MQM-P steps up criticism of Sindh govt as security is withdrawn from party leaders
KARACHI:
Political tensions in Karachi have deepened after wall chalking appeared across several neighbourhoods calling for the city to be placed under federal or military control, following the deadly Gul Plaza fire and a sharp war of words between the MQM-P and the ruling PPP in Sindh.
Slogans reading “Karachi ko wafaq ke hawalay karo” (Hand Karachi over to the federation) and “Karachi ko fauj ke hawalay karo” (Hand Karachi over to the military) were seen in areas including Liaquatabad, North Nazimabad and Haidery Market.
The messages were reportedly written by unidentified individuals late on Monday night and into the early hours of Tuesday. Videos of the wall chalking circulated widely on social media.
The graffiti gained attention in the aftermath of the January 17 fire at Gul Plaza on MA Jinnah Road, which engulfed the commercial building within hours. At least 74 people have died, with 23 victims identified so far, according to officials.
One of the survivors of the Gul Plaza fire said she was grateful to have escaped but noted that similar tragedies had happened before. “I thank God I was lucky enough to escape the fire, but this is not the first time this has happened – Baldia factory fire, Bolton Market, Cooperative Market, RJ Mall,” she said.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, she questioned the lack of accountability. “Tell me who was held accountable in earlier cases, and even now. What will the federal government do if Karachi is handed over to them?” she said. “Karachi and its people have always been on their own for help (apni madad app). I think it is better to make Karachi independent and give it provincial status.”
In the days following the tragedy, Federal Health Minister and MQM-P leader Syed Mustafa Kamal openly criticised the PPP-led Sindh government and questioned the 18th Constitutional Amendment, calling for Karachi to be placed under federal control.
Speaking at a press conference in Bahadurabad, Kamal said, “People are still missing. May Allah have mercy on the families and grant forgiveness to the martyrs. MQM-P is one of the major political parties of this city and province. We have responsibilities, we understand them and we fulfil them.” He accused the Sindh government of failing to administer Karachi and described the amendment as a “nasoor” (festering wound) for Sindh and Pakistan.
Separately, MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar demanded a high-level judicial inquiry under federal oversight, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He said the scale of the incident “raised serious questions about governance and emergency response” and showed a lack of confidence in the PPP government.
Read: Gul Plaza inferno came after ignored warnings, delayed response
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon rejected the allegations, saying the tragedy was the result of decades of administrative failures rather than negligence on a single day. “During Sattar’s tenure as Karachi mayor, decisions on the plaza’s lease, regularisation, and urban planning laid the foundation for unsafe constructions,” Memon said. “Those who legitimised illegal constructions are morally and politically accountable.”
Wall chalking has long been an informal political tool in Karachi, especially during periods of restricted political activity. During military rule in the late 1970s and 1980s, walls served as a key medium for spreading political messages and mobilising pro-democracy movements. Over time, the practice evolved into a way for parties and pressure groups to signal dissent and influence public opinion, particularly during elections and political crises.
After the Gul Plaza fire, some social media users suggested younger people were behind the latest slogans. However, no youth group or individual has claimed responsibility, and no organised platform linked to younger generations has emerged, suggesting the generational framing may be amplifying existing political narratives.
Read More: Karachi walls: The roadside Gallery
Political tensions rose further on Tuesday after government-provided security was withdrawn from several senior MQM-P leaders, including party chairman Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Express News reported. Official security for Dr Siddiqui, Dr Farooq Sattar and Mustafa Kamal was withdrawn with immediate effect, while security for Anis Kaimkhani and Sindh Assembly Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi was also discontinued.
The Ministry of Interior directed security personnel to return immediately, leading to the recall of police mobile vehicles and staff. Dr Siddiqui had been assigned one mobile and eight personnel, Dr Sattar one mobile and 10 personnel, and Ali Khurshidi one mobile and eight personnel. All were withdrawn.
No official reason was given, but MQM leaders believe the move followed their criticism of the PPP government over the Gul Plaza tragedy. The party has called an emergency press conference for Tuesday at 4pm to announce its next course of action.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, MQM-P leader Aminul Haq said the move reflected panic within the PPP. He said the ruling party could not tolerate criticism and that the MQM would continue to raise public concerns at every forum. He added that such tactics would not stop the party from highlighting what it called the Sindh government’s criminal negligence in the Gul Plaza incident.
Meanwhile, search operations at the fire-hit Gul Plaza building were nearing completion, and the structure was set to be sealed after a final inspection, Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khoso said on Monday. Personnel from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation began sealing work, digging pits around the building to install iron shuttering, while officials said the site would also be enclosed with green plastic netting.
No formal platform linked to younger generations has emerged, indicating that generational labels are being used to frame or amplify existing political narratives rather than reflect a distinct youth-led movement.
– With additional input from Abbas Naqvi
