HYDERABAD: Federal Minister for Education and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) chief Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui on Monday voiced concerns about the Afghan situation, political alliances, governance issues and the state of education in the country.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the fintech (financial technology) department at the Hyderabad Institute for Technology & Management Sciences (HITMS), Dr Siddiqui said Pakistan has been facing challenges due to the situation in Afghanistan for two decades.
He said Afghanistan must take responsibility. “What we have been warning about is happening now, and it should be acknowledged.” He criticised the influx of undocumented Afghans into urban centres. He said they were supposed to stay in camps, but they moved to cities. Karachi is a sensitive city, so deportations must start there, he added, asking why the state has failed to take practical steps on the issue.
When asked if the government is united, he said allies are partners, not relatives. “We can only pray the government completes its five-year term. Hopefully, we’ll also be convinced.” In response to a journalist’s question about the mayor’s claim of Rs60 billion worth of development works, he quipped: “Which Arabs are these? Did they come from Saudi Arabia?”
Commenting on constitutional reforms, he said: “We will review the 27th amendment to see what arrangements are in place for cities where we have a mandate.” He also emphasised the need for creating new provinces to match population growth. Districts and divisions were increased because the population increased, so provinces should also grow accordingly, he pointed out.
Earlier, while addressing the inauguration ceremony, he expressed satisfaction over ongoing initiatives. “It’s a matter of gratitude that what we’re doing is bearing fruit. But we must take responsibility for our own future.”
He criticised the lack of educational institutions in the city. Hyderabad should have had several universities by now, he said, “but we live in a society where they want to keep education away from the people”.
“In 77 years we’ve learned that only those who created this country can run it,” he stressed, recalling the contribution of migrants in the creation of Pakistan. Calling education a basic right, not a privilege, he urged the HITMS administration to build a factory of talent. Addressing youth, he said: “Whatever the state does to you, the country is your trust; you must protect it.”
He stressed the importance of population as an asset. “Our neighbours have proved that population can be turned into a strength. Educate your people.” Reiterating his long-standing demand, he called for a fresh census in major Sindh cities. “I once again demand a proper census in Karachi, Hyderabad, Nawabshah and Sukkur. A state that can’t conduct a census can’t understand its people.”
