KARACHI: With five ministers from Karachi joining the federal cabinet of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Karachiites apparently get another opportunity to strength their voice in the Centre for long-awaited attention from the corridors of power on sustainable development of the city and availability of basic needs to a population of over 20 million and ownership by Islamabad of the country’s business capital contributing 42pc of the GDP, 70pc of income tax revenues and 62pc of sales tax revenues.

Although coming from different political parties, all the five ministers sound concerned about the city and vow to become ‘voice of Karachi’ in Islamabad.

Dawn takes a look into the brief political and personal history of these ministers and asks them about their expected role that may benefit the city and its people.

Syed Amin ul Haque

Belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), he has more than four decades of political activism to his credit.

From a student activist of All Pakistan Muhajir Students Organisation (APMSO) to three-time member of the National Assembly, Mr Haq is regarded as a true representative of the middle and lower middle class in the parliament.

One of the founding members of the MQM, the 60-year-old minister enjoys consistency in the federal cabinet as the minister for IT and Telecom despite fall of the Imran Khan’s government. Apart from pursuing the “case of Karachi’s development,” he has his own plans for the city.

“We want to make Karachi an IT hub,” he said.

“For Karachi the IT ministry has also started many projects like, Virtual University Campus in Orangi Town and Centre of Excellence in University of Karachi to teach high-cost gaming and animation education with huge discounted fee.”

Senator Syed Faisal Ali Subzwari

With years of experience at provincial level to lead different ministries, Mr Subzwari for the first time has become part of a federal cabinet.

A student leader from APMSO, he hails from the typical Karachi background which makes easy for him to understand common man’s issues.

The youngest minister from Karachi with a taste of poetry and literature and an interest in media sciences, Mr Subzwari sees his maritime affairs ministry as an opportunity to build Pakistan’s contribution towards sea trade and also to offer as much as he could to the people of Karachi.

“I have never wished for this ministry. I only accepted it as a challenge with the aim of increasing contribution from our side that enhances sea trade’s share in the national economy and increases opportunities for employment for Karachi youths. I am determined to address all genuine issues of port workers.”

Sherry Rehman

A seasoned politician close to senior PPP leadership, Ms Rehman is a fourth-term parliamentarian, diplomat, journalist and civil society activist. Recipient of Nishan-i-Imtiaz, she has served as the leader of the opposition in Senate, ambassador to the US and federal minister for information and broadcasting.

Now with the portfolio of federal minister for climate change, the Karachiite looks forward for enhanced coordination between Islamabad and Karachi for sustainable development of the metrolpolis.

“My ministry [climate change] is a policy ministry and not a climate implementing ministry,” she said.

“But definitely apart from the minister of climate change, we two ministers — me and Abdul Qadir Patel — would represent Karachi as well. In line with very clear and defined party policy, we would pursue Karachi’s case in the cabinet on key issues like transport and water as well as financial support from the Centre.”

Abdul Qadir Patel

A diehard PPP worker known for his loyalty with the party leadership, Mr Patel’s contribution to his party strength appeared undeniable even by his opponents.

His new challenge as federal health minister, he believes, gives him another opportunity to serve people across Pakistan with Karachi being his birth place enjoying an edge.

An activist from his student life and member of electoral politics since 1993, Mr Patel is an experienced politician from a prominent Kutchi family of Karachi.

“After the 18th Constitutional Amendment, health has become a provincial subject,” he said.

“We will help provinces and guide them to overcome their issues. I hope the issues of Karachi will be addressed more seriously.”

Miftah Ismail

Finance Minister and close aide to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Mr Ismail has to offer more to Karachiites than anyone else in the federal cabinet.

With a PhD degree in public finance and political economy from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, he knows challenges of a common Karachiite and industrialists’ issues as well.

He claimed his space in politics through aggressive activism over the past few years.

“Water supply, transport and infrastructure development of Karachi’s industrial areas are key issues which Miftah Ismail will take up very seriously,” said a close aide to the minister, Nasiruddin Mahmood, who is also the general secretary of PML-N Karachi chapter.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2022