The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM- P) Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has reiterated his party’s call for constitutional amendments aimed at decentralising authority and funds to local governments.
Addressing a reception in Hyderabad on Sunday, he emphasised that while the Constitution has seen up to 20 amendments, the MQM-P is advocating three specific changes. Dr Siddiqui suggested that the Constitution should extend the same protective and empowering measures to urban, rural, and district- based governments, mirror- ing the safeguards granted tthorities.
He proposed that just as the Constitution outlines departments and organisations under central and provincial jurio federal and provincial ausdictions, it should also enumerate the departments of local governments.
Read Karachi has ‘spoken’ in MQM-P’s favour: Siddiqui
The third proposed amendment pertains to the transfer of funds from provinces to districts, akin to the National Finance Commission (NFC) award granted from the Centre to the provinces. Dr Siddiqui further pressed for a constitutional stipulation that mandates the postponement of national and provincial assembly elections until elected local governments are in place.
Advocating for timely local government elections, Dr Siddiqui proposed a legal framework requiring elections within three months after the expiration of an elected local government’s tenure. He underscored the importance of empowering local communities to decide matters related to water sup- ply and drainage. Dr Siddiqui criticised the Constitution for its perceived failure to protect itself and the people, attributing it to the influence of a ruling mafia exploiting societal weaknesses
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