Dar to head panel to bridge differences as MQM-P leadership meets PM in Karachi

KARACHI:

In a move that could lay the groundwork for a fresh constitutional negotiation, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Thursday tabled a 28th constitutional amendment focused on empowering local governments under Article 140-A.

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

Sources said the party urged the prime minister to act quickly and bring in all political players. 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 both cooperation and underlying frictions. MQM-P leaders pushed to expedite the Karachi development package, receiving assurances from the prime minister, while Dr Farooq Sattar expressed concern over the removal of Kamran Tessori as Sindh governor, saying the party had not been taken into confidence.

The prime minister called it a “political decision” but ordered the Sindh governor to maintain close coordination with the MQM-P leaders. He also offered prayers for the health of Tessori’s mother.

Senior federal figures 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 house in order by entrusting Dar with the task of improving working relations between PML-N and MQM-P.

Read more: MQM-P urges govt 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 smooth out differences and keep lines of communication open. Sources said the committee will work as per the prime minister’s directives and is expected to be notified 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 to accelerate development in Karachi and across Sindh. The federal side assured that it would play a facilitation role to put both parties on the same page.

Also read: MQM-P should resign from federal government over change of Sindh governor

Furthermore, it was agreed that constitutional and legal matters would be handled in consultation with the MQM-P through the Ministry of Justice, while Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi would maintain regular engagement with the party. The MQM-P will also be considered confidential in key federal decisions, including austerity measures and potential energy policies.

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

The discussions also addressed the broader regional situation and ongoing development work in urban Sindh, with the MQM-P strongly advocating for a genuinely empowered local government system.