KARACHI: Karachi should be declared a federal territory, demanded Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leader and Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal on Thursday, intensifying the debate over governance and constitutional authority in Pakistan’s largest city.
Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, Mustafa Kamal argued that the city’s administrative failures stem from provincial mismanagement and constitutional limitations. He said that Karachi, given its economic importance and population size, should fall directly under the federal government to ensure effective governance and service delivery.
Kamal maintained that the existing provincial system has failed to address Karachi’s long-standing issues, including infrastructure decay, law and order challenges, and lack of basic civic facilities. He asserted that constitutionally, there is space to declare Karachi a federal territory, adding that such a move would allow direct federal oversight and accountability.
The MQM-P leader strongly criticised the 18th Amendment, calling it a major hurdle to Karachi’s development. According to Kamal, the amendment has not delivered any real benefits to the residents of the city and has instead weakened federal authority in critical urban centers. He described the amendment as an obstacle that must be revisited in order to save Pakistan from administrative paralysis.
Mustafa Kamal further urged the federal government to exercise its constitutional powers under Articles 148 and 149, which allow the centre to intervene when provincial governance fails to meet national interests. He said decisive action under these provisions was necessary to protect Karachi’s role as the financial hub of the country.
Referring to discussions surrounding the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, Kamal claimed that most political stakeholders supported MQM-P’s proposal regarding Karachi, with the exception of the Pakistan People’s Party. He alleged that despite constitutional validity and broader political consensus, his party was forced to withdraw the proposal due to political pressure.
The federal minister also stated that the PPP holds enough parliamentary strength to destabilise the government, which he said has constrained the state’s ability to act, leaving ordinary citizens to suffer the consequences.
Highlighting grievances of his community, Mustafa Kamal alleged systematic victimisation in Sindh, describing it as democratic terrorism. He demanded an immediate end to such practices, warning that continued neglect of Karachi’s governance could further deepen political and social divisions in Pakistan.
