KARACHI (Dunya News) - MQM leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has called for the powers devolved to the provinces under the 18th Amendment to be transferred to the grassroots level, saying democratic benefits should reach people directly.
Addressing participants at an MQM rally in here on Sunday, Siddiqui said administrative units should be created on administrative rather than linguistic grounds. He argued that greater powers should be handed over to the people so they can directly benefit from democracy.
Siddiqui said Karachi Central had made the entire city the “centre of Pakistan” and described the political activity as part of a democratic journey aimed at achieving the objectives for which Pakistan was created.
Referring to the party's recent political activities, he said women in New Karachi had recently expressed their views and that Orangi Town would be the next venue for a rally, after which the direction of the campaign would change.
The MQM leader said his party viewed its activities as a form of service and worship rather than conventional politics, adding that the rally had been organised to pursue the objectives associated with the creation of Pakistan.
Siddiqui also raised concerns about the state of justice, saying courts were under pressure and justice was not readily available. He highlighted problems affecting women's rights and referred to corruption as a broader issue in society.
He reiterated his demand that the powers given to provincial governments under the 18th Amendment be devolved further to the grassroots level and placed directly in the hands of the people.