PM Shehbaz meets MQM-P delegation, discusses 27th Constitutional Amendment Azad News HD
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Meets MQM-P Delegation to Discuss 27th Constitutional Amendment — A Pivotal Moment in Pakistan’s Evolving Political Landscape
In a meeting that could have lasting implications for Pakistan’s political architecture and provincial relations, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met with a seven-member delegation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), led by Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, to deliberate upon the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment. The meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), was described by official sources as “constructive, detailed, and forward-looking,” signaling both the government’s determination to build political consensus and the MQM-P’s strategic role as a key coalition partner in the federal setup.
This gathering was not merely a political courtesy call — it was a critical engagement between the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and one of its most influential urban allies from Sindh. With constitutional amendments carrying the potential to redefine governance structures, power distribution, and the federation’s functioning, the discussion between the Prime Minister and MQM-P leadership assumes profound national significance.
The Context Behind the Meeting
The 27th Constitutional Amendment — though not yet tabled formally before Parliament — has become one of the most talked-about legislative proposals in recent months. Preliminary reports suggest that the amendment seeks to adjust certain powers between the federation and the provinces, possibly revisiting aspects of the 18th Amendment of 2010, which had devolved significant administrative and financial authority to provincial governments.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has consistently emphasized political stability through dialogue, initiated the meeting to consult coalition partners before finalizing any legislative draft. According to the Prime Minister’s Office statement, the MQM-P delegation was given a comprehensive briefing on the intent, scope, and expected impact of the proposed amendment, while party representatives shared their reservations and recommendations.
Who Attended the Meeting
The MQM-P delegation was led by Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, the party’s Convener, and included senior figures such as Dr Farooq Sattar, Mustafa Kamal, Nasreen Jalil, Javed Hanif, Aminul Haque, and Abdul Waseem.
On the government’s side, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Attaullah Tarar were also present. The inclusion of top cabinet members highlighted the seriousness with which the government approached the dialogue — a recognition that MQM-P’s cooperation is essential for both legislative success and broader political harmony.
The 27th Amendment: What’s at Stake
While the government has not released the full draft of the 27th Amendment, sources within parliamentary committees suggest that it may address several key themes:
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Revisiting Provincial Autonomy:
Some clauses of the 18th Amendment devolved wide-ranging powers to the provinces. While this was hailed as a step toward federal balance, critics argue that it led to administrative fragmentation and inefficiencies. The proposed amendment reportedly aims to “streamline governance” by ensuring more uniformity in education, health, and national security coordination. -
Strengthening Local Governments:
MQM-P, a party with deep roots in urban Sindh, has long demanded constitutional protection for local governments. The delegation reportedly pressed the Prime Minister to include binding clauses that prevent provincial governments from undermining local bodies, ensuring direct fiscal transfers to municipal administrations in cities like Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur. -
Fiscal Federalism and Revenue Sharing:
Another expected feature of the amendment involves revisiting the National Finance Commission (NFC) formula. MQM-P’s position emphasizes equitable distribution of resources not just between provinces but also within provinces, particularly for metropolitan centers that generate substantial revenue yet face chronic infrastructure neglect. -
Administrative Reforms:
The amendment may also seek to modernize bureaucratic coordination between federal and provincial departments, improving service delivery and reducing duplication of roles.
The MQM-P’s Perspective
The MQM-P delegation’s engagement reflected both caution and collaboration. Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui reiterated his party’s support for constitutional reform, provided that it strengthens local democracy and addresses urban Sindh’s grievances. He stressed that any constitutional change must be inclusive, transparent, and consensus-driven rather than politically motivated.
In his remarks, Dr Siddiqui reportedly reminded the Prime Minister of MQM-P’s long-standing struggle for empowered local governance. “The federation is only as strong as its cities,” he was quoted as saying, emphasizing that Karachi’s neglect undermines national economic stability. He urged the Prime Minister to ensure that the 27th Amendment explicitly safeguards municipal autonomy, introducing mechanisms that guarantee timely elections and protect local governments from arbitrary dissolution.
The MQM-P also proposed the creation of a Permanent Council for Urban Policy, an intergovernmental body that could oversee development projects in large cities and mediate between provincial and federal authorities.
The Prime Minister’s Stance
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, known for his administrative pragmatism and focus on consensus-building, acknowledged the MQM-P’s concerns and assured the delegation of meaningful inclusion in the amendment process. He stated that the government’s objective was not to roll back provincial autonomy, but to improve coordination and accountability mechanisms across different tiers of governance.
“Pakistan’s progress depends on the strength of its federation, and the federation can only thrive when provinces and cities are empowered in harmony,” the Prime Minister was quoted as saying. He underscored that the proposed amendment would be subject to parliamentary debate and scrutiny, ensuring that all political forces have a say before it is enacted.
Shehbaz Sharif further emphasized that economic recovery and political stability go hand in hand. He pointed out that reforms in governance structures are essential to restore investor confidence, enhance service delivery, and promote equitable development across all provinces.
A Delicate Balancing Act
For Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the challenge lies in balancing competing political expectations. On one hand, the PML-N’s traditional base in Punjab may favor stronger federal coordination to streamline policy implementation. On the other hand, provincial parties such as the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and MQM-P guard provincial and local autonomy as non-negotiable achievements of post-2008 constitutional reforms.
The 27th Amendment debate, therefore, has the potential to reopen long-settled — yet still sensitive — discussions about the distribution of power in Pakistan’s federal system. The Prime Minister’s meeting with MQM-P reflects his strategic approach to build alliances before facing parliamentary scrutiny, where constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority.
The Historical Backdrop: From the 18th to the 27th Amendment
To fully grasp the implications of the current debate, one must revisit the 18th Amendment, passed in 2010 under the PPP-led government. That landmark reform transferred numerous subjects — including health, education, and culture — from the federal list to provincial governments, marking a major milestone in Pakistan’s federal evolution.
While the 18th Amendment was celebrated as a victory for democracy and decentralization, critics — particularly within federal ministries — argue that it created administrative fragmentation. Provinces received powers but, in many cases, lacked the capacity to utilize them efficiently, leading to disparities in policy outcomes.
Proponents of a new amendment contend that some degree of re-centralization may be necessary to ensure national policy coherence, especially in sectors like education standards, environmental regulation, and disaster management. However, opponents fear that any such move would dilute the spirit of provincial autonomy.
The MQM-P’s participation in the debate, therefore, carries enormous weight. As a party that operates primarily in Sindh’s urban belt, it serves as a bridge between provincial interests and national policymaking.
Karachi’s Central Role
Much of the MQM-P’s political agenda revolves around Karachi, Pakistan’s economic hub, which contributes over 60% of the national revenue yet struggles with chronic urban challenges — from water shortages and waste mismanagement to transportation chaos and unplanned expansion.
The party’s leadership reportedly used the meeting to highlight how weak local governance structures have crippled Karachi’s administration. They argued that unless the 27th Amendment institutionalizes local government autonomy, the city will remain mired in dysfunction.
The Prime Minister, in response, reaffirmed his commitment to Karachi’s development agenda, citing ongoing federal-funded projects such as the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR), Green Line Bus Service, and the Greater Karachi Water Supply Scheme (K-IV). He assured the MQM-P that urban reform would remain a central pillar of his government’s legislative agenda.
Coalition Dynamics and Parliamentary Strategy
The PML-N government depends on a fragile coalition that includes the PPP, MQM-P, JUI-F, and several smaller parties. Securing MQM-P’s support is not just important numerically but also symbolically — it reflects unity among diverse political actors at a time when Pakistan faces economic pressure, security challenges, and institutional polarization.
The Prime Minister’s political advisors recognize that building consensus before tabling the 27th Amendment is crucial to avoid parliamentary gridlock. This is why Shehbaz Sharif has reportedly planned a series of consultations with other key parties, including the PPP, PTI dissidents, and nationalist representatives from Balochistan.
Reactions and Political Interpretations
Political analysts have offered mixed interpretations of the meeting. Some view it as a genuine effort toward cooperative federalism, while others suspect it could be an attempt to reshape the power matrix in favor of the federal government.
Independent analyst Dr. Hassan Askari Rizvi commented that “any constitutional reform in Pakistan must be approached with extreme caution — not as a tool of political convenience, but as a response to structural necessity.”
Similarly, Karachi-based analyst Zia Ur Rehman noted that the MQM-P’s engagement reflects a “pragmatic recalibration” of its politics. After years of internal divisions and fluctuating alliances, the party now seems focused on policy-oriented bargaining rather than populist agitation.
The Path Forward
Following the meeting, both sides agreed to form a joint working group tasked with drafting specific proposals and reviewing constitutional implications. The group will reportedly include legal experts, economists, and governance specialists nominated by both the government and MQM-P.
The Prime Minister directed the Law Ministry to prepare a detailed brief for coalition partners, ensuring transparency and inclusivity in the amendment process.
The MQM-P, meanwhile, announced that it would consult its Rabita Committee and legal advisors before offering formal endorsement, signaling a cautious but cooperative approach.
Symbolism Beyond Legislation
Beyond the technicalities of constitutional reform, the meeting carried powerful symbolic resonance. It projected a message of dialogue over discord, suggesting that Pakistan’s political class, despite its rivalries, remains capable of institutional engagement.
For Shehbaz Sharif, the meeting underscored his long-standing belief in “collaborative governance” — a model that prioritizes coalition dialogue over confrontation. For MQM-P, it reaffirmed its relevance as a kingmaker in parliamentary politics, leveraging its strategic position to secure gains for urban Sindh.
Conclusion: Toward a Cooperative Federal Future
The Thursday meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and MQM-P Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui may well be remembered as a defining moment in Pakistan’s constitutional evolution.
While the 27th Amendment remains under discussion, its trajectory will likely determine how Pakistan’s federation navigates the delicate balance between central authority, provincial autonomy, and local empowerment. The engagement between the government and MQM-P demonstrates that meaningful reform — if pursued transparently and inclusively — can strengthen rather than weaken the federation.
As the country stands at a crossroads of political reform and economic revival, the spirit of consensus emerging from Islamabad offers a glimmer of hope. Whether this dialogue transforms into durable policy will depend on the maturity of Pakistan’s leadership, the resilience of its institutions, and the collective will to prioritize national coherence over partisan interest.
For now, one thing is clear: the conversation on Pakistan’s constitutional future has begun — and it carries the potential to redefine governance, restore urban dignity, and rekindle faith in a truly federal Pakistan.
