Muttahida leader Mustafa Kamal.—Dawn
Muttahida leader Mustafa Kamal.—Dawn

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has demanded the transformation of all 32 divisions of the country into empowered administrative units to bring governance closer to the public.

Addressing a public meeting in Surjani Town on Sunday evening, senior leader and Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal asserted that across all four provinces, the further a city or village is located from its provincial capital, the more backward and deprived it remains.

“Decentralisation and the transfer of power and resources to the grassroots level represent the only viable solution to the nation’s crises,” he added.

“Demanding administrative units in Sindh is not an attempt to divide the province,” he clarified. “It is meant to eliminate the sense of deprivation among the people of Sindh, particularly our Sindhi brothers.”

At Surjani Town rally, senior leader Mustafa Kamal demands immediate arrest of Mir Raza’s killers

Highlighting Karachi’s severe administrative downfall, Mr Kamal pointed out that despite Sindh receiving Rs22 trillion over the last 18 years, citizens are still denied fundamental civic facilities.

He said centralisation had severely harmed Pakistan and its citizens. “Under our proposed reform, Sindh’s seven divisions should become seven separate administrative units so that local populations directly benefit from their own regional resources and mineral royalties,” he said.

He further proposed establishing 10 administrative units in Punjab and eight in Balochistan to ensure citizens across the country receive their basic rights at their doorsteps.

Presenting economic figures, he stated that while the federal government transfers 57.5 per cent of its funds to the provinces, mismanagement prevented these resources from reaching the public. “As a result, Karachi has consistently ranked among the world’s least liveable cities, where innocent children die falling into open sewers, rabies vaccines remain unavailable, and clean drinking water is scarce.”

He also expressed grave concern over the deterioration of industrial zones and the shortage of electricity, gas, and water, noting that flawed policies and poor governance are forcing factories to close and businesses to relocate abroad.

Condemning the murder of Mir Raza Ali, the MQM-P leader extended condolences to the bereaved family and demanded that law enforcement agencies immediately arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

Speaking at the rally, senior leader Anees Kaimkhani issued a stern warning to the PPP-led Sindh government, stating, “You collect the highest taxes from us, yet you destroy us. Now it’s Enough!”

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2026

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