KARACHI: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has called for the formation of a strong city government as the only way to address Karachi’s longstanding administrative and governance issues. Speaking at a press conference in the city, he said provincial or federal control alone cannot solve Karachi’s problems and stressed that the city must be governed by an empowered local government.
Rehman cited Istanbul as an example of effective local governance, where the city’s administration manages key services including fire safety, construction, transportation, water, sewage, education, and employment. He criticised bodies such as the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) and the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), saying development cannot succeed without a properly elected city government. He also alleged that the mayorship of Karachi had been “stolen” from JI.
In his remarks, Rehman announced a march titled “Jeenay dou Karachi ko” (Let Karachi Live) on February 1 along Sharea Faisal. He expressed hope that the march would inspire young people and outlined plans to “free the city from mafia and feudal influence.” He also highlighted JI’s support for the country’s youth, particularly Generation Z, and urged that the people’s mandate for city governance be respected. Rehman further demanded that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah step down to take accountability for his government’s alleged “incompetence.”
Calls for stronger local governance have grown following the deadly Gul Plaza fire on January 17, which claimed at least 73 lives and destroyed over 1,100 shops. The National Assembly recently echoed the need for reforms in local government, with MQM-P leader Dr. Farooq Sattar advocating for more administrative units and greater powers for mayors, town chairmen, and union council chairmen. PML-N’s Khawaja Asif also supported empowering local governments, saying it would allow residents to have real representation in their own neighbourhoods and strengthen civilian rule.
The Gul Plaza tragedy, blamed on negligence and carelessness, has heightened public demands for better city administration and effective local governance. Karachi police have formed a special team to investigate the incident and arrest those responsible, while lawmakers continue to call for reforms that ensure accountability and safety in the metropolis.
