Dar takes charge to heal rift with MQM-P

In a move that could set the stage for fresh constitutional bargaining, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Thursday pitched a 28th constitutional amendment with a focus on empowering local governments under Article 140-A. The proposal, which effectively puts local governance back on the front burner, was presented by an MQM-P delegation led by Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui during a high-level meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Karachi. Sources said the party urged the prime minister to move swiftly and take all political stakeholders on board. The prime minister, in response, agreed to hold a follow-up meeting next week to iron out details and keep the ball rolling on the proposed amendment. The meeting also laid bare both cooperation and underlying friction. MQM-P leaders pressed for fast-tracking the Karachi development package, receiving assurances from the premier, while Dr Farooq Sattar raised concerns over the removal of Kamran Tessori as Sindh governor, saying the party had not been taken into confidence. The prime minister termed it a "political decision" but directed that the Sindh governor remain in close coordination with the MQM-P leadership. He also offered prayers for Tessori's mother's health. Senior federal figures, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Rana Sanaullah, Information Minister Atta Tarar and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, were present. In parallel, the federal government has decided to put its political house in order by tasking Ishaq Dar with improving working relations between PML-N and MQM-P. A coordination committee, comprising Rana Sanaullah, Azam Nazeer Tarar and Ahsan Iqbal, will be formed under Dar's leadership to smooth over differences and keep lines of communication open. Sources said the committee will work under the prime minister's directives and is expected to be notified soon. According to PML-N sources, the meeting also stressed the need to bridge gaps between MQM-P and the PPP-led Sindh government to accelerate development in Karachi and across Sindh. The federal side assured it would play a facilitating role to bring both sides on the same page. It was further agreed that constitutional and legal matters would be handled in consultation with MQM-P through the law ministry, while Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi would maintain regular engagement with the party. MQM-P will also be taken into confidence on key federal decisions, including austerity measures and potential energy policies. Federal ministers are expected to visit Karachi soon to review development projects, with Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal maintaining direct contact with MQM-P leadership. A meeting between MQM-P and the proposed coordination committee will be scheduled through mutual consultation. The discussions also touched on the broader regional situation and ongoing development work in urban Sindh, with MQM-P strongly advocating for a genuinely empowered local government system.