The federal government is likely to take administrative control of Karachi by invoking Article 149(4), said Law Minister Farogh Naseem on Wednesday.
The minister said the decision will be made during the prime minister’s upcoming visit to Sindh’s capital.
As a tussle between the Centre and Sindh continues to heat up, Naseem has come out in support of Article 149(4), saying that he would suggest this to the Karachi committee that was recently formed by the prime minister.
The final decision, however, rests with the special committee, he added.
It may be noted here the prime minister had formed a committee recently to work out plans to address issues being faced by the residents of Karachi. The committee has been asked to suggest short-, medium- and long-term measures for the betterment of Karachi.
“The executive authority of every Province shall be so exercised as not to impede or prejudice the exercise of the executive authority of the Federation, and the executive authority of the Federation shall extend to the giving of such directions to a Province as may appear to the Federal Government to be necessary for that purpose,” reads Article 149 of the constitution.
“The executive authority of the Federation shall also extend to the giving of directions to a Province as to the construction and maintenance of means of communication declared in the direction to be of national or strategic importance.”
“The executive authority of the Federation shall also extend to the giving of directions to a Province as to the manner in which the executive authority thereof is to be exercised for the purpose of preventing any grave menace to the peace or tranquillity or economic life of Pakistan or any part thereof,” reads the article.