressing necessity that should be explored through a national dialogue. Speaking at a press conference in Karachi alongside other party members, Siddiqui pointed out that Pakistan's provinces were not exclusively formed for administrative purposes and have become excessively large in terms of population and area.

He argued that while the country has established new districts and divisions due to population growth, it has not created new provinces or administrative units at the same rate. Siddiqui clarified that MQM-P does not aim to divide Sindh geographically, but seeks administrative units to ensure a fairer allocation of powers, resources, and responsibilities.

He emphasized that the demand for new provinces or administrative units is not limited to MQM-P and should be considered nationwide. Siddiqui is willing to collaborate with all political parties on the issue and remain committed to a constitutional and legal fight for enhanced power devolution. He suggested that Karachi and other regions advocating for increased administrative autonomy should be evaluated based on population and administrative requirements.

Siddiqui also contended that forming administrative units is permissible under the Constitution and questioned why requesting them should be viewed as treason if the Constitution allows for such modifications.

Federal Minister Mustafa Kamal contended that Pakistan requires a system granting people more control over their affairs and facilitating the replacement of local leadership. He argued that Sindh has received approximately Rs22 trillion over 18 years, yet many parts of the province remain underdeveloped. Kamal emphasized that the issue is about district-level administration, not division, and that creating new administrative units would benefit Sindh rather than weaken it.

He highlighted that Karachi and Hyderabad together constitute around 43% of Sindh's population and believed that forming new administrative units would enhance political and administrative empowerment for residents in rural Sindh. Kamal stated that MQM-P supports the calls for administrative restructuring to bolster public accountability, asserting that farmers in the province should have the ability to change the chief minister if there is an administrative unit.

He clarified that the proposal for new administrative units was not initiated by MQM-P, stating that Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and the director general of Inter-Services Public Relations have also expressed the need to reassess Pakistan's provincial structure.