MQM-P launches Karachi protest campaign with call for constitutional changes

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Sunday started its announced protest drive over Karachi’s rights with a gathering in Shah Faisal Town, where party leaders pressed for wider constitutional and administrative authority for the city and criticised the Sindh government over civic conditions.

The demonstration was attended by senior MQM-P figures, including members of the National Assembly and Sindh Assembly. Former Karachi mayor and senior party leader Syed Mustafa Kamal was received by workers at the venue before addressing the crowd.

Kamal said Karachi had long been denied what he described as its legitimate share and blamed the Sindh government for the city’s deteriorating municipal situation. He said MQM-P was not opposing the state but seeking constitutional protections and powers for Karachi and its residents.

Addressing supporters, Kamal said, "People in Sindh are facing genocide. This has been happening for 18 years."

"We want our rights according to the Constitution of Pakistan. We want rights for our children," he added.

Demand for a new constitutional framework

Kamal argued that Karachi’s difficulties were rooted in governance rather than a shortage of money. He claimed the Sindh government had received Rs22,000 billion but had not directed those funds to the city. He further said that during his own tenure as mayor, Karachi had entered the list of the world’s 12 developed cities after Rs300 billion was spent on development.

He maintained that the federal government was not holding back Karachi’s funds and instead accused the provincial government of failing to use the resources meant for the city. He said MQM-P wanted a change in the existing system and added that the party’s campaign would remain peaceful while focusing on constitutional rights.

Criticising the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Kamal alleged that it had stood in the way of constitutional changes linked to local government. He also called for another constitutional amendment that would create a framework for establishing new administrative units.

"A city that provides 70 per cent of the country's revenue should at least be provided with resources. If you can bring the 27th Amendment, then we also want the 28th Amendment," he told the rally.

Movement to continue over coming weeks

Kamal described Sunday’s protest as the opening phase of a broader campaign and said larger action would follow. "This is only our net practice; the actual match has not started yet," he said.

Responding to concerns about administrative restructuring, he said the party was not advocating the breakup of Sindh. "We are not talking about breaking Sindh; we are talking about saving Sindh," he said, while comparing the creation of new administrative units to expanding a house by adding rooms or floors rather than dividing it.

He announced that MQM-P would continue protest meetings over the next 30 days and would then issue a final call for a larger movement. He said that at that stage the party would stage a sit-in on highways until its demands were met.

Sindh Assembly lawmaker Shariq Jamal also spoke at the event and accused the PPP of failing to solve Karachi’s civic issues. Urging residents to join peaceful protests, he said, "There is no electricity, no healthcare and no education. Until people come out of their homes, these issues will not be resolved."

Senior MQM-P leader Anees Qaimkhani said the protest drive would carry on and warned that the party’s campaign would become stronger in the weeks ahead.