The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has demanded that Karachi be placed under federal control, calling for the city to be administered directly by the federation.
Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Federal Minister and MQM leader Mustafa Kamal said Karachi should be brought under federal administration in accordance with Articles 148 and 149 of the Constitution. He called for an end to what he described as the “drama” of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, claiming that the amendment had caused severe injustice to the people of the city.
Mustafa Kamal alleged that the state had handed Karachi over to incompetent hands, adding that those who speak the truth are blackmailed. He called for an end to what he termed “democratic terrorism” and questioned how many sacrifices the people of Karachi would have to make to prove their patriotism.
He said Karachi had been devastated and accused the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of failing to deliver for the city. He added that even if the prime minister wanted to take steps for Karachi, he was unable to do so under the current system.
The MQM leader further said that the state had left Karachi at the mercy of the PPP, claiming that if the party intended to improve the situation, it would have done so over the past 18 years. He criticised references to local government systems, questioning why accountability was not enforced if complaints were raised.
Referring to political developments in the past, Mustafa Kamal said MQM became a scapegoat during the no-confidence motion against the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. He alleged that the PPP enjoyed undue leverage, warning that if the party withdrew support, the government could collapse.
Recalling his tenure as mayor, Mustafa Kamal said there was a time when 22 buildings were set on fire simultaneously in Karachi. He claimed he remained on the ground for four days and ensured that commercial activity resumed in affected shops within 40 days.
