MQM Delegation Meets Prime Minister, Demands Empowerment of Local Governments in 27th Constitutional Amendment

Islamabad: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Pakistan has urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to include provisions for empowering local governments in the upcoming 27th Constitutional Amendment.

According to Geo News, the MQM delegation met the Prime Minister at the Prime Minister’s House to discuss the proposed amendment. The delegation included Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, MQM Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, and senior leader Farooq Sattar.

Sources said the MQM leaders demanded that the 27th Amendment should incorporate constitutional guarantees for devolution of powers to local governments.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reportedly assured the MQM that their proposed draft for local government reforms would be included in the amendment. Party sources added that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had agreed to fully support MQM’s proposed constitutional provisions regarding local governance, which was the party’s top priority in the meeting.

Following the meeting, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori said the Prime Minister had taken the MQM into confidence regarding the 27th Amendment and held detailed consultations on the inclusion of local government reforms.

It is worth noting that the ruling coalition is preparing to present the 27th Constitutional Amendment soon, and sources indicate that the legislation is expected to be passed by both houses of Parliament later this month.