MQM-P Will Launch Public Movement for Karachi’s Rights, Says Mustafa Kamal

ISLAMABAD: Senior leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) and Federal Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal has announced that his party will no longer remain silent and will launch a public protest movement to demand Karachi’s constitutional and financial rights.

Addressing a press conference alongside members of the MQM-P Central Committee and lawmakers, Mustafa Kamal said the purpose of the briefing was to draw attention to the challenges facing Pakistan, particularly Sindh and Karachi, and to outline the party’s future course of action.

He claimed that Sindh has received Rs2,238 billion from the federal government, while a total of Rs22 trillion has been allocated to the province over the past 18 years. According to him, Karachi generated 90 percent of that revenue but received only Rs680 billion in return, calling it a grave injustice to the country’s economic hub.

Mustafa Kamal said Karachi contributes a major share of Pakistan’s national income but is denied its fair share of resources. He alleged that until 2010, Karachi received funds under a federal formula, but subsequent arrangements have deprived the city of adequate allocations despite the provincial government receiving federal funds.

He maintained that MQM-P has consistently advocated for Karachi’s rights and will continue to do so. Had Karachi received its due share of resources, he said, the city would have witnessed significant improvements in healthcare, infrastructure, and employment opportunities.

The federal minister further claimed that Karachi has faced a development funding shortfall of nearly Rs2 trillion over the last 18 years. He argued that Pakistan could overcome its economic challenges through Karachi’s economic potential if the city were allowed to play its rightful role.

Mustafa Kamal said Lahore is now “50 years ahead” of Karachi in terms of development and accused the provincial government of hindering Karachi’s progress. He also highlighted the poor condition of schools in Sindh, stating that many girls’ schools lack basic facilities such as washrooms. He noted that approximately 26 million children are out of school nationwide and expressed concern over the high number of dog-bite cases and related deaths reported in Sindh, as well as incidents involving children falling into uncovered drains.

Criticizing the state of public services, he remarked that while the world is developing air ambulances, “bicycle ambulances” are being operated locally. He added that MQM-P has already proposed constitutional amendments, but the government has yet to take meaningful action on them.

Announcing the party’s future strategy, Mustafa Kamal said MQM-P will pursue all democratic and constitutional means to raise public issues. He stated that since concerns raised within parliamentary forums have remained unresolved, the party will now mobilize the public and launch a protest movement for Karachi’s rights.