MQM-P terms Sindh Assembly resolution against Karachi province unconstitutional

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan (MQM-P) on Sunday termed a resolution passed by the Sindh Assembly against the creation of a Karachi province “unconstitutional”, arguing that Article 239 of the 1973 Constitution allows the formation of new provinces.

The remarks came a day after the provincial assembly adopted a resolution rejecting any move to carve out Karachi as a separate province, declaring the metropolis an integral part of Sindh.

Addressing a joint press conference, MQM-P Chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui — flanked by Farooq Sattar, Mustafa Kamal and Senator Faisal Subzwari — said a resolution “against the Constitution of Pakistan” had been passed by the Sindh Assembly.

Siddiqui said Article 48(6) of the Constitution allows for a referendum and maintained that the demand for a new province falls within the constitutional framework. Criticising the provincial government, he said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) passed the resolution “under the shadow of some fear”.

Without naming Sindh directly, he said a province was acting as if it were above the Constitution and alleged that PPP, with what he termed an “artificial majority” following the 2024 general elections, had taken control of the province. He added that the ruling party was not ready to devolve powers even to its own mayor in Karachi.

Siddiqui said dialogue was the only solution and emphasised that his party sought peaceful political engagement. He added that Sindh, being the most multilingual province, had witnessed injustice in urban areas for the past two decades.

Separately, speaking on the Geo News programme “Naya Pakistan”, Mustafa Kamal said the Constitution allows the federation to assume control of a city and reiterated MQM-P’s demand for declaring Karachi a federal territory, citing governance concerns. He said the party’s support for the 18th Constitutional Amendment was aimed at transferring powers to municipal representatives, adding that PPP was not ready to devolve authority to districts.

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A day earlier, the Sindh Assembly passed a resolution moved by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah condemning what he termed divisive statements about breaking up Sindh or separating Karachi. The resolution was supported by PTI and Jamaat-e-Islami members, while MQM-P rejected it.

Addressing the House, Murad Shah said Sindh’s unity and territorial integrity were constitutionally protected and non-negotiable. Citing Article 239, he said any alteration of provincial boundaries requires the consent of not less than two-thirds of the concerned provincial assembly.

The resolution reaffirmed that Karachi would remain an integral part of Sindh and called on political stakeholders to refrain from divisive rhetoric, warning that such moves could harm national cohesion.