Comedian and actor Tabish Hashmi has called for Karachi’s management to be privatised and handed over to its residents, arguing that citizens could not possibly do a worse job than the current system. His remarks were echoed by radio jockey and host Anoushey Ashraf, who supported the idea of Karachi being run by its people.
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Speaking on Geo News talkshow Report Card while discussing the deadly Gul Plaza fire, Hashmi expressed frustration over what he described as systemic governance failures in the city. He said Karachi should be managed as a unified civic entity by its diverse communities rather than by the government.
Referring to the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Hashmi said Karachi should be treated the same way. “We Karachiites — Pathan, Baloch, Sindhi, Muhajir, Punjabi — we will buy Karachi together,” he said, adding that even with genuine effort, citizens would not be able to perform worse than the current state of affairs.
The comedian spoke emotionally about Gul Plaza, the shopping centre gutted by a fire last week that claimed at least 61 lives. He described it as a place deeply embedded in the memories of Karachiites, saying there was hardly a home in the city that did not contain items bought from the mall.
Hashmi criticised the lack of basic safety measures, questioning how such issues were still being debated in 2026. He said repeated tragedies pointed to structural negligence rather than isolated failures and called for resignations instead of routine inquiries.
“Accountability is not just saying ‘I am accountable’,” Hashmi said, referring to a recent press conference by the chief minister. “If incidents keep happening under your watch, then accountability means stepping down.”
However, he also urged citizens to reflect on their own role in the city’s deterioration, citing illegal constructions on stormwater drains, electricity theft, and encroachments. Hashmi said only after correcting these practices could Karachiites demand accountability from authorities with full moral authority.
RJ Anoushey Ashraf backed Hashmi’s comments, sharing his clip on Instagram and calling Karachi a distinct entity that should be cared for by its residents, regardless of ethnicity or religion. She stressed that those who call the city home must actively contribute to its improvement instead of only complaining.
As public anger grows following repeated tragedies, the debate continues over whether meaningful change will follow — or whether it will take further loss of life before decisive action is taken.
