A delegation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement–Pakistan (MQM-P) met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Thursday to discuss the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment.

The meeting was part of the government’s efforts to take its allies into confidence on the proposed legislation, according to sources.

During the meeting, Shehbaz assured MQM leaders that their proposals related to Article 140-A would be incorporated into the constitutional amendment.

The MQM delegation, led by Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, included Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, Mustafa Kamal, Dr Farooq Sattar, Aminul Haque, and Khawaja Izharul Hassan.

From the government’s side, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Minister for Economic Affairs Ayaz Sadiq, and Adviser Atta Tarar attended the meeting.

The sources said the discussion focused on MQM’s proposal regarding Article 140-A, which deals with the powers of local governments.

The prime minister assured the delegation that their bill would be made part of the amendment.

An MQM spokesperson said the party would also begin consultations with other political groups to build consensus on including the bill in the constitutional amendment.

According to the sources, the MQM delegation briefed the prime minister on proposed constitutional changes aimed at strengthening local governments.

The party called for an amendment to Article 140-A to grant local bodies greater constitutional and financial autonomy.

The MQM also proposed holding general elections within 90 days of assembly dissolution and reducing the term of legislatures from five to four years, the sources said.

One of the key points in the MQM’s recommendations is the transfer of funds from the federal divisible pool to local governments under the NFC Award to ensure that development resources reach the grassroots level.

The MQM maintains that without constitutional protection and financial independence for local governments, urban problems cannot be effectively resolved.