MQM-P Chairman Advocates New Urban Province in Sindh for Karachi's Governance Needs
Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Chairman Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has called for the creation of a new urban province in Sindh, citing Karachi's growing population and economic significance as reasons for this "unavoidable necessity." Speaking at 'The Dialogue Karachi' event, Dr. Siddiqui argued for a new administrative framework within Pakistan's constitutional structure. Attendees, including politicians, experts, and civil society members, generally agreed that Karachi suffers from chronic injustice, poor governance, and a weak local government system. They stressed the importance of empowering local governments, implementing Article 140-A of the Constitution, and pursuing administrative reforms to address the city's long-standing challenges.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Chairman Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, who also serves as the federal education minister, has emphasized the need to establish a new urban province in Sindh. He described this as an "unavoidable necessity," attributing it to Karachi's expanding population and increasing economic importance. Dr. Siddiqui conveyed these views at 'The Dialogue Karachi' program, organized by his party at a local hotel on Sunday.
The event brought together a range of figures, including politicians, intellectuals, journalists, urban development specialists, and governance experts. A general consensus emerged that Karachi faces persistent issues of chronic injustice, poor governance, and an inadequate local government (LG) system. Participants warned that the city, a key economic hub, cannot thrive without genuine devolution of powers and comprehensive administrative reforms.
Discussions highlighted decades of neglect, flawed governance structures, insufficient representation, and the failure to empower local governments in the metropolis. It was agreed that Karachi's future is linked to the empowerment of local governments, the effective implementation of Article 140-A of the Constitution, and administrative reforms designed to resolve the city's long-standing governance challenges.
Dr. Siddiqui defended MQM's political legacy, asserting that significant development in Karachi occurred during periods when the party held local government authority. He stated that allegations linking MQM to major criminal incidents, such as the killings of Hakim Saeed and Amjad Sabri, and the Baldia factory fire tragedy, have not been substantiated in courts.
Other speakers also voiced criticism regarding local governance in Karachi. MQM-P leader and MNA Javed Hanif cited a lack of political will as the reason for the city's unresolved problems. Former Sindh governor and interior minister Moinuddin Haider claimed that the 18th Constitutional Amendment strengthened provincial control without adequately transferring powers to the grassroots level. Senior journalist Mazhar Abbas lamented declining civic and cultural standards in Karachi, attributing it to weak local institutions. Journalist Amir Zia highlighted Karachi's low ranking in global liveability assessments despite its economic significance, framing the city's challenges as a national rather than an ethnic or political issue.
(Source: Dawn Pakistan)
