ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui on Wednesday called for the full implementation of Article 140-A of the Constitution, stressing that devolution of powers to the grassroots was essential for safeguarding the democratic and economic rights of citizens.
Speaking in the National Assembly during the debate on the 27th Constitutional Amendment, the MQM-Pakistan leader said the proposed amendment could serve as a source of justice, stability, unity, and national defense — but warned that democracy’s benefits had yet to reach the common people.
“The goal of Pakistan’s prosperity must not be limited to the rulers; it must reflect the well-being of all 250 million Pakistanis,” Dr. Siddiqui said.
He added that MQM-P supported the amendment in good faith, viewing it as a step toward strengthening the country’s defense, stability, security, and democratic institutions. However, he cautioned that local governance had often been neglected whenever democracy consolidated at the national level, leaving citizens without real participation in decision-making.
“Article 140-A was introduced precisely to enable devolution so that people’s fundamental rights and basic needs could be met,” he said.
Clarifying his party’s position, Dr. Siddiqui stated that MQM-P had made no personal or political demands, only urging the government to act on the Supreme Court’s ruling on Article 140-A. “Our call to make ‘140-A Plus’ part of the Constitution is not for ourselves, but for the people,” he emphasised.
He urged the government to ensure effective devolution of powers, the full enforcement of Article 140-A, and genuine public participation in governance so that true democracy could take root across the country.
