The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has urged authorities to revisit the 28th Constitution Amendment to safeguard citizens’ rights and strengthen democracy in Pakistan. Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, MQM-P Chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, along with party leaders Mustafa Kamal and Farooq Sattar, highlighted the urgency of constitutional reform amid escalating political tensions.
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Siddiqui emphasized that reviewing the amendment would allow for a decisive resolution, adding, “Pakistan seems prepared, and political parties do not appear to oppose the 28th Amendment with the same intensity.” He stressed that once the amendment is tabled and cleared by lawmakers, citizens should understand that the move is intended for the country’s benefit.
Farooq Sattar focused on local governance and citizen participation, urging a shift from feudal democracy to an inclusive, participatory system. “Every city in Pakistan should have the right to decide its own fate. Empowered local governments will ensure progress, stability, and strengthen Pakistan’s unity, territorial integrity, and development,” he said.
Mustafa Kamal connected constitutional reform to national security, arguing that empowered civil administration alongside the military is essential in the current tense regional scenario. “Local governments need authority to manage their districts; otherwise, internal instability could be exploited by external threats. MQM-P’s demands are therefore both political and a national security necessity,” he noted.
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The call comes after Kamran Tessori, MQM-P’s leader, was removed as governor of Sindh on March 13 and replaced by PML-N’s Nehal Hashmi, a move MQM-P criticized as a “grave mistake” made without consultation. Tessori linked his removal to initiatives like the Gul Plaza issue and the ‘Karachi Bachao Conference’, asserting he would continue advocating for the city’s interests despite political pressures.
The party vowed to determine its future course of action soon, stressing that constitutional reform and strengthened local governance are central to Pakistan’s political stability and democratic progress.