KARACHI: The Sindh government on Tuesday firmly denied allegations by factions of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) that security personnel assigned to their leaders had been withdrawn, dismissing the claims as politically motivated amid an escalating war of words following the deadly Gul Plaza fire.
The controversy erupted after MQM-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader and Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal told a private TV channel that his security protocol had been withdrawn in retaliation for his party’s criticism of the Sindh government’s handling of governance issues in Karachi.
Kamal claimed the alleged move was intended to “scare” MQM-P leaders for speaking out, adding that such actions only strengthened the party’s demand for Karachi to be placed under federal control.
“Karachi should not remain under an incompetent provincial government,” Kamal said, asserting that the Sindh administration could not silence the MQM-P through pressure tactics. He added that the party was not concerned about personal security.
Similar allegations were made by MQM-Haqiqi (MQM-H), which claimed that security assigned to party chairman Afaq Ahmed had also been withdrawn. MQM-H Vice Chairman Shaukat Farooqi condemned the alleged move, saying it reflected fear on the part of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
Sindh Govt Rejects Claims
Responding to the allegations, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar categorically denied that security for any political leader had been revoked.
“No security provided to any political figure has been withdrawn,” Lanjar said in a statement, clarifying that both Mustafa Kamal and MQM-P convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, who is also a federal minister, were currently in Islamabad.
He added that security arrangements for entitled political figures, including MQM leaders, remained unchanged.
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon also rejected the claims, accusing the MQM-P of running a “propaganda campaign”.
“Whoever is entitled to security has it,” Memon said, noting that even Sindh Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi continued to enjoy the same security arrangements.
He added that federal ministers in Sindh were provided more security than their counterparts elsewhere. “In Islamabad, federal ministers often move with a single police official. Here, they have been provided 10 or more personnel,” Memon said, questioning why security would be required in Karachi when the ministers were reportedly in Islamabad.
Earlier, Sindh government spokesperson MPA Sadia Javed said she was unaware of any formal decision to withdraw security, suggesting that any adjustment—if it occurred—could be due to a shortage of police personnel.
MQM-P Insists Sindh Govt Abdicating Responsibility
Despite the denials, MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar reiterated the party’s stance at a press conference in Karachi, accusing the Sindh government of stepping back from its constitutional responsibility.
“You withdrew security. Even if it was restored for some individuals, restore whatever security was given to our MNAs and MPAs,” Sattar said.
He warned that if the Sindh government failed to provide protection, the party would seek security from the federal government. “Then gradually, this city should be made a federal territory,” he added, repeating MQM-P’s long-standing demand.
Sattar said it was the Sindh Police that had earlier warned MQM lawmakers about threats to their lives, and withdrawing protection after such alerts amounted to negligence.
Political Tensions After Gul Plaza Tragedy
The dispute comes amid heightened political tensions following the Gul Plaza inferno, which has claimed at least 73 lives. MQM-P has demanded that Karachi be declared the country’s “financial capital” and placed under federal control, while also criticising the 18th Constitutional Amendment, which devolved powers to the provinces.
The PPP has accused MQM-P of politicising the tragedy. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah recently detailed the plaza’s regulatory history, noting that building violations were regularised during previous municipal administrations.
Addressing protests in the Sindh Assembly, Memon said peaceful protest was a democratic right but warned against disorder.
“We will support peaceful protest, but if old tactics like shutting shops, arson or violence are used, the government will act firmly,” he said, stressing that public safety would remain the government’s top priority.
