MQM-P calls on PM Shehbaz to strengthen local govt in 27th amendment

Islamabad (Web Desk): During a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Pakistan has called for granting more powers to local governments under the 27th Constitutional Amendment. The 7-member MQM delegation, led by the party's convener Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, met the Prime Minister at the Prime Minister's House.

The delegation included Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori, Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal, Members of the National Assembly Dr. Farooq Sattar, Javed Hanif Khan, Syed Amin-ul-Haq, and Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan. During the meeting, MQM leaders urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to provide local governments with greater powers in the 27th Amendment to ensure better governance at the municipal level.

According to sources, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured the MQM delegation that their proposed local government amendments would be included in the 27th Constitutional Amendment. The MQM leaders also requested that the draft, supported by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), be incorporated into the constitutional amendment.

Following the meeting, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori told the media that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had taken the MQM delegation into confidence regarding the 27th Constitutional Amendment. He added that full consultations had taken place regarding the local government provisions in the amendment.

MQM sources stated that the inclusion of their local government proposal in the 27th Amendment would only be possible with the full support of the PML-N, and that securing this support is the party's top priority. The government coalition has completed preparations to present the 27th Constitutional Amendment, and sources suggest that it will be passed by both houses of Parliament later this month.

If MQM's demand is approved, it could lead to strengthening local governments and improving the delivery of government services in urban areas, benefiting the public.