Mustafa Kamal demands federal control and economic capital status for Karachi

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-Pakistan) leader and Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal on Thursday demanded that Karachi be placed under federal control instead of the province and be declared the economic capital of Pakistan.

Addressing a press conference on the Gul Plaza tragedy, Kamal clarified that he will not be blackmailed by past allegations and will continue to speak on Karachi’s issues.

“The 18th Amendment is creating problems for the country instead of benefits, and the powers granted under it are not being used for the welfare of citizens,” he said, emphasising the need to abolish or review this amendment.

READ MORE: Gul Plaza fire is one of the worst tragedies in the history of Karachi: JI

The minister also mentioned the load shedding of electricity, water, and gas, the shortage of jobs under the quota system, and the lack of urban facilities. According to him, the youth of Karachi are not getting their due rights, and the quota system has become practically ineffective. He demanded an end to “democratic terrorism” in the city and the provision of basic rights to citizens.

“Since Karachi is the backbone of the entire country’s economy, special and fair treatment is indispensable so that its citizens can feel safe and dignified,” he said.

Kamal also termed the Gul Plaza inferno in the port city extremely saddening, stating that precious human lives were lost and he shares the grief of the entire city. He remarked that such incidents have repeatedly traumatised the citizens of Karachi, and it is difficult to say whether this will be the city’s last tragedy or not.

The former Karachi mayor criticised the provincial government, stating that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has been in power in Sindh for the past 18 years, yet Karachi remains deprived of basic facilities and protection.

He questioned whom the state has handed the citizens over to and how much longer they will continue to carry corpses. “The people of Karachi are still looking toward the state for redress,” he stated.

Referencing the past, he said Karachi faced a long period of unrest, killings, and ethnic and sectarian violence where people were killed based on colour, race, language, and sect, resulting in dozens of lives lost daily. He stated that the city’s people have always made sacrifices, yet their patriotism continues to be questioned.

Kamal rejected the notion of shifting responsibility for current issues onto a single party or group. He asked if buildings are unsafe today, did all this faulty construction happen in recent years, and is it correct to blame everything on the past.

He said those who speak the truth are blackmailed, and old allegations are used as pressure tactics. He claimed that even if the prime minister wanted to take bold steps for Karachi, he could not do so due to political grievances.