Muttahida Qaumi Movement–Pakistan (MQM-P) holds a press conference against Sindh Assembly resolution on February 22, 2026. Photo: Express
KARACHI:
Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan Chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui on Sunday took a strong exception to the imprisonment of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder.
“What kind of justice is it that the one who secured 170 seats is in jail, while the one who won 80 seats is in government?” the MQM-P chief said referring to the outcome of the last general elections.
Siddiqui termed the resolution against creation of new provinces presented in the Sindh Assembly unconstitutional, unethical and undemocratic, calling it an open challenge to the federation of Pakistan.
He came out all guns blazing against the 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 alongside 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 contradicted the Constitution.
The implementation of Article 140-A is not just about Karachi, it is a question 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 contradicts the Constitution of Pakistan? If not, then under what fear or agenda was this audacity carried out?” he asked.
Criticizing the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), he said the group ruling Sindh for 17 years is fleeing 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 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 exposed.
He demanded a transparent census under military supervision, saying that “in one stroke, the fake numerical majority in Sindh will be exposed.” Citing evidence, he claimed Karachi’s population has already crossed 40 million. “Karachi is no longer mini-Pakistan-it is Pakistan itself,” he asserted.
Dr Siddiqui reminded that Bhutto’s Constitution itself allows for new provinces. “If demanding a province is treason, then 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 just Karachi’s issue but a matter of Pakistan’s survival.
Siddiqui, directly addressing the Prime Minister, said: “implementing the Constitution is your responsibility, and the Constitution of Pakistan also permits referendums.”
He questioned: “What kind of justice is this, that the one with 170 seats is in jail while the one with 80 seats is in government?”
Dr Siddiqui accused Hafiz Naeemur Rehman of being part of conspiracies against Karachi, saying greed for a single seat led to betrayal. He also strongly criticized Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), alleging that it sided with the PPP and joined in “anti-Constitutional” politics. “Do not try to frighten 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 struggle 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-not from Karachi.”
