KARACHI: Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar on Thursday said he would support the federal government’s decisions for the betterment of Karachi as long as the steps taken are within the limits of the constitution.
Addressing an event in the city, Akhtar extended his support to any constitutional step that was for the betterment of the metropolis.
“Karachi provides revenue to the entire country. Over 30 million people live here, there are two ports in the country and this city is recognised in the world. People come here from all across the country for business opportunities and jobs, you are ruining that.”
The mayor, who belongs to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM-Pakistan), was commenting on his colleague and law minister’s, Senator Farogh Naseem, statement, wherein the latter had voiced his support for Article 149(4) in the megacity.
On Wednesday, Naseem said the government was likely to take administrative control of Karachi by invoking the article.
The minister had 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 had openly 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.
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.
ARTICLE 149:
“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.
