MQM-P threatens to quit the ruling coalition over delimitation issue

MQM-P has hardened its stance over the delimitations of local government constituencies in Karachi and Hyderabad

MQM-P has threatened to quit the ruling coalition in Islamabad if its demands on local government delimitations in Karachi and Hyderabad. The local government elections in Karachi and Hyderabad are scheduled for January 15, 2023. The MQM-P has hardened its stance over the delimitations in recent period.  Both the MQM-P and PPP leaders held several round of meetings to sort out the differences over delimitations but failed to solve the issue.  MQM-P is accusing the PPP for not showing seriousness to solve this issue.

MQM-P Rabita Committee meeting, headed by its convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui threatened to quit the ruling coalition government in the Centre and kick off protests if "fresh delimitation" of constituencies for local body polls is not conducted in Karachi and Hyderabad ahead of January 15.

The meeting also deliberated on various steps including protests and conveying its grievances to the federal government.

Addressing a press conference following the Rabita Committee meeting, the MQM-P convener urged Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to fulfill his promises made with the party. “We will be compelled to hold the protest if our grievances are not redressed.

In agreement with the PPP, our key point was fair delimitation of constituencies for the LG polls,” Siddiqui said. Terming the prevailing delimitation of the constituencies as "inappropriate", the MQM-P leader said that pre-poll rigging was evident from it.

In this situation, he said, the party has to decide whether they should go to polls in alliance with the coalition parties or contest independently.

The MQM-P is an ally of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government led by PM Shahbaz Sharif.  MQM-P has seven MNAs in the National Assembly and its support is crucial to maintain the simple majority in the house.  MQM-P is trying to put pressure on the PPP and ruling coalition.

The PM Shahbaz Sharif has tasked the Federal Minister Sardar Ayaz Sadiq led team of several ministers to visit Karachi and meet with MQM-P and PPP leaders. The federal ministers are expecting to visit Karachi today to sort out the differences.

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