The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) announced on Sunday that it will initiate a “grand national dialogue” on the formation of new provinces and will reach out to other political parties for consultations.
MQM-P Chairman Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui made the statement at a press conference in Karachi, emphasizing the need for a broad national conversation on the issue.
He argued that the existing provinces were established without full legal merit and were based primarily on linguistic considerations. He added that, just as districts and divisions serve as administrative units, more provinces are required to accommodate the country’s growing population.
“For the past 40 years we have maintained that Pakistan’s current provinces were not created in accordance with the law and were drawn along linguistic lines,” he said, noting that demographic growth further underscores the need for additional administrative units.
Siddiqui expressed appreciation that other parties are beginning to support MQM‑P’s long‑standing call for more provinces.
He explained that the purpose of the press conference was to convey that, irrespective of individual political agendas, parties should engage in dialogue with one another.
He urged political parties to participate in a national dialogue where their views and concerns could be heard, offering MQM‑P’s leadership to facilitate the process.
“Wherever there is support for new provinces, we will stand with that voice,” he stated, clarifying that MQM‑P’s push for new administrative units extends beyond Sindh to the entire country, although he acknowledged that the case for new provinces is strongest in Sindh.
More to follow