Sindh up in arms over Centre's plan to invoke Article 149 in Karachi

PTI-led govt's possible move termed a 'conspiracy against Pakistan'

Prime Minister Imran Khan. PHOTO: PTI

KARACHI:
Federal Law and Justice Minister Farogh Naseem's hint at the possible invocation of Article 149 (4) in Karachi has garnered fierce opposition from across Sindh.

Several politicians, writers, intellectuals and civil society activists in the southern province have termed the statement a "conspiracy" against Pakistan and demanded Naseem's resignation.

Centre mulls invoking Article 149 in Karachi

Many others see the move as a tactic by the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to divert people’s attention from the deteriorating economic situation and governance standards in the country.

As the news spread on mainstream and social media, hashtags such as "#SindhRejectsKarachiCommittee", "#United SindhUnitedPakistan" were seen as the top Twitter trends on Thursday.

"Article 149 (4) only pertains to the exercise of the executive authority of the federal government in a province. For example, if due to a blockade of roads, port operations or shipping is affected in Karachi, then the federal government can direct the province to remove the blockade. It has nothing to do with the executive power of the province," explained Barrister Zamir Ghumro, a former advocate general of Sindh.

No stake in Centre’s committee on Karachi: CM Murad

According to him, any such unconstitutional move by the Centre would be vehemently opposed by the people of Sindh. "Sindh is united to defeat any move related to Article 149 (4), which does not even have the scope or meaning being attributed to it," said Ghumro.

The federal law minister has also received criticism from members of the ruling PTI. "Wrong interpretation of the Constitution and its clauses for criminal intentions and mala fide motives is treason. Farogh Naseem has done it with Article 149 (4) and he must be sacked immediately," said Zulfiqar Halepoto, an activist from PTI's Sindh Chapter.

Karachi-based senior journalist, Talat Aslam, expressed concern over a possible repeat of the city's violent past.

 
Load Next Story