Karachi Injustice: MQM-P Leader Vows Street Protests

Mustafa Kamal, a leader of the Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and federal health minister, announced that his party will take to the streets to protest what he described as injustice against Karachi. Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Kamal strongly criticized the Sindh provincial government for its alleged indifference and neglect of the metropolis.

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MQM-P has decided that it will no longer stay quiet. We will adopt all the ways listed in the Constitution. We spoke in assemblies, they do not agree. We presented a constitutional amendment, they do not agree. Now, we will make use of the streets while staying within the law and the Constitution. We will come onto the streets with the people.

"MQM-P has decided that it will no longer stay quiet. We will adopt all the ways listed in the Constitution," Kamal stated. He explained that the party had exhausted other avenues, including speaking in assemblies and presenting constitutional amendments, without success. "Now, we will make use of the streets while staying within the law and the Constitution. We will come onto the streets with the people," he declared, asserting that the constitution grants the right to protest.

Kamal argued that Pakistan's current system, structured around four provinces and a federating unit, is unsustainable. He specifically targeted the distribution of funds to Sindh, claiming that districts never receive their allocated share and that there is no mechanism for disbursing funds to union councils. He also criticized the resistance to amending the 18th Amendment, stating that it has not been fully enforced. Consequently, MQM-P supports steps for power devolution, including the formation of new provinces on an administrative basis.

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The law and the Constitution give us the right to come out onto the streets. Pakistan is at a point where it cannot function under the same system any longer.

The federal minister accused the Sindh government of preventing Karachi from contributing to Pakistan's economic growth. He alleged that the provincial administration has failed to provide essential civic services, questioning why Karachi's economic importance is being ignored. "Who can pull Pakistan out of this economic quagmire? And who is preventing Karachi from playing that role? It is the current Sindh government that is not allowing Karachi to contribute to Pakistan as it should," he said. Kamal lamented that while other cities like Lahore might be developing, Karachi, which should have led Pakistan's progress, has been held back by the Pakistan Peoples Party-led Sindh government. He further alleged deficiencies in basic services such as drinking water, sewerage systems, and schools, noting that many girls' schools lack basic facilities like toilets.

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Who can pull Pakistan out of this economic quagmire? And who is preventing Karachi from playing that role? It is the current Sindh government that is not allowing Karachi to contribute to Pakistan as it should.