Scuffle breaks out among city council members after passing joint resolutions

KARACHI: A session of the Karachi City Council on Thursday, which began with rare consensus as members unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the killing of Iranian leadership, later descended into chaos as a scuffle erupted among council members.

The disorder began when a member of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) stood in front of the podium, questioning Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab while recording him on a mobile phone. This action provoked anger among Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) members, with one PPP member confronting the JI member. Members from both parties quickly intervened, attempting to separate their colleagues and prevent the situation from escalating further. Throughout the commotion, Mayor Wahab repeatedly urged members to remain seated.

Despite the ongoing disruption, the council managed to pass 14 resolutions during the session, with five of them receiving unanimous approval. The meeting, which had started on a note of unity, was overshadowed by the altercation, but legislative business continued as scheduled.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions within the council, even as members occasionally find common ground on significant issues. The unanimous resolution at the start of the session condemned the killing of Iranian leadership, reflecting a moment of solidarity before the subsequent discord.

The scuffle persisted until the end of the meeting, with members from both sides working to de-escalate the situation and maintain order. The mayor's repeated calls for calm underscored the challenges of managing heated political exchanges within the council chamber.