A high-level delegation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ahead of the federal budget. The meeting focused on political matters, budget proposals, and development-related demands.
The MQM delegation presented its budget suggestions. It also raised the issue of the proposed constitutional amendment related to local governments. The political situation in Sindh and the role of the governor was also discussed.
Sources said the Prime Minister agreed to development packages for Karachi and Hyderabad. A package of Rs20 billion was approved for Karachi. Another Rs5 billion was agreed for Hyderabad.
The Prime Minister also assured MQM that the federal government would take up the party’s proposed constitutional amendment with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). He said efforts would be made to build consensus on the issue.
It was also stated during the meeting that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supports MQM’s proposed amendment in principle. The government expressed willingness to move forward on the draft with consultations.
MQM leaders also raised the issue of the Governor of Sindh. They stated that the governorship is their political right.
Government representatives responded that the matter regarding the Sindh governor has already been settled for the time being. They added that the issue could be reviewed again in the future if needed.
The MQM delegation included Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Dr Farooq Sattar, Mustafa Kamal, Aminul Haque, and Javed Hanif.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was accompanied by senior federal ministers, including Ishaq Dar, Rana Sanaullah, Ahsan Iqbal, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Attaullah Tarar, and other officials.
