MQM-P urges PM Shehbaz to empower local governments in 27th amendment

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) has called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to include provisions in the proposed 27th constitutional amendment that would grant greater powers to local governments.

A seven-member MQM-P delegation, led by party convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, met the Prime Minister at the Prime Minister’s House to discuss the proposed amendment in detail. The delegation included Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori, Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal, and National Assembly members Dr Farooq Sattar, Javed Hanif Khan, Syed Aminul Haque, and Khawaja Izharul Hassan.

The meeting was attended by several senior government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, and Prime Minister’s Advisor Rana Sanaullah.

According to sources, the MQM-P delegation urged the Prime Minister to ensure that the amendment includes clauses that strengthen local governments, allowing urban issues to be addressed effectively at the local level.

Separately, a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) delegation also met Prime Minister Sharif regarding the 27th amendment before departing for Karachi. Sources said the meeting involved detailed consultations on the proposed clauses and the party’s stance on the amendment. The government side included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Sanaullah, and Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan.

After the meeting, the PPP delegation flew to Karachi from Nur Air Base on a special flight. The party has called an important Central Executive Council (CEC) meeting in Karachi at 7pm today to discuss the matter further.