The federal takeover of Karachi is not practically possible, said Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Information on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Affairs, Ikhtiar Wali Khan, while responding to growing political debate over the city’s governance and recent crises.
Speaking to local media, Ikhtiar Wali Khan explained that when conditions worsen in any province, the constitutional option is the imposition of Governor’s Rule rather than direct federal control of a city.
Sharing his views, he stated that the current situation in Karachi does not justify such extraordinary measures.
Commenting on political developments, Wali referred to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership style, saying that the prime minister is known for his speed and decision-making.
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He added that it remains to be seen whether Shehbaz Sharif will personally visit Karachi or send his representatives to assess the situation.
Addressing recent fire incidents in Karachi, including the Gul Plaza tragedy, the PM coordinator said that such disasters occur in many parts of the world.
However, he stressed that the real test lies in how governments respond to crisis and whether they take responsibility for failures and shortcomings.
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Wali clarified that he does not doubt the intentions of the Sindh government but acknowledged that the public has expressed dissatisfaction with its performance, particularly in handling recent fire incidents in Karachi.
He also pointed out that even members of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have criticised their own party over the situation.
He further stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assured Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah of full federal support.
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According to Wali, provinces can seek assistance from each other without unnecessary delays when emergencies arise.
Regarding the Gul Plaza tragedy, Ikhtiar Wali Khan said that representatives from the federal government are expected to visit Karachi to review the situation and coordinate with provincial authorities.
He added that such visits are important to ensure effective response, accountability, and future preventive measures.
The statement comes at a time when debates about Karachi’s administration, safety standards, and governance structure are intensifying following repeated urban crises.
