The federal government has appointed Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui as a member of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Read More: Khalid Maqbool reiterates MQM–P’s post-2016 stance
The announcement said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved an expansion of the committee’s membership, adding the education minister to its ranks. The ECC is one of the country’s key economic decision-making bodies responsible for addressing urgent financial and policy matters.
اسلام آباد، 20 مئی 2026ء
وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف سے وزیر برائے وفاقی تعلیم و کنوینر ایم کیو ایم خالد مقبول صدیقی کی قیادت میں متحدہ قومی موومنٹ کے وفد کی ملاقات ہوئی. وفد میں ایم کیو ایم کے رہنما ڈاکٹر فاروق ستار، ارکان قومی اسمبلی سید امین الحق اور جاوید حنیف شامل تھے. ملاقات… pic.twitter.com/3uVpNv7Ghe
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) May 20, 2026
In his remarks, the prime minister expressed hope that Siddiqui would play an active role in supporting economic planning and contribute to national development efforts. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to working closely with coalition partners on economic reforms and public welfare initiatives.
The development follows a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and an MQM-P delegation led by Siddiqui earlier this week. During the meeting, the delegation presented proposals related to the upcoming federal budget and discussed development projects in Sindh, particularly in Karachi.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the discussions also covered the broader political situation in the country and coordination between the federal government and its coalition partners. The MQM-P has been described as an important ally in the governing setup, with continued support for key legislative and policy initiatives.
The ECC plays a central role in Pakistan’s economic governance, reviewing urgent issues related to fiscal policy, trade, inflation, credit regulation and development planning. It also coordinates between different ministries to ensure consistency in economic decision-making.
In 2025, the government restructured the ECC, assigning its chairmanship to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, marking a shift in how the committee operates within the federal cabinet framework.
Read More: MQM–P pays tribute to soldiers defending Pakistan’s borders
Officials say the latest inclusion reflects efforts to broaden representation in economic decision-making as the government prepares for upcoming budgetary and policy challenges.