MQM-P Chief Signals Karachi-to-Islamabad March Over Demand for New Administrative Units

KARACHI:Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has hinted at a possible march from Karachi to Islamabad as part of the party’s campaign for the creation of new administrative units across Sindh and Pakistan and the implementation of an empowered local government system.

Addressing an MQM-P rally in Karachi, Siddiqui said the city had made its decision and that the party’s workers had once again made history. He said that if the caravan travelled from Karachi to Islamabad, it could become a significant development for Pakistan.

Siddiqui said the party wanted a democratic system in which powers were transferred closer to the people. He also maintained that new administrative units should be created on administrative rather than linguistic grounds so that the benefits of democracy could reach ordinary citizens.

Senior MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar said Karachi’s residents had voiced support for the transfer of powers and that a new phase of greater public participation had begun. He said 18 years of patience had brought people onto the streets in support of greater administrative authority and empowered local governments.

Sattar further said that people from different parts of interior Sindh had joined the campaign and called for an end to what he described as hereditary politics. He also said the party would take its campaign to cities including Sukkur, Mirpurkhas and Nawabshah.

The MQM-P held the rally as part of its broader campaign for new administrative units and greater devolution of political and administrative powers. The party has said the campaign is not limited to Karachi and aims to take the issue to other parts of Sindh and the country.