PPP pushes back against moves to place Karachi under federal control

KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party leaders, constitutional experts, journalists and civil and human rights activists said at a seminar on Thursday that any attempt to place Karachi under federal control, cut provincial shares under the National Finance Commission Award, or alter the 18th Constitutional Amendment would run contrary to the constitutional framework.

The seminar was organised by the PPP’s Sindh chapter at the Arts Council. Participants said a stable federation required stronger provinces and warned that rolling back constitutional protections won by the provinces could open a wider debate over later constitutional amendments and the distribution of authority between the federation and provinces.

Rabbani warns of constitutional implications

PPP leader and former Senate chairman Raza Rabbani said any move to separate Karachi from Sindh or bring it under federal administration would require constitutional amendments and therefore a two-thirds parliamentary majority.

"Karachi was, is and will remain the capital of Sindh. Anyone seeking to separate Karachi from Sindh must first secure the constitutional numbers required for such a move," he said.

Rabbani said the discussion over federal control of Karachi was in effect tied to a broader debate about undoing the 18th Amendment. He cautioned that reversing that amendment would raise serious questions about the future of the federation.

He also criticised the federal government for not holding regular meetings of the Council of Common Interests and for failing to announce a new NFC Award despite constitutional requirements. He said the Constitution allowed the provincial share in the NFC Award to increase but not decrease, and argued that shifting greater financial burdens to provinces without matching fiscal powers would weaken the constitutional order.

Khuhro rejects federal takeover of city administration

PPP Sindh president Nisar Ahmed Khuhro said the federation had no constitutional power to take over the administration of any city. According to him, while the federal government could direct provinces regarding implementation of federal laws, it could not directly assume Karachi’s control.

"The 18th Amendment has been passed with the consensus of all political forces and has become an integral part of the Constitution. Those who are unhappy with it are essentially objecting to the enhanced constitutional and financial rights granted to the provinces," he said.

Khuhro said that if provinces were expected to bear added fiscal responsibilities, they should also be given broader taxation authority. Referring to the debate over Karachi’s status, he said those calling for federal control of Karachi should first raise the same demand for Rawalpindi. He also said Sindh had consistently opposed measures affecting provincial rights and would continue to do so.

Journalist questions PPP’s federal role

Senior journalist Mazhar Abbas, while backing constitutional protections for strong provinces, questioned the PPP’s own conduct. He said the party warned against unconstitutional steps but at the same time supported measures that, in his view, weakened the Constitution.

Abbas questioned why the PPP continued to support the federal government if it believed Sindh was being pushed toward a one unit-style arrangement, the 18th Amendment was being diluted and the NFC Award was under pressure.

"My concern is that if Karachi ends up being placed under federal control, then why is the PPP part of the federal system? Why is the PPP supporting the federal government? What kind of compromise is this? This suggests that you, too, are facilitating the federal government’s agenda. By supporting and passing the 26th and 27th Amendments, you have weakened democracy," he added.

Other speakers stress provincial rights

Senator Barrister Zameer Ghumro said provincial rights were protected under both the 1973 Constitution and the 18th Amendment. He described devolution as a basic element of democratic governance and said criticism of local government arrangements should not be used to weaken provincial authority.

"Strong local governments and strong provinces are not contradictory concepts. The real issue is whether constitutional powers remain where the Constitution has placed them," Ghumro said.

Writer Noor-ul-Huda Shah said Karachi was being turned into a political instrument in broader disputes between the federation and the provinces. She said Sindh did not need to prove its commitment to the federation and added that the province had historically played a central part in the country’s political evolution.