Kamal seeks support for call to amend constitution for local autonomy

Senior Deputy Convener Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) Mustafa Kamal has urged those opposing the idea of a separate province to lend support to the MQM-P's proposed constitutional amendments.

Kamal emphasised the need for autonomy at both the district and provincial levels and outlined three constitutional amendments put forth by the MQM-P to address pertinent issues. 

Speaking to the media on Friday, Kamal stressed the MQM-P's commitment to devolving powers from the Chief Minister's House to the grassroots level. He expressed dissatisfaction with the current distribution of powers post the 18th Amendment, asserting that provincial autonomy slogans alone do not strengthen Pakistan.

Critiquing the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Kamal claimed that the PPP had not contributed to the city's improvement. He accused the PPP of awaiting an announcement of boycotting the general elections from the London group, while the MQM-Pakistan was actively participating in elections from 22 constituencies in Karachi, highlighting the party's increased strength and organisation.

Kamal further pointed out the fiscal discrepancy in the NFC award, stating that the province received 1400 billion annually, but these funds did not reach the lower levels. He asserted that unless there was a local government in the country, general elections should not be held.

At a press briefing a week ago, Kamal had said the MQM-P had filed objections to the delimitations of 13 constituencies. He added that the MQM-P believed that Provincial Election Commissioner Sindh Aijaz Anwer Chohan was an active member of the Pakistan Peoples Party. The PPP rigged the national census in Sindh, and now, the same plan was going to be implemented by the election commission, Kamal said, adding that Chohan accepted all objections to the delimitations of constituencies raised by the PPP but declined the objections raised by the MQM-P.