Muttahida Qaumi Movement–Pakistan (MQM-P) holds press conference against Sindh Assembly resolution on February 22, 2026. Photo: Express
KARACHI:
Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan Chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui on Sunday took strong exception to the jailing of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder.
“What kind of justice is it that the one who secured 170 seats is in prison, while the one who won 80 seats is in the government?” the MQM-P chief said, referring to the result of the recent general election.
Terming the resolution against creation of new provinces presented in the Sindh Assembly unconstitutional, unethical and undemocratic, Siddiqui called it an open challenge to the federation of Pakistan.
He came out all guns blazing against PPP, PML-N, Jamaat-e-Islami and also PTI for their alleged anti-Karachi policies.
Addressing a press conference at the party’s Bahadurabad headquarters along with senior leaders Mustafa Kamal, Farooq Sattar, Anees Qaimkhani, Aminul Haque and Faisal Sabzwari, Siddiqui questioned whether any province had the authority to pass a resolution that was against the constitution.
The implementation of Article 140-A is not only about Karachi, it is a matter of Pakistan’s survival.
Dr. Siddiqui said the resolution was not just a piece of paper but an open challenge to the federation of Pakistan. “Does any province have the right to pass a resolution that is against the constitution of Pakistan? If not, under what fear or agenda was this audacity carried out?” he asked.
Criticizing the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), he said the group that ruled Sindh for 17 years is running away from accountability for its worst governance, corruption and incompetence and has therefore resorted to sowing hatred and division.
Dr. Siddiqui stressed that none of MQM’s demands fall outside the ambit of the Constitution and the law. “
He recalled that in 1971 when the country was broken, all provinces accepted Urdu as the national language except Sindh because the motive was different – now revealed.
Demanding a transparent census under military supervision, he said that “in one fell swoop, the false numerical majority in Sindh will be exposed.” Citing evidence, he claimed that Karachi’s population has already crossed 40 million. “Karachi is no longer mini-Pakistan – it is Pakistan itself,” he asserted.
Dr. Siddiqui recalled that Bhutto’s constitution itself allows for new provinces. “If demanding a province is treason, what is creating districts on linguistic grounds—patriotism?” he asked.
He noted that in 2008, Karachi was among the fastest growing cities, but 17 years of PPP rule pushed it into the list of the world’s worst cities. He emphasized that enforcement of Article 140-A is not only Karachi’s issue but a matter of Pakistan’s survival.
Siddiqui, directly addressing the prime minister, said: “implementation of the constitution is your responsibility and the constitution of Pakistan also allows referendums.”
He asked: “What kind of justice is it that the one with 170 seats is in prison while the one with 80 seats is in the government?”
Dr. Siddiqui accused Hafiz Naeemur Rehman of being part of conspiracies against Karachi and said greed for a single seat led to betrayal. He also strongly criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), claiming that it was siding with the PPP and engaging in “anti-constitutional” politics. “Don’t try to scare us with the threat of riots. This resolution is illegal, unethical and undemocratic. Ramadan will pass in prayers, but afterwards there will be a decisive battle in defense of the constitution, the people and Pakistan. If a transparent census is conducted, the demand for a new province will arise from elsewhere from Karachi.”
