MQM-P chief calls for a new democratic system

MQM-P chief calls for a new democratic system

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has criticised Pakistan’s existing political structure, describing it as a form of “feudal democracy” rather than a fully representative democratic system. He argued that the country’s political framework continues to favour powerful elites while failing to give farmers, workers and ordinary citizens an effective voice in governance.

Speaking at a dialogue in Lahore on the need for a new political system and the creation of new provinces, Siddiqui said Pakistan’s democratic system would remain incomplete unless decision-making powers reached the grassroots level.

He said farmers often find themselves represented by landlords, while workers are represented by wealthy industrialists and capitalists. According to him, this disconnect prevents large sections of society from having a meaningful role in political decision-making.

Siddiqui maintained that Pakistan’s democratic system itself had not necessarily failed; rather, he said, the country’s entrenched feudal structure had failed. He noted that similar systems had disappeared from many parts of the world, while Pakistan continued to struggle with their influence in politics and governance.

Referring to political freedoms, Siddiqui said he speaks as openly as the level of democracy allows, although he acknowledged that he would still exercise caution in his remarks. He welcomed the fact that discussions about political and administrative reforms were taking place during a democratic period rather than under military rule.

The MQM-P leader questioned whether Pakistan really needs a democracy whose benefits do not reach ordinary citizens. He argued that meaningful democracy requires the transfer of authority to local governments so that people can influence decisions that directly affect their daily lives.

Siddiqui pointed to democratic systems around the world where government operates at multiple levels, including a strong third tier of local administration. In his view, Pakistan also needs an effective local-government structure with genuine financial and administrative powers.

He criticised the implementation of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, saying political leaders had originally sought a mechanism to transfer powers further down to the local level. Instead, he argued, the amendment resulted in greater concentration of authority at the provincial level.

He said political parties across the country now talk about decentralisation, stronger local governments and the creation of additional provinces. He also referred to the Pakistan Peoples Party’s past support for the idea of new provinces in Punjab and for strengthening the local-government system.

Siddiqui further accused political leaders of selectively following the Constitution, arguing that governments readily implement provisions that serve their interests while neglecting those designed to provide greater benefits to the public.

He described the relationship between Pakistan’s ruling elite and ordinary citizens as increasingly unequal, saying the interests of the two groups often clash. In his assessment, economic hardship among the public can strengthen the position of those who control political and economic power.

Siddiqui also criticised the concentration of political influence within a limited group, saying that the term “ruling class” has effectively become associated with a particular elite segment of society. He said he was grateful not to belong to that group.

Calling for changes within political parties themselves, the MQM-P chairman urged party leaders to reconsider the practice of bringing family members into electoral politics. He argued that political parties should discourage hereditary politics and family-based governments if Pakistan wants to build a genuinely representative democratic system.

He stressed that political and administrative reforms should focus on empowering ordinary citizens rather than simply shifting authority from one powerful institution or political tier to another.

According to Siddiqui, Pakistan needs a system in which people at the grassroots level can directly participate in governance, hold local representatives accountable and benefit from public resources. Without such reforms, he argued, democratic institutions may continue to exist formally while failing to deliver meaningful political and economic empowerment to the wider population.