KARACHI: Federal Minister for Health and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Syed Mustafa Kamal announced on Saturday that his party would launch a street movement to demand Karachi’s rights, accusing the Sindh government of denying the country’s largest city its fair share of development funds for nearly two decades.
Speaking at a press conference in Bahadurabad, Kamal claimed Karachi contributes more than 50% of Pakistan’s total revenue and over 95% of Sindh’s income, yet has received only Rs680 billion out of Rs22,000 billion allocated over the past 18 years.
‘Karachi denied its rightful share’
Kamal argued that Karachi should have received around Rs2,000 billion during the same period, saying the funding shortfall had severely affected the city’s infrastructure and public services.
“If Karachi had received its rightful share, there would have been prosperity here. We are not making an emotional speech — we are talking numbers.”
He alleged that until 2010, the federal government directly provided funds to Karachi, but since then the Sindh government has received federal allocations without transferring the city’s due share.
“The Sindh government is not allowing Karachi to play its role for Pakistan.”
Criticism of Sindh government’s performance
The MQM-P leader strongly criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led Sindh government, alleging widespread governance failures across the province.
He claimed that thousands of schools lacked basic facilities, including washrooms, and said children were dying after falling into uncovered drains.
Kamal also alleged that more children in Sindh die from dog bites than in any other province.
“The world is going to the moon — our children are dying in gutters.”
Comparing development across Pakistan, he said Lahore had advanced significantly while Karachi had been left behind.
He added that an entire generation in Karachi had grown up without reliable access to tap water and had been deprived of employment opportunities despite existing quota systems.
Calls for implementation of the 18th Amendment
Kamal said MQM-P remains committed to Pakistan’s Constitution and democratic process, stressing that the party seeks reforms through constitutional and legal means.
He argued that the 18th Constitutional Amendment has not been implemented in its true spirit, particularly regarding the transfer of powers to local governments.
According to Kamal, strengthening grassroots governance remains essential for improving public services and accountability.
Federal Budget Faces Delay as Government Seeks Key Legislation Before Budget Session
New provinces ‘inevitable’
The MQM-P leader also renewed his party’s longstanding demand for administrative reforms, saying Pakistan can no longer be effectively governed with only four large provinces.
“The creation of new administrative provinces has become inevitable.”
He maintained that MQM-P would continue pursuing constitutional and parliamentary avenues while also taking its campaign to the streets.
“We have done parliamentary politics, we have presented amendments — now we will come to the streets and speak.”
Kamal said the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to peaceful protest and that MQM-P would exercise that right to seek what it considers Karachi’s constitutional share.
Allegations over public funds
During the press conference, Kamal also alleged that money meant for the people of Sindh had been transferred abroad, claiming it had contributed to rising property prices in Dubai.
He further referred to the case of mothers in Khairpur protesting over missing children, alleging they were subjected to baton charges while demanding justice.
Concluding his remarks, Kamal accused the Sindh government of depriving Karachi residents of essential services, including clean drinking water and quality education.
“PPP’s government is oppressing us — they do not give us drinking water, they do not give our children schools. We will no longer remain silent.”
