KARACHI: The ruling Pakistan Peoples Party has strongly reacted to the recent statements of Muttahida Qaumi MovementPakistan leaders regarding new provinces, saying those advocating for the division of Sindh will only face politicalisolation and despair.
In a statement, senior PPP leader and Local Government Minister Nasir Shah criticised MQM-P leaders Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Mustafa Kamal, saying the country was struggling to manage four administrative units, and they were busy dreaming of new provinces.
Mr Shah dismissed allegations of Sindh’s funds being diverted to Dubai, saying those making allegations should audit their federal min-istries first.
‘Those touring Islamabad for federal ministries can’t be true advocates of Sindh,’ he said, referring to Mr Kamal and Dr Siddiqui who both are federal ministers.
He said the MQM-P leaders were playing the ‘province card’ to hide their internal party conflicts.
He advised MQM to focus on legislation and studying the Constitution. ‘Every citizen living in Sindh is an heir to this land; no land is abandoned or murroka (abandoned property),’ he said.
MQM-P public meeting TheMuttahidaQaumiMovementPakistan (MQM-P) has officially launched a decisive struggle to incorporate a clear mechanism in the Constitution for the establishment of new provinces.
Addressing a public meeting held in Shah Faisal Town on Sunday evening, senior leader and Federal Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal declared that his party’s strugglewas entirely within the framework of the Constitution and law.
Sunday’s rally once again exposed the internal rifts within the MQM-P as party chairman Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui held a separate rally in Mirpurkhas, while Mr Kamal’s loyalists gathered at Eidgah Ground to protest what theycalled non-availability of basic civic amenities and to demand the devolution of local government powers to the grassroots level.
Waving a copy of the Constitution, Mr Kamal said: ‘We need to amend this Constitution to bring powers and resources to the doorstep of common people. The current systemhas failed; a system with one federation and four provinces is creating disillusionment.
He emphasised the need to change the system while staying within the Constitution, saying Pakistan’s survival and security depend on it.
‘This gathering represents the descendants of those who created Pakistan, demanding rights for our future generations through constitutional means,’ said Mr Kamal.
Reassuring the public, he said that creating new provinces on administrative grounds would not divide Sindh or Pakistan. ‘It connects and strengthens the federation. Adding floors to a house when a family grows does not break the home; it keeps the family together.
He said that the MQM-P had evolved beyond a single demographic party to become the ‘voice for all oppressed citizens, including Sindhis, Mohajirs, Pakhtuns, Balochs, Punjabis and Seraikis.
‘Rulers will no longer be able to govern by dividing people alongethnic lines,’ he said.
Talking about flawed governance and mismanagement of public funds,he said overthelast18years, the Sindh government received Rs22 trillion from the federal government. However, despite receiving such a huge amount, Karachi and the rest of Sindh remained in ruins, he said.
‘The federal government does not withhold our funds; the issue lies with the stubbornness of provincial rulers. Four chief ministers [of as many provinces] sit on all the financial resources and refuse to devolve them to the local level,’ he said.
He said Karachi generates 70 per cent of the national revenue. ‘If granted proper administrative and financial powers, Karachi can easily increase its contribution from Rs4,000 billion to Rs40,000 billion, single-handedly stabilising Pakistan’s economy,’ he said.
Senior leaders Anis Kaimkhani, Furgan Atayyab, MNA Aasia Ishaq and others also addressed the rally.