KARACHI, 13 September 2026 (Ghufran): Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Farooq Sattar has called for a countrywide public referendum on the creation of new provinces and administrative units, saying the move is essential for Pakistan’s political, economic and social development. Speaking at a National Dialogue organised by the Graduate Forum Pakistan, Sattar said the existing four provinces had failed to deliver meaningful political and administrative reforms, with power remaining concentrated among a few families. He said Pakistan had not achieved economic, political and social independence and that expectations of improved governance following the 18th Constitutional Amendment had not been fulfilled. Sattar said the MQM-Pakistan had submitted a constitutional amendment bill aimed at clearly defining the powers of local governments and stressed the need for an effective local governance system in an era of rapid technological and artificial intelligence development. He proposed dividing Sindh into North, Central, South, West and East Sindh, while granting Karachi a special status within the province and giving cities and villages direct administrative powers and resources. Criticising successive democratic governments for weakening or abolishing local government systems, he said local governments had continued to function even during periods of martial law. Sattar called for seeking the people’s opinion under Clause 6 of Article 48 and expressed confidence that residents of Larkana and other parts of Sindh would support the creation of new administrative units. He also proposed a joint rally on Shahrah-e-Faisal in support of new provinces, describing the issue as vital to Pakistan’s survival, security and prosperity.