Dar to chair panel to iron out differences as MQM-P leadership meets PM in Karachi

KARACHI:

In a move that could pave the way for further constitutional negotiations, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Thursday introduced a 28th constitutional amendment focused on empowering local governments under Article 140-A.

The proposal, which effectively brings local governance back to center stage, was presented by an MQM-P delegation led by Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui at a high-level meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Karachi.

Sources said the party urged the Prime Minister to act quickly and include all political stakeholders. The Prime Minister, in response, agreed to hold a follow-up meeting next week to iron out details and continue moving forward on the proposed amendment.

The meeting also laid bare cooperation and underlying frictions. MQM-P leaders pushed for accelerating Karachi’s development agenda, receiving assurances from the Prime Minister, while Dr Farooq Sattar raised concerns over the removal of Kamran Tessori as Sindh governor, saying the party had not been taken into confidence.

The Prime Minister termed it a “political decision” but ordered that the Sindh governor remain in close coordination with the MQM-P leadership. He also offered prayers for the health of Tessori’s mother.

Senior federal officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, were present.

At the same time, the federal government decided to put its political affairs in order by tasking Dar with improving working relations between the PML-N and the MQM-P.

Learn more: MQM-P urges government to introduce 28th amendment to empower local bodies

A coordination committee, comprising Sanaullah, Tarar and Ahsan Iqbal, will be formed under Dar’s leadership to iron out differences and keep lines of communication open. Sources said the committee would work as directed by the Prime Minister and is expected to be informed soon.

According to PML-N sources, the meeting also highlighted the need to bridge the gaps between the MQM-P and the PPP-led Sindh government in order to accelerate development in Karachi and across Sindh. The federal side assured that it would play a facilitating role to put the two parties on the same wavelength.

Read also: MQM-P set to leave federal government following change of Sindh governor

It was further agreed that constitutional and legal matters would be taken up in consultation with the MQM-P through the Law Ministry, while Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi would maintain regular engagement with the party. The MQM-P will also be trusted on key federal decisions, including austerity measures and potential energy policies.

Federal ministers are expected to visit Karachi soon to review development projects, with the planning minister remaining in direct touch with MQM-P leaders. A meeting between the MQM-P and the proposed coordination committee will be scheduled in mutual consultation.

The discussions also touched on the broader regional situation and ongoing development works in urban Sindh, with the MQM-P strongly advocating for a truly empowered local government system.