What happened
An MQM-P delegation led by convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Karachi on 26 March 2026 and pitched a 28th constitutional amendment focused on empowering local governments under Article 140A, according to The Express Tribune and The Nation.
The party asked the prime minister to move swiftly and take all political stakeholders on board. PM Shehbaz described the demands as reasonable and agreed to a follow-up meeting in Islamabad next week, directing that the constitutional amendments for an empowered local government system be redrafted.
The meeting, which lasted about 30 to 40 minutes, also covered Karachi’s development package and the recent change of Sindh governor. Senior federal figures attended, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, alongside Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi.
Why it matters
MQM-P has long argued that devolving powers to local bodies is essential for urban Sindh. Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, Dr Siddiqui said Pakistan was governed under a “feudal-style democracy” and pointed to municipal government in Tehran as one source of Iranian national cohesion, arguing that transferring authority to the local level was now urgent given the economic crisis and talk of lockdowns. The party also recalled that Article 140A was left out of the 27th Amendment and said it had been assured the provision would be included in the next one.
The meeting also exposed friction. MQM-P leader Dr Farooq Sattar raised concerns that the party had not been taken into confidence over the removal of Kamran Tessori as Sindh governor. The prime minister called it a political decision but directed that the Sindh governor remain in close coordination with the MQM-P leadership and address any complaints.
In parallel, the federal government tasked Ishaq Dar with improving working relations between the PML-N and MQM-P. A coordination committee including Rana Sanaullah, Attaullah Tarar and Ahsan Iqbal will be formed under Dar’s leadership and is expected to be notified soon. Federal ministers are to visit Karachi to review development projects.
What is still uncertain
The government has not committed to a timeline for introducing the 28th amendment, and the draft has yet to be shared with other parties, including the PPP-led Sindh government. Whether a consensus can be built, and whether Article 140A is ultimately included, remains open. MQM-P has said it will continue discussions at the follow-up meeting next week.
Sources & reporting notes
This is a synthesis of published material, not eyewitness reporting. Sources were reviewed on 2026-03-26.
- The Express Tribune — Dar to head panel to bridge differences as MQM-P leadership meets PM in KarachiPublished 26 March 2026 · Reports the 28th amendment demand, the governor friction and the coordination committee.
- The Nation — MQM-P urges govt to introduce the 28th AmendmentPublished 26 March 2026 · Reports Dr Siddiqui's press conference remarks on local government powers.
- 24NewsHD — MQM-P delegation calls on PM, demand package for Karachi and HyderabadPublished 26 March 2026 · Reports the delegation's Article 140A and development-package demands.
- Dunya News — PM Shehbaz meets MQM delegation, agrees to revisit local government amendmentsPublished 26 March 2026 · Reports the agreement to redraft amendments and hold a follow-up meeting in Islamabad.
