MQM-P renews demand for urban province in Sindh
Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui on Sunday strongly defended his party's political role and legacy in Karachi, saying that the city's present development is largely the outcome of MQM's past efforts in local governance.
Speaking at a ceremony on Sunday, Siddiqui said MQM was not present in Karachi from the beginning and argued that the party emerged in response to long-standing issues faced by the city's residents.
"If Karachi had no problems, then why did MQM come into existence?" he asked, using a rhetorical comparison, adding, "Were rivers of milk flowing in the city before us, and were the lion and the goat drinking water together from the same stream?"
He claimed that Karachi's development was shaped during MQM's periods in power. "Whatever Karachi is today, and whatever it has, is because of MQM," he claimed.
Siddiqui said MQM had consistently raised issues related to census figures, representation, and resources for urban Sindh, alleging that the party was often labeled anti-state or ethnic for voicing such concerns. He added that MQM had also taken the census issue to court, unlike other political stakeholders. Reiterating longstanding party grievances, he said MQM had emerged in opposition to the quota system and continued to demand fair representation for urban populations.
He claimed that despite securing a significant mandate at different times, MQM was denied the opportunity to form a provincial government in Sindh or appoint a "Muhajir Chief Minister."
Criticising past administrations, Siddiqui questioned the distribution of federal funds, alleging that despite large allocations to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Karachi did not receive its fair share of development spending.
He also argued that after the 18th Constitutional Amendment, local governance in urban areas had been weakened, limiting even basic administrative functions such as opening schools.
Referring to development projects, he cited stalled or delayed initiatives such as mass transit systems, metro bus projects, and water supply schemes, while claiming that MQM governments had previously initiated several urban development plans including IT parks and infrastructure upgrades.
Siddiqui also referred to incidents and allegations involving his party, including major criminal cases, saying that accusations such as the Baldia factory fire, and cases involving prominent figures like Hakim Saeed and Amjad Sabri, were not proven in court.
He further alleged that political victimisation had been carried out against MQM members and their families during various administrations, and that party workers had faced arrests and pressure during different political periods.