During a visit to Dallas, Texas, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Chairman and Federal Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui emphasized the necessity of creating new provinces in Pakistan to accommodate the country’s expanding population. He highlighted the need for a robust third tier of government to ensure democratic benefits reach ordinary citizens effectively.
In an exclusive interview, Siddiqui elaborated on the demand for new provinces, the political and administrative status of Karachi, the role of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Sindh, the MQM-P’s electoral base, internal party divisions, and the political landscape following Altaf Hussain’s departure. He dismissed claims that the debate over new provinces was mere political rhetoric, comparing it to the regular creation of new districts and divisions in response to population growth. Siddiqui argued that alongside federal and provincial governments, Pakistan requires a strong local government tier to empower communities with meaningful control over their affairs.
Criticizing the current provincial setup, Siddiqui stated that administrative boundaries drawn along linguistic lines have deepened social and political polarization. Regarding Karachi, he recalled its historical role as Pakistan’s federal capital and questioned the constitutional process that integrated it into Sindh. He insisted that such matters should be resolved democratically and constitutionally with public involvement.
Addressing the PPP’s influence, Siddiqui rejected the notion that it monopolizes democracy or owns Sindh. He described Sindh’s political system as feudal and underscored Karachi’s significance as the economic powerhouse of both the province and the country. “Karachi runs, and the whole country is sustained. A conspiracy against Karachi is, in fact, a conspiracy against Pakistan,” he asserted.
When questioned about the MQM’s diminished political strength following multiple splits, Siddiqui refuted the idea that the party had weakened. He explained that political movements do not necessarily fragment when leaders separate, provided the core workers and voters remain united. He estimated that 80 to 90 percent of MQM workers continue to support the party and suggested that those who left under duress could return once coercion ends.
Regarding the 2018 general elections, Siddiqui alleged that the MQM was deprived of several seats due to electoral manipulation. On whether the “minus-Altaf Hussain” approach had succeeded, he avoided directly mentioning Hussain, instead portraying the MQM as an ideological movement rather than a family-led political entity. “This was never a political dynasty. It was an ideological party. It belongs to the workers, and the workers are running it,” he stated.
He also strongly denied accusations that recent MQM-P electoral victories were the result of Form 47 manipulation, emphasizing the party’s four-decade-long electoral success in Karachi. Siddiqui urged those contesting the results to pursue legal channels, affirming, “Our identity is not Form 47. Our identity is 1947.”
The interview took a more intense tone when discussing internal party divisions, separation from Altaf Hussain, and the MQM’s current electoral status. Siddiqui defended the MQM-P’s political standing, asserting that despite years of internal challenges and political pressure, the party’s support base remains solid.
