Two political workers belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) were arrested by Gulshan-e-Iqbal police late Tuesday night for displaying banners demanding federal control over the city.
The incident occurred at Maskan Chowrangi, a prominent intersection in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal area. The workers were reportedly installing banners inscribed with the slogan:
“Hand over Karachi to the Federation” (کراچی وفاق کے حوالے کرو) Signed: Residents of Karachi (اہلیانِ کراچی)
Police officials arrived at the scene, removed the banners, and took two activists, identified as Tariq and Umair, into custody.
Background and Demands
The arrest follows a recent surge in political demand by MQM-P leadership. Just days ago, senior leader Mustafa Kamal formally called on the federal government to declare Karachi a “federal territory” and the “financial capital” of Pakistan.
The party argues that.
- The 18th Amendment has been misused to disenfranchise Karachi.
- The Sindh Provincial Government has failed to provide basic infrastructure and security (citing recent tragedies like the Gul Plaza fire).
- Constitutional Articles 148 and 149 should be invoked to allow federal intervention.
Following the arrests, MQM-P Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Farhan Ansari led a protest at the Gulshan-e-Iqbal Police Station, condemning the police action as “undemocratic” and “harassment” of political workers.
Similar protests were also reported near the Shah Faisal colony.
The police have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the specific charges, though sources suggest the arrests were made for “illegal placement of banners” and “violating public order.
