KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has condemned relocation of the headquarters of the Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) from Karachi to Islamabad.
In a statement issued here on Thursday, the party, which is a coalition partner in the PML-N-led federal government, expressed serious concern over reports that more than 500 employees of PPL, along with key business and administrative functions of the state-owned energy company, are being shifted from Karachi to Islamabad.
Terming the reported move a serious blow to Karachi’s economic rights, an MQM-P spokesperson said PPL had maintained its presence in Karachi for around seven decades and questioned the rationale behind shifting its central operations to the federal capital.
He pointed out that a significant portion of PPL’s operations and assets were linked to Sindh and Balochistan, making the proposed relocation difficult to justify.
“If the purpose of the relocation is to facilitate access to federal ministries and other government institutions, shifting an institution based in Karachi is not the only solution,” the spokesperson said.
The MQM-P also raised concerns about the impact of the reported move on employees and their families and asked the PPL management to explain whether the affected employees had been consulted and what support or relocation package would be offered to them.
The party further questioned the financial implications of the move, saying reports suggested the relocation could cost hundreds of millions of rupees.
The MQM-P called on the federal government to take immediate notice of the matter and assess the potential impact of the move on Karachi’s economy, employment opportunities and the welfare of PPL employees.
Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2026
