Latest news with #KhalidMaqboolSiddiqui
Express Tribune
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
MQM-P's demand for new province gains momentum
As Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) sticks to its demand of creating a new province in Sindh, the party's leadership says the centre and the national assembly should ideally have the right to decide creation of new provinces. Addressing an event at Hyderabad Institute of Technology and Management Sciences on Saturday, the Federal Minister and convener of MQM-P Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said they will pursue a constitutional amendment in this regard. "We are against rolling back the 18th amendment. We rather want to see complete implementation over it," Siddiqui, who also spoke to the media, said. He reiterated that article 140-A of the amendment has enshrined a local government system which operated with completely devolved authority. He emphasised that the new provinces should be created keeping in view the growing population of the country. He argued that it went against the grain of the law to empower the provincial assemblies to decide about creating or not creating new provinces within their territorial jurisdiction. "We are trying to introduce an amendment in the constitution towards this end." He contended that Hyderabad will continue to be the country's third largest city if an honest population census is conducted. He deplored that such large city with rapidly growing population continues to be deprived of the public sector universities, a demand which MQM-P besides other political parties have been making for decades. He said a former vice chancellor of NED had planned to open the varsity's campus in Hyderabad but the Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah thwarted his attempt and that campus was instead opened in Tharparkar.
Business Recorder
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Dar meets MQM delegation
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Thursday, met with the MQM delegation led by Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. Dr Farooq Sattar, Aminul Haque, and Javaid Hanif were also part of the delegation. The delegation discussed various matters related to the development budget, constituency-related concerns, and broader political issues. Dar reaffirmed the government's commitment to inclusive development and assured the delegation that their concerns would be addressed in a spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PM Shehbaz arrives in Karachi on day-long visit
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Karachi on Monday for a one-day visit, where he paid tribute to Pakistan Navy personnel for their role in defending the country's maritime borders. Upon arrival, he was received by Federal Minister for Education Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. During the visit, the Prime Minister toured the Pakistan Navy dockyard and met with naval officers and personnel. He praised their service during 'Marka e Haq,' a military operation aimed at securing Pakistan's coastal waters. In his address, Shehbaz Sharif commended the officers and sailors for their dedication and professionalism in safeguarding national interests at sea. He was accompanied by Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, and Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar. The PM will also meet Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Governor during his stay in Karachi. Last week, Pakistan Army announced the successful conclusion of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, a large-scale retaliatory military operation launched on May 10, 2025, in response to deadly Indian attacks on Pakistani civilians during the night of May 6 and 7. The operation was part of the broader conflict termed "Marka-e-Haq." According to DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Pakistan's response involved the use of Al-Fatah missiles, precision air strikes, killer drones, and long-range artillery, targeting 26 Indian military installations across Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and mainland India. Key sites included Srinagar, Jammu, Adampur, Sirsa, Pathankot, and S-400 systems, as well as intelligence and logistics hubs accused of supporting terrorism inside Pakistan. A ceasefire was reached following the intervention of US President Donald Trump, halting further escalation between the two nuclear-armed states. The ISPR highlighted the operation's tri-services coordination across air, land, sea, and cyber domains. It also praised the media, scientists, political leadership, and nation for unified support. Cyber warfare operations were also conducted to temporarily disable Indian military networks. Pakistan's military accused India of simultaneously fueling terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan during the conflict. The statement concluded with a warning that Pakistan's response to any future aggression would be 'comprehensive and decisive.'
Business Recorder
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PM Shehbaz arrives in Karachi
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Karachi on Monday on a one-day visit. Minister for Education Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui received the PM. PM Shehbaz is accompanied by Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, and Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar. During his visit to the port city, the premier will visit Pakistan Navy's dockyard. He will also address the officers and personnel of the Pakistan Navy and pay tribute to them for thwarting the aggressive intentions of the Indian Navy during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos. The PM will also meet Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Governor during his stay in Karachi.
Express Tribune
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
City celebrates 'victory over India'
Citizens across the metropolis, along with various political, religious, and social organisations, observed Youm-e-Tashakkur (day of thanks) on Sunday to mark "the historic success" of Operation Bunyan al-Marsoos conducted by Pakistan's military against India. The city witnessed widespread celebrations, with people from all walks of life - including children, youth, women, and the elderly -participating in rallies and public gatherings to express gratitude to the security forces. Participants carried national flags and shouted slogans in solidarity with the military, lauding the leadership of the three services chiefs, especially the army chief,. They paid tribute to the armed forces for what they described as a decisive response to Indian aggression, bringing pride to the nation. MQM-Pakistan staged rallies across the city, highlighting the professionalism and strategic superiority of the Pakistani military during the operation. Party leaders praised the military for successfully countering a numerically superior enemy and stressed the importance of national unity. MQM Chairman Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui welcomed the ceasefire agreement with India, describing it as both a national and diplomatic milestone that demonstrated Pakistan's robust defence capabilities. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) also organised a Youm-e-Tashakkur rally from Gulshan-e-Jamal to the Karachi Press Club. Led by senior leaders, including Bashir Memon, Saleem Zia, and Asad Usmani, participants commended the military's swift and effective operation, which they said was concluded successfully within hours. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh, Karachi President Raja Azhar, and General Secretary Arslan Khalid led a large protest rally in Karachi titled "Pakistan Zindabad" to express solidarity with the nation and armed forces following recent tensions with India. Alongside patriotic chants, the rally's participants also demanded the immediate release of PTI's founding chairman, reiterating their support for the party's leadership and calling for justice. PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh after addressing villagers at Zero Point near Pakistan-India border in Nagarparkar, joined a rally in Hyderabad at Hyder Chowk then drove off to Karachi for the Pakistan Zibdabad Rally. Similarly, Pakistan Muslim League-Q Secretary General Tariq Hassan remarked that the operation had profoundly impacted the Indian government and called for an All Parties Conference (APC). He proposed that the APC, led by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in coordination with the military leadership, should serve as a platform to express collective national gratitude and reinforce political unity. Pakistan Sunni Tehreek (PST) President Engineer Sarwat Ejaz Qadri celebrated the "victory" at Qadri House, calling it a divine blessing and a reflection of national cohesion. He highlighted the participation of Pakistan's diverse communities, stressing that people of all faiths and backgrounds stood united in support of the armed forces. A major public rally at Clifton's Sea View was led by former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi. Addressing thousands of participants, Afridi lauded the military for its effective response and emphasised the importance of peace in the region. He said that India had underestimated Pakistan's capabilities and expressed hope that the outcome would pave the way for lasting peace. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was widely appreciated for his representation of Pakistan on international media platforms during the crisis. His statements were noted for reflecting Pakistan's responsible and dignified diplomatic posture. Mayor of Karachi and Spokesperson for the Sindh Government, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, has welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India, stating that Pakistan has always been a peace-loving nation that prioritises dialogue, regional stability, and responsible diplomacy. Leading a rally he said that despite India's aggression and attempts to impose war, Pakistan's Armed Forces gave a resolute and strategic response, earning the respect and admiration of the nation and the global community alike. Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar has said that the nation had won the war against India in the battle field and expressed his hope that the political leadership won't lose the victory on the table during peace dialogue with the neighbouring country. The JI leader expressed these views in wee hours of Sunday while visiting a camp setup in Karachi, by the youth wing of the party.
