Karachi: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Sunday strongly criticised both federal and provincial governments over Karachi’s deteriorating governance and infrastructure, announcing a sit-in outside the Sindh Assembly on February 14 to demand an empowered local government system.
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Addressing a rally in Karachi, the JI leader said the country’s largest city was suffering from severe administrative failures. Referring to recent incidents, including a deadly fire at Gul Plaza, he said authorities had failed to respond effectively, adding that Karachi’s residents were “burning in fires” due to official negligence.
Rejecting proposals to place Karachi under federal control, Rehman said handing the city to the Centre was “not a solution”. Instead, he called for a strong and autonomous urban local government structure to resolve long-standing civic problems.
He accused the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of holding Sindh “hostage” and blamed the provincial government for the destruction of Karachi’s infrastructure, including the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR). He also pointed out that the city lacked a comprehensive master plan and demanded an end to land encroachments in urban areas.
Emphasising that Jamaat-e-Islami was not seeking personal or political gain, Rehman said the February 14 protest would be “historic” and aimed at securing lasting solutions for Karachi.
Calling on citizens to unite, he urged Karachiites to participate in the sit-in to push for improved urban planning, better security, and reliable basic services for the metropolis.
