KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan has agreed to an independent audit of five per cent of census blocks in Karachi and Hyderabad to address reservations of various sides on the provisional results of the sixth population census, a top leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) claimed on Sunday.

A six-member delegation of the MQM-P called on the prime minister in Karachi and discussed various issues concerning census results, local government system, development package for the urban areas of Sindh, missing persons, water and sanitation problems in Karachi and establishment of a university in Hyderabad.

Led by MQM-P convener and Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, other members of the delegations were Amir Khan, Kanwar Naveed, Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar, Faisal Subzwari and Law Minister Dr Farogh Nasim.

An MQM-P spokesperson told Dawn that the meeting lasted for around 30 minutes in which party convener Dr Siddiqui informed the PM about the issues being faced by the urban areas of Sindh.

He said that when the issue of an independent audit of five per cent census block was raised, the PM agreed that it must be carried out since the Council of Common Interests as well as the National Assembly had already allowed it.

The MQM-P is one of the coalition partners of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government at the centre and the first clause of the nine-point memorandum of understanding between the two parties talked about implementation of a NA resolution and CCI decision regarding Karachi census.

Legislation for missing persons

After the meeting, Dr Siddiqui told reporters that the meeting agreed on a “five per cent sample census”.

He said it was also decided that the development package for Karachi and Hyderabad and other urban areas of Sindh should be implemented immediately.

He said the meeting also discussed the issue of “our missing workers” and talks were also held on legislation to end enforced disappearance.

Dr Siddiqui said the issues of an empowered local government system for the entire country, displacement of the residents of Pakistan Quarters, Clayton Quarters, Martin Quarters, etc., termination of services of the employees of the Karachi Port Trust and establishment of a public sector university in Hyderabad were also discussed.

He said the PM categorically said he neither wanted displacement of any person nor termination of the already employed people.

In reply to a question, he said the MQM-P would also get the ministry of overseas Pakistanis, labour and manpower and the party had nominated Aminul Haq for it.

Imran Farooq’s death anniversary observed

The MQM-P observed the eighth death anniversary of senior leader Dr Imran Farooq, who was stabbed to death in London on Sept 16, 2010.

A central gathering was held in Karachi while similar congregations were also held in Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, Sanghar, Nawabshah, said a party statement.

A delegation led by senior leader Aminul Haq visited the grave of Dr Farooq, laid a wreath and offered fateha.

Speaking on the occasion, he said Dr Farooq’s death was a big loss and left a void that could not be filled.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2018