Sindh CM rejects Centre’s ‘high-powered’ body to transform Karachi
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KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that the announcement of a ‘high-powered committee on Karachi transformation’ by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led federal government was beyond its constitutional mandate and amounted to encroaching on provincial authority.
He said that Article 97 of the Constitution clearly stated that the authority of the federal government “does not extend in any province in respect of a matter for which the provincial assembly has power to make laws”.
The chief minister pointed this out to Sindh Governor Imran Ismail in response to his Nov 19 letter through which he informed Mr Shah about the constitution of the ‘high-powered’ committee for transformation of Karachi by the federal cabinet.
Murad says the federal government is encroaching upon provincial authority
Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry had said that the committee would be headed by the Sindh governor to undertake development projects in the city.
In the letter sent to the governor, the CM said: “I would like to state that the Sindh government believes in the supremacy of the Constitution and rule of law, and is committed to fulfilling its obligations to the people of this great province, who have reposed their trust in the Pakistan Peoples Party.
“I am confident that as the governor you will also remain committed to fulfilling your constitutional role as provided for in the Constitution. In this regard, I draw your kind attention to Article 105 of the Constitution which provides that the Governor in performance of his functions shall act on the advice of the cabinet or the chief minister, and such advice shall also not be called into question by anyone.
“Under the existing Constitutional framework, the executive authority of the federal government is confined to matters in respect of which parliament has power to make laws. In this regard, reliance is placed upon Article 97 of the Constitution proviso of which states that the authority of federal government does not extend in any province in respect of a matter for which the provincial Assembly has power to make laws.
“Having perused the letter, I am of the view that the terms of reference deal with provincial subjects, for which the Sindh government has exclusive powers. Needless to say that the notification of any such committee by the federal government is beyond its constitutional mandate and is tantamount to encroachment of provincial authority. I will also be writing to the prime minister on this.
“I remain confident that you will remain committed to upholding the Constitution and supremacy of rule of law and will, in your capacity as governor, thwart any and all attempts to subvert the Constitution of Pakistan,” the CM concluded.
Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2018
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Comments (72) Closed
Nov 26, 2018 09:22am
Suggest sindh government team you to improve the lives of karachites instead of doing politics on issues!!
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Nov 26, 2018 09:28am
The people of Karachi had not given any mandate to the Sindh govt. They have suffered enough and have been toyed throughout the last three decades by all the Sindh govts. Plus the MQM. It is now high time that the people of Karachi free themselves completely from the shackles of both paries PPP and the remaining of MQM and look towards the one party who they have given the mandate.
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Nov 26, 2018 09:28am
I am a Karachiite and my last ray of hope for improving the plight of my city is now fading fast.
We the people of Karachi are the worst sufferers of the 18th Amendment, which has given the provincial government of Sindh a stranglehold on the affairs of management of urban areas of Sindh province. Unfortunately, for Karachi, we have no choice but to remain on the mercy of incompetent, corrupt, and biased regime of ruling elites from interior Sindh. Since they will never be able to gain any confidence from the citizens of urban Sindh, they will always ignore it and make money by embezzling funds for the development of urban areas especially Karachi.
In these elections, Karachi gave its mandate to PTI and for the first time having any hope for improvement but PPPs intransigence is destroying it as well.
Imran Khan's PTI should try to introduce some kind of amendment in the constitution to mitigate the negative effects of 18th amendment. Maybe, our honorable judiciary can someway help to improve the situation for Karachi.
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Nov 26, 2018 09:29am
PPP Sindh govt has consistently failed in urban development of Karachi in last 47 years therefore they have no constitional right and Federal Govt is justified to form high powered committee as lack of infra structure in Karachi effects whole nation. Therefore it is no more provincial matter.
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Nov 26, 2018 09:30am
Will not d anything good and will not others do anything
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Nov 26, 2018 09:30am
Mr. CM we the people of Karach want to be governed by those who we voted. We have not voyed for PPP.
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Nov 26, 2018 09:32am
Neither does the provincial govt. Karachi is a municipality.
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Nov 26, 2018 09:36am
PPP has been in power for a long time and has done absolutely nothing for Karachi - time to change
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Nov 26, 2018 09:37am
Karachi’s affairs according to the constitution as Mr Murad Shah has correctly and cogently pointed out fall within the purview of the Government of Sind. If we will follow the constitutional path we will avoid many a problem in the future. Let us not keep repeating the mistakes of the past.
If the federal government does have a development plan for Karachi in mind it could (1) convey this to the government of the province of Sind and (2) provide the Provincial government the resources for its fulfillment.
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Nov 26, 2018 09:38am
A picture worth 1000 words, look their faces. They are totally shocked. 40 years of slumbering and do-nothing is abou to end.
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Nov 26, 2018 09:44am
There is no harm, if the Federal Government undertake or oversees the development of this mega city. The CM, which is representative of PPP, must feel pity on his own long term performance in the province of Sindh, which gives a look of an African country. Therefore, instead of objecting on the development projects to be launched by Federal Government of PTI, he should not only cooperate with them but contribute his part, to uplift the face of Karachi, which is provincial capital city and commercial hub of the whole country.
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Nov 26, 2018 09:44am
If Karachi grievances have to be addressed it is imperative it is given independent or special status, if it will be left on PPP, it will be another 5 years of broken promises and nothing else. It should be clear to Sindhis and Karachites that PPP is never gonna work in their larger interest, they oppose strong local government system and hide behind 18th amendment when center wants to take some initiative
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Nov 26, 2018 09:46am
People of Karachi,voted for PTI not PPP so Murad Shah should not interfere in people's mandate.
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Nov 26, 2018 09:48am
Sindh CM should provide alternatives rather than just rejecting huge developement projects.
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Nov 26, 2018 09:49am
Karachi transformation is imperative, and time is an essence, PTI may please obtain waiver against Sindh Govt reservations from SC, and go ahead for implementation.
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Nov 26, 2018 09:49am
If the provincal team cant or dont want to do it, let the capital team do it please !
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Nov 26, 2018 09:57am
Mr.Murad Ali CM, why you have problem if something good for Karachi,you have to be happy, bcs we people of Karachi, Sindh Govt putting us under illegal QUOTA SYSTEM, NoJob,medical, education, no development, Electricity, Road, let Central Govt do needful and we want something is better for Karachi is good for Sindh. Pls let do them.
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Nov 26, 2018 09:59am
Sindh provincial governments over the decades had left Karachi in a dilapidated state. Can't be trusted, let the central government do it.
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Nov 26, 2018 10:10am
say whatever you want CM Sindh. Slowly Sindh Govt is moving towards irrelevancy. Central Govt knows the importance of Karachi and its development which the PPP deliberately did not attend to for years.
Now next the question of “why” will rise against the PPP, and that will be the end of it.
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Nov 26, 2018 10:11am
That's right, all PPP is care about their control and not their competence level. What have they done for Karachi?
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Nov 26, 2018 10:12am
Take the total number of years PPP has been in power in Sindh and see the state of affair(s).
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Nov 26, 2018 10:14am
We wont do anything for the people, and we will not allow anyone else to do anything for the people either.
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Nov 26, 2018 10:16am
Provincial government for the past has done nothing for Karachi so federal government has to do some concrete work.
We the public is happy.
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Nov 26, 2018 10:30am
The politicians must work beyond their petty politics if they want development. This is true for all the parties.
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Nov 26, 2018 10:35am
karachi is spoiled by ppp with the help of govt servants,minister plus cm . they have no role in improvements some one else will do.
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Nov 26, 2018 10:35am
PPP represent rural Sindh not urban
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Nov 26, 2018 10:40am
CM has made the right known now let’s see if Federal govt gives same powers of special committee to sindh govt or plays games that will break Karachi from sindh.
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Nov 26, 2018 10:47am
Let federal government take care of Karachi. This way CM Murad Shah would have plenty of time to improve rest of Sindh !! Who would not like to have his work shared?
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Nov 26, 2018 11:05am
This is much needed, this week came from abroad and visited sandspit seaside.The roads were nightmare, there is absolutely no govt in Sindh, specially in Karachi. Karachi much go to a high power body who can make Karachi a better City.
Sindh Govt is 99% corrupt, 1% is given benefit of the doubt
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Nov 26, 2018 11:06am
Look at the way the PPP plays with words and uses the shield of constitution to sabotage the plans for well being of Karachi. Why they never stood up against SCP's orders for cleaning the encroachments? was that also not an interference in provincial domain? The truth is PPP is not sincere to solve Karachi's problem as they did not won any mandate from this city.
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Nov 26, 2018 11:10am
@No More Do More,
Agree with you 100%. If SCP can intervene in provincial matters by ordering to clean-up the encroachments in Karachi, then why SCP cannot intervene to resolve other issues of Karachi?
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Nov 26, 2018 11:10am
It seems all are playing with the fate of Karachi;
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Nov 26, 2018 11:21am
The Federal Government should not encroach upon the Sindh Government's right to keep Karachi in the past.
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Nov 26, 2018 11:27am
The chief minister is the person who executes the plans approved but the Sindh governor has the final say in all matters. Therefore, the governor must review the finances and the projects and allow the chief minister to execute plans only.
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Nov 26, 2018 11:42am
What is Syed Murad Ali Shah's problem if the federal government wants to improve the quality of life and develop Karachi to its new heights!!!
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Nov 26, 2018 12:09pm
if the provincial government had done their work properly nobody would have touch them
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Nov 26, 2018 12:14pm
There wouldn't be a need or an opportunity to encroach upon your authority, if PPP-led government was doing an adequate job managing the province and the largest city and commercial center of the country.
The record speaks for itself. Over the last 20 years, Karachi has been rapidly dwindling into a ghetto-like crime-infested city, with over crowding, congestion, pollution, filth, heaps of trash everywhere, illegal constructions, lacking maintenance, code enforcement, muncipality or other services for the citizens.
Do your job so no one has to look over your shoulder. Instead of playing politics, provide services necesary for the people to live a decent life in Sindh.
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Nov 26, 2018 12:18pm
Why not work together to improve Karachi. If I was in the shoes of Sindh CM I shall take this opportunity and work to improve the quality of life of common man living in Karachi and will forget about who has got the mandate.
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Nov 26, 2018 12:32pm
PPP did NOTHING for Karachi for three decades and now when PTI is trying to do something, it is creating hurdles.
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Nov 26, 2018 12:35pm
@Hassan, true
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Nov 26, 2018 12:36pm
What ppp has done in long years ruling???
can anybody answer?They dont want development in Sindh
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Nov 26, 2018 12:38pm
The message is very clear. “We didn’t do anything, we don’t have any intentions or ability to do anything but we won’t let you do it as well”. The Feds should declare an emergency in Karachi and allow the governor to spearhead all needed projects.
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Nov 26, 2018 12:52pm
This is what PPP have been doing all along. They do nothing and let others do nothing.
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Nov 26, 2018 01:12pm
I think the PPP should accept that the people of Karachi are slightly more self aware of their rights. Which is why they did not vote for the PPP. They can continue with all the destruction they desire in the interior, but we as citizens of Karachi, do not want them to rule us. They are nothing but incompetent. Incompetence is for all to see, their corruption is a bit harder to prove. So the CM should essentially accept that they brought this on to themselves.
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Nov 26, 2018 01:16pm
Nobody is stopping you to do your part. But 30 years is enough and you have nothing to show for it.
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Nov 26, 2018 01:23pm
Yes. CM is saying that we haven't done anything for Karachi in 30 years and will not allow anyone to do as well. Good Go PPPP
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Nov 26, 2018 01:27pm
This is what I understood from the news. Neither we will anything to improve the situation of the city nor will we let anybody else do it
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Nov 26, 2018 01:27pm
I think
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Nov 26, 2018 01:39pm
So it is like nor will we do anything nor we let others do anything,
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Nov 26, 2018 02:34pm
Your performance (look at Thar, look at water fiasco, daily robberies etc.) over the past 10 years is such that federal government has no option but to intervene. The latter is also the desire of the common people in Karachi etc.
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Nov 26, 2018 02:46pm
Incompetent Sindh government only speaks about law and constitutions for their own benefits. Karachite are living miserably with basic necessities of life. PPP has taken Karachi into dark ages.
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Nov 26, 2018 02:54pm
Could anyone asks CM what PPP did in their last 30 years in power in Sindh. Even their stronghold Larkana is in such a dilapidated condition. So what you can expect from them in Karachi.
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Nov 26, 2018 02:56pm
Also instead of doing politics they should provide proof of real ground level works for public interest. Public want better quality of life, security, health provisions etc. So center should be given chance!
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Nov 26, 2018 05:06pm
The federal government should give all the funds being allocated and to be allocated for any work to be done for the betterment of Karachi in cash form to the provincial Sindh government and simply forget to ask how it was used afterwards. That will make our provincial rulers very happy and satisfied.
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Nov 26, 2018 06:33pm
Mr. CM. You can't use constitution to hide your Govt. inefficiency and corruption. People pay taxes (Karachi generate 60% of Pak revenue) and therefore need attention of highest level of Govt.
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Nov 26, 2018 06:48pm
Sindh govt has done nothing to improve life of Karachites.....keep it up Federal Govt......My father came to this city from Islamabad in 1982 to join PIA......since then nothing has improved much......
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Nov 26, 2018 06:49pm
Formation of high-powered’ committee for Karachi by the federal cabinet under Governor Sindh is creating a parallel "Executive Body" to control and run Karachi separately is conspiracy against the People of the Province.
Encroachment on Provincial Autonomy by forming Parallel Executives in the Province will create chaos in administering the Karachi, the captial of Sindh Province.
PTI Federal Govt must stay away from ruling Karachi in the name of High Powered Body which is in fact form of Governor Rule under Federal Govt.
Setting examples of breaching the constitution, and encroaching upon the provincical autonomy will pave the way to disrespect the law and constitution further more.
Don't set such bad examples...What you sow so shall you reap.
If you have proposals and plans to do a better ...transfer more funds to Sindh Govt and just audit the money how it is spent...
PTI federal members/ministers also stop acting as Viceroy in the matters of the province when visiting Karachi ...
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Nov 26, 2018 08:16pm
Really? Does it mean to stop taking actions against illegal activities that has been going on in for many many yeas?
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Nov 26, 2018 08:20pm
Good overtake But please follow the rule which you create...
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Nov 26, 2018 09:14pm
Karachi is the financial capital of Pakistan so it should be declared as Federal teretory. Because Sind Govt failed to fulfill it's responsibility.rather deprived local Govt to perform.
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Nov 26, 2018 09:50pm
Oh boy, looks like PTI encroach on PPP weekly bhata!
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Nov 26, 2018 10:01pm
Federal Government has the constitution power to curtail financial supports for all such projects where a provincial government fails to show required progress on the allocated funds. For repeated such failures, Federal Government can take such projects to complete through its own means. Funds are provided for the welfare of people projects, not for plundering by politicians and provincial organs.
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Nov 26, 2018 10:09pm
So be it Mr. Shah. The PPP government has turned Karachi into a gigantic garbage bin.
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Nov 27, 2018 12:27am
Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah and his PPP government have "failed" to deliver good governance and development for Karachi in the last 10 years. Therefore, the people of Karachi demand action for better roads, public transportation and hospitals. We also demand demolishing illegal structures built with connivance of PPP and MQM politicians. The Supreme Court said there was "failure" of governance in Karachi. We, the people of Karachi welcome any initiative taken by the new Federal government.
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Nov 27, 2018 01:49am
@Nasr,
Mr. Nasr,
Very pinching point.
The corrupts and shameless members can not bear this.
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Nov 27, 2018 02:00am
@No More Do More, put karachi under federal government.
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Nov 27, 2018 08:21am
@m ahmed, You are NOT Karachiite. If you are Karachiite, regardless of being Sindhi, Mohajir, Punjabi, Pashtoon, Parsi or any ethnic background, you would be fed up with PPP ruling in Sindh for decades and doing absolutely nothing for Karachi bit looting and plundering.
Let someone else take charge for once and make much needed improvements.
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Nov 27, 2018 08:08pm
Thankfully we now have a federal government which is considering about uplifting the situation in karachi. these goons had never address any issues of karachi nor of Sindh and see their guts to ask federal not to interfere in issues related to karachi, neither they did anything nor they would let anyone else to do any good to karachi.
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Nov 27, 2018 08:09pm
Thankfully we now have a federal government which is considering about uplifting the situation in karachi. these goons had never address any issues of karachi nor of Sindh and see their guts to ask federal not to interfere in issues related to karachi, neither they did anything nor they would let anyone else to do any good to karachi.
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Nov 27, 2018 11:13pm
Provincial govts make laws and not conduct uplist.
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Nov 28, 2018 02:02am
@m ahmed,
Mr. m Ahmed,
Your writing shows you are a supporter of most corrupt regional political party PPP ruling Sindh for decades with zero performance.
Most probably you don't belong to Karachi.
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Nov 29, 2018 09:14am
Waderas do not want any progress in Karachi! They want to continue their corrupt ways to loot the Karachi funds and transfer them on launches to Dubai!
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