Islamabad, Nov 6: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Wednesday demanded that local governments be granted constitutional autonomy through the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, in line with commitments made earlier by the government.
The demand came a day after Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar announced that the draft of the 27th Amendment — which seeks to introduce wide-ranging constitutional changes — would soon be tabled in Parliament.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, party leader Farooq Sattar said that after provincial autonomy had been ensured under the 18th Amendment, “the next step naturally is local autonomy.” He stressed that empowering local governments was a constitutional necessity to ensure effective governance and representation at the grassroots level.
“The Constitution is a sacred document, but not a divine scripture; it is a living document,” Farooq Sattar said.
He added that it should not bring worry or surprise if amendments were needed in it.https://t.co/usPUEQd5FQ
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Sattar recalled that the MQM-P had reached an understanding with the PML-N during the 2024 coalition talks to grant local governments powers drawn directly from the federation rather than the provinces. “We also made the same demand during the 26th Amendment process,” he said, lamenting that the commitment was not fulfilled. “Now, its time has come — the 27th Amendment must include our package for local autonomy.”
The MQM-P leader further argued that Article 140A of the Constitution, which requires provinces to establish local governments, should be amended to clarify the legislative authority of local bodies. “The Constitution is a sacred but living document,” Sattar said. “Amendments should not cause concern if they serve national stability and meet the needs of the time.”
Echoing his remarks, Siddiqui said local governments should be recognised as a “third tier of governance” with guaranteed elections and tenures for mayors and nazims. He proposed that the Constitution — not the executive — should ensure their continuity, monitored by the Supreme Court.
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Siddiqui also supported discussions on aligning Article 243, relating to the command of the armed forces, with modern defence and national unity requirements.
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