KARACHI: Criticising the Sindh government over what it called poor governance across the province, especially in the urban areas, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) struck a conciliatory tone, urging the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party to come to the table for talks aimed at building a stronger and more effective local government (LG) system.

Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, Leader of the Opposition in the Sindh Assembly Ali Khurshidi said that despite differences and strong reservations over the performance of the PPP government in Sindh, the MQM-P still invited the ruling party to devise a collective strategy with political stakeholders in the province to make the LG system and its law more effective.

“We have serious reservations about your [PPP] style of governance, but let’s move forward nonetheless as we believe that, in the broader public interest, there must be a point where we draw a line and move ahead,” Mr Khurshidi said.”So let’s sit together and discuss Article 140-A of the Constitution and work to strengthen the LG system under it. Constitutional amendments can come later, but for now, Sindh’s existing laws can still be improved, and the system can be made more empowered.”

Earlier, he sharply criticised “governance failures” in Karachi, questioning the effectiveness of democracy when its benefits fail to reach the public, while accusing the PPP government of ignoring key civic issues and opposition voices.

Ali Khurshidi calls for collective strategy to improve LG framework under Article 140-A; slams PTI, JI for ‘political compromise’ over Karachi

He said Karachi residents were increasingly frustrated, asking what they should do with such a democracy when its benefits do not reach them.

“If our words offend anyone, so be it,” Mr Khurshidi added, while highlighting rising incidents of heavy vehicle accidents — commonly referred to as dumper truck-related accidents. He alleged that authorities attempted to give the issue an ethnic angle instead of addressing it seriously.

He said his party had consistently supported the Sindh government in tackling the issue while offering solutions rather than politicising it, but questioned the government’s silence as such incidents continued to occur daily.

“On the other hand, both the provincial and federal governments are misleading people on the K-IV project. The system has collapsed and whenever we speak up, we are accused of doing politics,” he added.

The MQM-P leader also accused rival parties, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Jamaat-i-Islami, of making “political compromises” over Karachi, questioned the progress of major projects, and raised concerns about repeated fire incidents at Gul Plaza.

He also criticised the lack of preparedness during the rains on Eid, claiming many residents were unable to offer Eid prayers at designated grounds due to poor arrangements.

Raising concerns about governance and transparency, Mr Khurshidi alleged that development funds were distributed among government lawmakers, while opposition members were ignored, and challenged the authorities to convene a provincial assembly session to hold a proper pre-budget debate.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2026