Will Force Occupying Mayor to Step Down Through No-Confidence Move: Muneem Zafar Khan

Karachi: Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi, Muneem Zafar Khan, has announced that a no-confidence movement will soon be launched to force the “occupying mayor” to step down, adding that contacts are being made with all political parties present in the City Council, including PML-N.

Addressing a press conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq, Muneem Zafar Khan said that the people of Karachi want their right to live with dignity from what he termed an oppressive Sindh government, which has failed to deliver people’s rights for the past 17 years. He said that after the “Give Karachi the Right to Live” march on Shahrah-e-Faisal, panic has spread within the Sindh government.

He claimed that a four-hour march on Shahrah-e-Faisal “shook the rulers,” forcing repeated press conferences by the Sindh Chief Minister, the Interior Minister, and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab. He criticized the government for focusing on road closures while ignoring the devastated condition of the entire city, including University Road, Jahangir Road, Karimabad, and other areas.

Muneem Zafar Khan alleged that corruption and plunder have become rampant under the current rulers. He said that the Sindh Interior Minister was issuing threats of strict action and invoking anti-terrorism laws, adding that such measures would not silence the demand for Karachi’s basic rights.

The Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi chief described Mayor Murtaza Wahab as a “mouthpiece of the system occupying Sindh,” alleging that the provincial government was patronizing criminals. He claimed that citizens have been left at the mercy of robbers and that 11 people have been killed so far this year while resisting robberies.

He further said that the victims of the Gul Plaza incident are still visiting hospitals and the DC office for relief. Criticizing the federal government, he said the Prime Minister showed no concern for Karachi and did not visit the city after the Gul Plaza tragedy, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Karachi only once last year.

Muneem Zafar Khan also alleged massive rigging in the February 8, 2024 elections, claiming that the public mandate was stolen across Pakistan, particularly in Karachi. He said that seats were “handed over” to MQM and the Pakistan Peoples Party that they could not have imagined winning.

He alleged that the Election Commission, in collaboration with the establishment, was responsible for the situation, adding that election cases are still pending before tribunals even after two years. He announced that a public press conference would be held outside the Election Commission on February 8, followed by a major sit-in outside the Sindh Assembly on February 14.

He concluded by saying that regardless of FIRs and threats, Jamaat-e-Islami would continue to expose the rulers and hold them accountable.