Budget tiff between PPP, MQM-P intensifies

MQM-P threatens to expand protest, PPP accuses it of ‘conspiring to ruin Karachi’s peace’

KARACHI: The Sindh government and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) engaged in a war of words over the provincial budget on Saturday, as the latter announced wider protests.

After the Sindh government approved the provincial budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year, MQM-P, which had expressed reservations over it, announced Karachi-wide protests that would later be expanded across Sindh.

Speaking to the media outside the Sindh Assembly, where MQM-P has been staging a sit-in, MPA Kanwar Naveed Jameel claimed his party had apprised the provincial government of its concerns - mainly revolving around 'discrimination' against urban areas, especially Karachi. "After hearing their speeches, we reached the conclusion that our recommendations have failed to move this insensitive government."

According to Jameel, the MQM-P had earlier received assurances from provincial ministers that its reservations had been communicated to Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and was asked to form a committee on the matter. "But today (Saturday), they approved the budget.”

Rejecting the budget, Jameel announced the demonstrations would now be expanded, first across Karachi and later to other cities of Sindh.

He pointed out that no new schemes for improving and increasing healthcare facilities in Karachi were introduced in the new budget. Accusing the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of 'destroying' the metropolis, Jameel said Pakistan's economy and defence depended on Karachi. "Destroying its economy is akin to destroying the country's economy."

'Conspiring to ruin peace'

In response to MQM-P's allegations, Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab accused the party of "conspiring to ruin Karachi's peace under the guise of protests."

"But the citizens are well aware of their tactics as they have always complicated Karachi's issues in this manner," he remarked, adding they  wouldn't have had to protest had they read the budget thoroughly in the first place. “It would be better if they questioned their allies in the Centre on what they have done for Karachi.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 28^th, 2020.