MQM’s Mustafa Kamal urges federal control of Karachi, slams 18th Amendment

Federal Minister for Health and MQM-P leader Syed Mustafa Kamal on Thursday called for Karachi to be placed under federal control, accusing the PPP-led Sindh government of failing to administer the city and warning that the 18th Amendment has become a “nasoor” (festering wound) for Sindh and Pakistan.

Addressing a press conference at the MQM-P centre in Bahadurabad, Kamal expressed grief over the Gul Plaza tragedy. “People are still missing. May Allah have mercy on the families and grant forgiveness to the martyrs,” he said. He said MQM-P recognised its civic responsibility. “MQM-Pakistan is one of the major political parties of this city and province. We have responsibilities, we understand them and we fulfil them.”

Kamal launched a strong attack on the 18th Amendment, which devolves powers to the provinces. “The drama of the 18th Amendment must now end. The 18th Amendment is killing us. It is committing genocide. It has become a cancer for the country. The public has not benefited. People are dying,” he said.

His remarks came a day after lawmakers from the ruling PML-N and its ally PPP clashed in the National Assembly over the amendment. Federal Food Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain linked governance failures to the deadly Gul Plaza fire. MQM’s Syed Hafeezuddin said the amendment “is not a sacred text beyond debate” and called for new administrative units in Sindh, while PPP leader Syed Naveed Qamar defended it, warning against undermining provincial autonomy.

Kamal alleged that weak provincial governance had emboldened criminals and extremist elements. “When Imran Khan’s government came in 2018, the PPP was given free rein. For four years under Imran Khan, no one questioned the PPP. You are cutting the very branch you are sitting on. The PPP does whatever it wants. Otherwise, it threatens to bring down the government,” he said.

He argued that Karachi should be handed over to the federation. “Since the provincial government cannot administer, matters should be referred to the federal government. Karachi should be handed over to federal authorities under Governor’s Rule,” he said.

Read more: Rescuers discover 30 bodies in single shop in Gul Plaza

Explaining the legal basis, Kamal said, “Articles 148 and 149 were included by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in the Constitution for this purpose.” He said the provisions allow federal intervention when provincial governance fails and when law and order cannot be maintained.

Recalling MQM’s past, Kamal said, “MQM’s youth played an important role in Pakistan’s history. This is an issue of genocide. People living in urban areas are being wiped out.” He cited past fires, including incidents at Bolton Market and high-rise buildings, adding, “For four nights, I did not move from those sites.”

Responding to allegations against MQM, he said, “Your chairmen and presidents [from PPP] used to come to Nine Zero and kneel. Federal ministers Rehman Malik and Farooq H. Naek used to monitor MQM leadership matters in London.” He also claimed external interference had worsened Karachi’s situation. “RAW maintained control over this city. They can do whatever they want to our city. There is no one to question them,” he said.

Kamal concluded by warning of deeper instability without intervention. “The entire system has become a factory producing disillusioned citizens. The provincial administration has completely failed. You are alienating people from Pakistan and giving external forces an opportunity,” he said. “Tell us the death number. How many more people are supposed to die? Karachi has now become one of the world’s four worst cities.”