In Islamabad, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has linked its support for the federal budget to the restoration of the Sindh governorship and amendments to Article 140-A of the Constitution. Party leaders said they will not decide in favor of the budget until their demands are clearly addressed, adding a new dimension to ongoing political negotiations.
Senior MQM leader Farooq Sattar said that Article 140-A is an important constitutional matter linked to public interest and requires a clear response from the government. He questioned why the party was removed from the Sindh governorship and said the reasons should be explained publicly.
Farooq Sattar further demanded that MQM be given back the governorship of Sindh. He stated that the former governor had worked in the IT sector and helped thousands of young people become self-sufficient, earning significant incomes, yet was still removed from office.
He added that if the governorship is not restored, the decision on the budget vote will be made by the party leadership. According to him, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui will ultimately decide whether MQM supports the federal budget or not.
On the other hand, the Governor of Sindh declined to comment on the matter and described his meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly as routine. Sources said recent meetings focused on the federal budget, concerns of coalition partners, and political demands, while the issue of MQM budget vote conditions has become a key point in political discussions.