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MQM-P Demands Karachi Be Declared Federal Financial Capital After Gul Plaza Tragedy
MQM-P leader Mustafa Kamal urges the federal govt to declare Karachi a federal financial capital, citing governance failures after the Gul Plaza fire. PPP rejects move, calls it politicisation.
ND
by News Desk
2026-01-22
MQM-P Demands Karachi Be Declared Federal Financial Capital After Gul Plaza Tragedy

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Mustafa Kamal on Thursday called on the federal government to declare Karachi a federal territory and the country’s financial capital, citing administrative failures highlighted by the deadly Gul Plaza inferno.

Addressing a press conference, Kamal urged the centre to invoke Articles 148 and 149 of the Constitution, which allow federal intervention in provincial matters to protect peace and economic life.

“We have an administrative capital, but Karachi should be made a financial capital,” Kamal said, adding that the metropolis — which he termed the backbone of the national economy — could not be left under the current provincial administration.

Referring to the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Sindh, he said:
“A city that runs the entire country cannot remain under an administration engaging in democratic terrorism.”

Kamal warned that continued disenfranchisement of Karachi’s residents was “turning people against the state” and could benefit Pakistan’s enemies.

‘Unfair use of 18th Amendment’

The MQM-P leader accused the PPP of taking “unfair advantage” of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, claiming it was being used against Karachi’s citizens.

“End this 18th Amendment drama now,” Kamal said, while reiterating his party’s long-standing demand for empowered local governments.

Recalling discussions during the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment in November last year, Kamal said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and several cabinet members — including Khawaja Asif, Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanveer and Rana Sanaullah — had supported local government reforms.

“However, the PPP alone refused to comply and threatened to block voting on other clauses, forcing us to retreat,” he alleged.

MQM-P has previously linked its support for the 26th and 27th Amendments to amendments strengthening Article 140A related to local governments, later announcing that its proposals would now be moved as part of a 28th constitutional amendment.

The Gul Plaza tragedy has reignited debate in parliament over city governance, with MQM-P’s Farooq Sattar calling for new administrative units and PML-N leader Khawaja Asif also backing stronger local governments.

PPP rejects demand, accuses MQM-P of politicisation

Responding sharply, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon accused MQM-P of politicising the Gul Plaza tragedy.

Addressing a separate press conference, Memon said the Sindh government was exercising restraint despite “provocative statements”.

“Will abolishing the 18th Amendment or handing Karachi over to the Centre prevent such incidents?” he questioned, asserting that the provincial government was not evading responsibility.

Memon accused MQM-P leaders of hypocrisy, recalling past incidents of violence in the city.
“Those who once burned people alive for extortion are now lecturing us on humanity,” he alleged, referring to the Baldia factory fire and violence on May 12, 2007.

He also criticised Kamal for not visiting Gul Plaza despite holding a federal ministerial position.

The PPP leader said the Sindh government’s immediate focus was on returning victims’ remains to their families and supporting affected shopkeepers.

“Human life has no price, but the government stands with those who have suffered,” Memon said, adding that interest-free loans were being considered for affected traders.

He revealed that Rescue 1122 responded to 1,094 fire incidents across Karachi in 2025, with 84 incidents reported so far this month, stressing that the Gul Plaza incident would be thoroughly investigated and accountability ensured where lapses were found.
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