ISLAMABAD - The senior leadership of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) will soon hold a meeting with the main leadership of the ruling party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), to discuss its key demands. These demands include Karachi's share under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and the reinstatement of Kamran Tessori as the Governor of Sindh.
Allies Present Demands Before Budget
It has been observed that allied partners of the government often come forward with their demands before the legislation on the federal budget. Conditional support to the ruling party is a common occurrence prior to the passage of the budget. Since the federal budget is expected to be presented on June 10, the important coalition partner will present its set of demands to the government before the passage and presentation of the finance bill for the fiscal year 2026-27.
Political Analysts Weigh In
Political pundits believe that the ruling party typically accepts some of these demands to ensure smooth approval of the budget with the support of allies' votes. The numerical strength required to pass legislative business, including budget proposals, demands for grants, and supplementary budgets, is crucial for the government's stability.
MQM-P Conditions for Support
MQM-P has already linked its support for the upcoming finance bill 2026-27 to these conditions. The party recently demanded that Karachi's share of Rs450 billion under the NFC Award be transferred directly to the city in the next fiscal year, instead of being routed through the Sindh government. This direct transfer is seen as a way to ensure that the funds are utilized for the development of Karachi.
The ruling party is likely to constitute a committee to discuss this issue, as the demand may not be accepted immediately. The committee will examine the feasibility of direct transfers and other related matters.
In addition to the NFC Award, MQM-P is also pushing for the reinstatement of Kamran Tessori as the Governor of Sindh. Tessori, who previously served in this role, is seen by MQM-P as a key figure to address the party's concerns in the province.
The meeting between MQM-P and PML-N leadership is expected to take place in the coming days, with both sides aiming to reach a consensus before the budget is presented. The outcome of these discussions will be closely watched by political observers, as it could impact the passage of the finance bill and the stability of the coalition government.
