The cry ‘Let Karachi Live’ echoed through the streets on February 14 as frustrated residents protested Karachi’s crumbling state, met with forceful police action including tear gas. Political storm over the city’s plight has now reached the legislative floor.
On Saturday, Sindh Assembly members united to pass a landmark resolution affirming Karachi’s status as an ‘indivisible part’ of the province, rejecting all contrary moves. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, from Asif Ali Zardari’s PPP, introduced the measure to dispel separation rumors.
The resolution condemns ‘any conspiracy to partition Sindh or form a separate province incorporating Karachi.’ It declares Karachi’s eternal integration with Sindh and calls on parties to refrain from divisive agendas harming peace and integrity. Sindh’s unity and historic identity are portrayed as inviolable inheritances, to be guarded via legal and democratic channels.
Triggering this was MQM-P’s advocacy for federal oversight of Karachi as a territory. Mustafa Kamal, the party’s federal minister, this week slammed provincial mismanagement of the city.
Shah countered opposition critiques head-on, denying unconstitutionality and invoking a 2019 precedent where MQM-P supported a parallel resolution. The paradox of national PPP-MQM alliance versus provincial friction highlights complex power dynamics.
Beyond partisanship, the assembly commits to upholding Sindh’s dignity and cohesion. As public anger lingers, this unified legislative action seeks to stabilize sentiments and prevent escalation, prioritizing dialogue over discord in addressing Karachi’s grievances.