The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Sunday called for a national dialogue on the creation of new provinces and administrative units in the country.

Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, MQM-P leaders Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Mustafa Kamal said population growth and administrative challenges had made the creation of new provinces necessary.

Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said there is no logic in opposition to new provinces, as the Constitution itself provides a legal framework for doing so.

“If creating a province was treason, then how is it mentioned in the Constitution?” he asked.

The MQM-P leader said political parties should move beyond their political interests and initiate a national dialogue on the creation of new provinces.

“We support every voice raised for provinces,” Siddiqui said, adding that his party was ready to engage with other political parties on the issue.

He argued that the existing provinces were not created entirely in accordance with legal requirements and were largely formed on linguistic grounds.

Siddiqui said population growth had necessitated the need for new administrative units, particularly in Sindh.

“Provinces should be created according to population, and Sindh needs them the most,” he said.

He maintained that devolving powers to the people at the grassroots level was the essence of democracy, adding that the creation of new administrative units could help improve governance and empower citizens.

Siddiqui said the MQM-P would approach the apex court over the matter.

“We have always brought middle-class people into the assemblies,” he said, adding that his party would continue to advocate greater political representation and decentralisation.

Meanwhile, MQM-P leader and Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said the creation of new administrative units in Sindh would also benefit farmers by giving them greater freedom and access to local governance.

Kamal said those running the country had realised that the only viable solution to effectively managing the country was the creation of administrative units.

He criticised the state of governance in Sindh, particularly in Karachi, saying the city had been turned into one of the worst places for people to live.

Kamal claimed that Sindh had received around Rs22 trillion over the past 17 years, but the province continued to face serious governance and social challenges.

The MQM-P leaders reiterated that political parties should set aside their political interests and engage in dialogue over the creation of new provinces and administrative units to improve governance and ensure that powers reach the people.