MQM, PPP and PTI clash over fire response; Lawmakers debate negligence, chemical use
Rescuers search through rubble with excavators after a massive fire at a shopping mall in Karachi. Photo: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
On Tuesday, the National Assembly witnessed an intense session as government allies clashed over the fire in Karachi’s Gul Square, exchanging harsh accusations and verbal attacks while pointing fingers at institutional failures, governance and past policies.
In the session, chaired by Vice President Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif raised two points for the upcoming constitutional amendment: the need for a uniform curriculum and a functional local government system.
Tensions quickly flared between the parties. Members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) exchanged scathing remarks during the debate on the tragedy. Allied parties also targeted the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), escalating the confrontation.
MQM lawmakers sought permission to discuss the Gul Plaza fire, insisting that regular proceedings be suspended for a focused debate. Initially, the government resisted, but protests by members of the MQM and the PTI forced the suspension of the regular agenda.
Opening the debate, MQM legislator Dr Farooq Sattar sharply criticized the management of the fire, highlighting institutional failures and inadequate response by the PPP-led provincial government. In turn, PPP members responded to the criticism.
Shehla Raza questioned why several places in the square caught fire and why chemicals were reportedly used that hampered firefighting efforts. He added that these incidents often reveal underlying frustrations, exposing weaknesses in the local governance system.
PPP member Abdul Qadir Patel accused MQM founder Altaf Hussain’s bodyguard Goga of supervising the unauthorized construction of Gul Plaza. MQM’s Wasim Hussain responded to the claim, stating that Patel had previously been involved in the construction of the plaza.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif framed the debate in the context of broader governance issues, noting that previous military governments had strengthened local government systems, while political administrations had historically shunned them.
He stressed that for the National Assembly to function effectively, representation must extend to neighborhoods and local governance must be fully operational. Without this, he argued, the 18th Amendment remained largely symbolic. He added that the next constitutional amendment must ensure a uniform curriculum and a local government system that works throughout the country.
Regarding the situation in the former tribal areas, PTI legislators including Iqbal Afridi called for a debate on displacement of people in Khyber, Bajaur and Mohmand districts due to ongoing operations. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) supported this demand.
Afridi alleged that internally displaced persons (IDPs) were being left without adequate support, and that the federal government was not adequately monitoring the situation, while provincial authorities attempted to manage the crisis.
Former National Assembly Speaker and senior PTI member Asad Qaiser highlighted a recent jirga held by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly, the declaration of which was signed by 21 parties, including the PPP, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Awami National Party (ANP). Qaiser proposed that the provincial assembly be consulted on the province’s problems and called for a joint parliamentary session to formulate a national counter-terrorism strategy.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Talal Chaudhry defended the operations in KP and noted that the National Action Plan (NAP), formulated during the previous PTI government, was being implemented. He claimed that the KP chief minister was politicizing the operations.
As the heated debate continued, the proceedings of the National Assembly were adjourned and postponed until 11am on Wednesday (today).
