KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has demanded the creation of new provinces across the country on the basis of population, stating that the case for new administrative units within Sindh is the strongest.
MQM-P Chairman Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, along with senior leaders Dr. Farooq Sattar and Dr. Mustafa Kamal, addressed a joint press conference in Karachi the other day.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said the existing provinces were created on a linguistic basis and despite a continuous increase in population, no new provinces have been created. He said the demand for new provinces is not based on any organizational or political need, but is the need of entire Pakistan.
“The effects of not creating new provinces should also be discussed. We are ready to talk to different political parties. Everyone should negotiate by setting aside political interests,” he said, calling for a national dialogue on the issue.
“If creating provinces was treason or wrong, then how is this clause included in the Constitution of Pakistan?” he questioned. He said the Constitution already provides for the creation of new provinces and instead of removing the clause, it should be implemented.
He noted that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had made provision for establishment of new provinces in the 1973 Constitution.
He said migrants were optional Pakistanis and optional Sindhis, adding that the people of Sindh had welcomed migrants with love,; he said, adding that migrants found love and respect in Sindh and their settlement in urban areas of Sindh is a historical fact.
“It is necessary to raise voice for the rights and identity of migrants, he said, adding that MQM-P has highlighted the problems of urban Sindh at the national level and will continue to struggle for their rights.
He said MQM-P has always sent people from middle and lower-middle classes to the assemblies, and that the party’s matter regarding new provinces in the National Assembly has gone to the Standing Committee, which has started deliberations.
On the occasion, Dr. Mustafa Kamal said those who have suffered oppression for generations have accepted it as their destiny, but MQM-P has not surrendered before oppressors and will continue its struggle within the ambit of the constitution and law.
“With the formation of new administrative units, the farmers of Sindh will also get freedom and the people will be able to change their Chief Minister,” Kamal said.
He said the federation gives Rs 884 billion on the first day, yet the problems of Sindh remain unresolved. “Sindh received Rs 22,000 billion in 18 years, but despite spending Rs 22,000 billion, Sindh is in the worst condition. The people are not getting basic facilities according to their resources,” he said, adding that fair distribution of resources and a better administrative system is the need of the hour.
The MQM’s federal minister said the current system has created a large number of disappointed people, and out of frustration people take up arms in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while the system is depriving people and making them distrustful of the state.
New provinces are not a division of the country but an administrative arrangement, and not even an inch of Sindh’s land will be included in any other province, he clarified.
Mustafa Kamal said devolution of powers to the lower level is the need of the hour and a constitutional amendment is necessary to empower local government.
He said it was agreed to give powers to local government in the 26th constitutional amendment and the Prime Minister, the cabinet and other parties had agreed on the local government amendment, but the PPP blocked it. He alleged that the party with the numbers to topple the government opposed the amendment.
Dr. Farooq Sattar said development and stability in Pakistan is impossible without establishment of more administrative units. Every Pakistani must be given the right to live with his head held high, and getting rid of poverty, unemployment and inflation is necessary, he said.
“If sense of deprivation and insecurity is not ended, rebellion will break out from place to place. Alienation from the state is dangerous,” Sattar said, adding that there is a problem of misrule and corruption in all four provinces.
He said Karachi is the economic capital of Pakistan, contributing 60 percent of Pakistan’s taxes and revenues, providing 90 percent of revenue to the province, and accounting for 55 percent of the country’s exports, but has been under the grip of worst governance and corruption for 18 years. An economic hub like Karachi should be given its legitimate rights and powers, he demanded.
Backdrop of internal differences
It is pertinent to mention here that the joint press conference came against the backdrop of reported internal differences within MQM-P.
According to party sources, the organization is currently witnessing a three-way divide between Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui Group, Dr. Farooq Sattar Group and Mustafa Kamal Group.
Sources said differences between the Siddiqui and Sattar groups came to light when the Sattar group boycotted MQM-P gatherings in Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas on Saturday and Sunday.
The Sattar group, according to sources, has demanded that Dr. Siddiqui take a strong stand on the governorship of Kamran Tessori, resign from the federal ministry and hand over the portfolio to Dr. Sattar.
Sources said senior leaders tried to convince Dr. Sattar, but he did not agree. However, despite open differences, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui’s group is still considered organizationally the strongest and continues to dominate.
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