ISLAMABAD, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 4th Sep, 2026) Senior leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Afaq Jamal has said that the party continues to maintain a strong grassroots network in Karachi and remains closely connected with people at the town, sector and local levels despite political challenges and changing circumstances.
Talking to APP in an interview, he said the MQM had historically developed a political structure that maintained close contact with ordinary citizens and remained responsive to their day-to-day problems.
Recalling his political association with the party, Afaq Jamal said he had been associated with the MQM since 1984 and had witnessed its political evolution and changing role in the country’s political landscape.
He said the existing political system had failed to adequately address fundamental issues, including employment, governance and representation, adding that the MQM had emerged in response to the grievances of people who felt deprived of opportunities and political representation.
Afaq Jamal said that even during periods when the MQM had boycotted elections for the National and Provincial Assemblies, its workers remained active in their respective sectors and localities, listening to people’s problems and maintaining direct contact with them.
“Even today, there is hardly any political party with such an extensive grassroots network. Our presence exists at the town level, and people continue to approach our workers with their problems,” he said.
He said the MQM-P had sought to evolve into a political platform representing people from different ethnic and regional backgrounds rather than limiting itself to a particular community.
“The MQM-P today recognises Punjabis as Punjabis, Pakhtuns as Pakhtuns, Sindhis as Sindhis, and people from Mianwali and Hazara as belonging to their respective communities. All these people are part of the party, and many of them are also holding responsibilities,” he said.
He stressed that the party’s political identity was now rooted in Pakistan’s constitutional framework and the inclusion of people from different communities and regions.
Discussing the country’s political landscape, Afaq Jamal claimed that the MQM had historically played an important role in the formation of Federal governments.
He said successive political governments had sought the MQM’s support because of its parliamentary strength and political influence, adding that the party had remained part of several major political developments in the country.
Referring to Karachi, he said the country’s largest city continued to face serious challenges relating to water supply, sanitation, roads and other civic infrastructure.
He opposed calls for making Karachi a separate province, arguing that the question of provincial status should not be discussed without first addressing issues relating to population figures, resource distribution and the city’s contribution to the national economy.
“Karachi contributes significantly to Pakistan’s economy, but its population, resources and financial contribution must be properly accounted for,” he said.
Regarding the demand for new provinces and administrative units, Afaq Jamal said the creation of new provincial administrations should be considered from the perspective of effective governance, equitable representation and delivery of public services rather than on ethnic or political grounds.
He said Pakistan was a geographically and demographically diverse country and that administrative structures should be designed in a manner that brought government closer to the people and ensured equitable distribution of resources.
Afaq Jamal said the debate on new provinces should be held through Parliament and within the framework of the Constitution, with all stakeholders taken into confidence.
He said smaller and more effective administrative units could help improve governance, address people’s problems at the grassroots level and ensure more balanced development, provided such arrangements were based on consensus, accurate population data and fair resource distribution.
He emphasised the need for accurate population data to ensure a fair distribution of resources through the National Finance Commission (NFC) and other financial mechanisms.
He said the MQM had repeatedly raised the issues of Karachi’s population, resources and civic problems at various forums, including meetings with the prime minister and other political leaders.
“We have repeatedly told the authorities that Karachi’s issues need to be addressed. The city provides water, generates revenue and contributes to the national economy, but its civic problems must also be resolved,” he said.
He maintained that water supply, sewerage, roads, waste management and other municipal infrastructure in Karachi required greater attention from the authorities.
The MQM-P leader also criticised political activism conducted from abroad, particularly the use of what he described as “abusive and inappropriate language” against Pakistan, its institutions and its people.
He said political differences should be expressed through democratic and constitutional means, while politicians and activists should remain mindful of their responsibilities towards the country and its people.
Responding to a question about the distribution of party tickets and allegations of favouritism, Afaq Jamal said he had not awarded tickets to relatives merely on the basis of family connections.
He said party tickets had been awarded to people from different communities on the basis of their performance, commitment and services to the party and local population.
“I have given tickets to people on the basis of their work, performance and commitment. I believe political representation should be based on merit and the services rendered to people,” he said.
He added that political parties could strengthen democracy only by remaining connected with ordinary citizens and addressing their genuine problems rather than restricting political activity to statements and social media campaigns.
