MQM-P calls for national dialogue on population-based new provinces

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan has called for a national dialogue on the creation of new provinces and announced plans to approach the Supreme Court again over the non-implementation of Article 140A.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, MQM-P chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui made the remarks at a press conference in Karachi alongside Farooq Sattar and Mustafa Kamal on Sunday.

Siddiqui said the existing provinces in Pakistan had been created largely on linguistic grounds and argued that new provinces should instead be formed according to population.

He said there was a need to discuss the creation of new provinces without allowing political interests to dominate the debate.

He added that several political parties were now expressing views similar to those of the MQM.

Siddiqui said Sindh had the greatest need for new provinces and that his party was ready to hold talks with different political groups on the issue.

He also said the MQM had previously raised the issue of what it described as “abandoned Sindh” and would once again approach the Supreme Court over the failure to implement Article 140A.

Article 140A provides for an elected local government system and gives provincial governments responsibility for establishing and devolving political, administrative and financial authority to local governments.

Speaking at the same press conference, Mustafa Kamal said the existing system was creating difficulties for people.

He argued that the creation of new administrative units in Sindh could also provide greater freedom and opportunities for farmers.

Kamal said Sindh had received a total of Rs22,000 billion over the past 17 years.

The MQM-P leaders said it would continue to push for a wider national debate on the administrative structure of the country and greater powers for local governments.…Read more by News Desk