ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday assured the Muttahida Qaumi Movement of Centre’s support to address problems confronting Sindh, particularly Karachi, after an MQM delegation presented five demands to him to address key issues of the province.

The demands presented by the MQM delegation comprising Minister for Information Technology Amin-ul-Haq, Senator Faisal Sabzwari, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Javed Hanif, Amir Khan, Waseem Akhtar and Kunwar Naveed Jameel were: allocation of funds for new census in coming federal budget, funds for uplift work under Karachi Development Package, an inquiry into “issuance of fake domiciles” of Karachi, Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas, early functioning of Hyderabad University and eradication of bandits’ sway and corruption in Sindh.

Prime Minister Khan said the federal government was aware of development needs of the people of Sindh and the problems faced by them, Mr Haq said. “The federal government is playing its role in addressing the problems faced by the people of Sindh and would continue to do so in future as well,” he added.

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail was present at the meeting during which the problems of Sindh, particularly Karachi, its development needs, development projects under next budget and matters relating to the PTI-MQM alliance were discussed.

Besides presenting proposals for the next budget, the delegation expressed the MQM’s support to the budget.

The prime minister assured the delegation that the development needs of Karachi and Hyderabad would be considered during the preparation of next budget. “Since the progress of Karachi — the economic hub of the country — is the progress of Pakistan, its development and solution of its problems will be ensured,” he added.

Talking with rporters, IT Minister Haq said the MQM delegation asked the prime minister to ensure implementation of his own decision regarding holding of fresh census that should be completed before next general elections in 2023. “We asked the prime minister to ensure that required funds are allocated for this purpose in coming budget,” he added.

He said the delegation also demanded allocation of a “big amount of funds” for development activities in Sindh, particularly Karachi. “The delegation told the prime minister that unlike the three other provinces, the PTI allies are facing an anti-Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government in Sindh where the provincial government does not pay heed to basic civic problems of Karachi and other areas dominated by the MQM and the PTI,” he said.

Mr Haq said the issuance of fake domiciles of Karachi, Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas also came under discussion and the MQM demanded a high-level inquiry into the scam.

The delegation, he said, also demanded early functioning of newly established Hyderabad University. He said a bill regarding establishment and functioning of the varsity would be tabled in the National Assembly on June 7.

Regarding what he called “dacoits’ Raj” in Sindh, Mr Haq said the prime minister was apprised that some members of the provincial assembly and local politicians were backing bandits and were involved in mega corruption that had paved the way to joblessness, poverty, injustice and pathetic conditions in the urban areas etc.

The IT minister said the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and the prime minister assured the MQM delegation that its demands would be met.