KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Saturday announced plans to launch a street movement for Karachi’s rights, accusing the Sindh government of failing to provide the city with its due share of financial resources and development funds.
Federal Minister for Health and MQM-P leader Syed Mustafa Kamal said Karachi had been deprived of adequate funding despite being a major contributor to Pakistan’s economy.
Addressing a press conference at the party’s Bahadurabad headquarters, Kamal claimed that Karachi contributed more than half of Pakistan’s total revenue and over 95% of Sindh’s income, but received only Rs680 billion out of Rs22 trillion allocated over the past 18 years.
He said Karachi should have received around Rs2 trillion during the period and blamed the funding gap for the city’s problems, including inadequate infrastructure, healthcare facilities and education services.
Why Is MQM-P Demanding Greater Financial Authority for Karachi?
Kamal said the federal government had previously provided direct development funds to Karachi before 2010, but after the 18th Amendment, resources were transferred to the Sindh government without ensuring adequate distribution to the city.
“The Sindh government is not allowing Karachi to play its role for Pakistan,” he said.
He accused the provincial government of neglecting Karachi’s needs and said the lack of investment had affected public services, including roads, schools and hospitals.
Kamal argued that the implementation of the 18th Amendment had remained incomplete, particularly regarding the transfer of powers to local governments.
He said MQM-P would continue pursuing constitutional and legal avenues for greater empowerment of local administrations.
How Did MQM-P Criticize Sindh’s Governance?
Kamal criticized the PPP-led Sindh government over public service delivery, claiming that thousands of schools lacked basic facilities, including washrooms, while poor sanitation contributed to child deaths.
He also raised concerns over healthcare challenges and highlighted cases of children dying in unsafe conditions.
The MQM-P leader claimed that Karachi had fallen behind other major Pakistani cities due to inadequate governance and investment.
He compared Karachi’s development with Lahore, saying the Punjab capital had advanced significantly while Karachi had struggled with basic urban challenges.
Why Is MQM-P Calling for New Provinces?
Kamal said the creation of new administrative provinces had become unavoidable, arguing that Pakistan’s current federal structure with four large provinces was no longer sufficient to address regional needs.
He said MQM-P believed changes should be made through constitutional processes but added that the party would now mobilize supporters on the streets to press for Karachi’s demands.
“We have done parliamentary politics, we have presented amendments — now we will come to the streets and speak,” he said.
Kamal said the Constitution allowed political parties to hold peaceful protests and vowed that MQM-P would continue raising issues affecting Karachi.
What Is the Political Significance of MQM-P’s Move?
The announcement comes as MQM-P intensifies its criticism of the Sindh government over resource distribution, urban governance and local representation.
The party has long demanded greater autonomy and administrative powers for Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and economic hub.
Kamal said MQM-P would continue its campaign through democratic and constitutional means, adding that the party would not remain silent over what it described as Karachi’s unresolved issues.