Karachi Political Diary

 Karachi Political Diary

 Mubashir Mir

Sindh today stands at a crossroads where opportunities and crises converge. On the one hand, ambitious infrastructure projects promise to redefine Pakistan’s economic landscape, while on the other, climate-induced floods, public health crises, and political uncertainty cast long shadows. The evolving role of the Bhutto family’s new generation and speculation about the leadership of Sindh further add to the province’s complex political canvas.

Infrastructure Projects: M-6 and M-10 — The Economic Lifelines

At a high-level review meeting in Karachi, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Federal Minister for Communications Aleem Khan assessed the progress of two crucial projects: the Hyderabad–Sukkur Motorway (M-6) and the Karachi Northern Bypass (M-10).

The M-6, a 306-kilometer project long delayed due to funding challenges, is expected to complete the North–South Motorway Link, connecting Karachi Port and Port Qasim with central and northern Pakistan. Experts argue that this corridor will not only facilitate logistics but also create thousands of employment opportunities for Sindh’s youth.

Similarly, the transformation of the M-10 into a modern expressway seeks to reduce Karachi’s chronic traffic congestion. According to the National Highway Authority (NHA), over 35% of Pakistan’s trade cargo passes through Karachi, yet the city loses an estimated Rs. 50 billion annually due to traffic gridlocks. Upgrading the M-10 could ease this bottleneck.

Aleem Khan assured transparency and timely completion — a claim viewed with cautious optimism given Pakistan’s checkered history of delays in mega-projects.

Karachi’s Urban Challenge: Rains, Drains, and Relief

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab took an unusually inclusive step by inviting MQM, Jamaat-e-Islami, PTI, and PML-N to join hands in rain preparedness. “This is not an administration that eats tea and parathas on a café Pealla. We believe in practical measures,” he quipped, underscoring his resolve.

Relief camps have been set up at flood-prone points, while coordination with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) remains active. Yet, past experience shows that urban flooding in Karachi is less about heavy rainfall and more about poor planning, unregulated construction, and encroachment on stormwater drains. The Supreme Court has previously censured Karachi’s civic agencies for negligence.

A Landmark Judicial Verdict: Parks for People, Not Profits

The Sindh High Court (SHC) struck down the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s resolution to allow commercial use of public parks under the guise of public–private partnerships. Petitioner Advocate Saifuddin hailed the ruling as “historic,” calling it a milestone in safeguarding Karachi’s civic assets.

The court reaffirmed a principle long ignored in Karachi: urban green spaces are not commodities. With Karachi’s per capita green space already below 0.5 square meters per person (far less than the WHO’s recommended 9 square meters), the ruling is a vital step toward protecting citizens’ right to a livable environment.

Public Health Alarm: Post-COVID Heart Disease Surge

Beyond politics, health institutions in Karachi are grappling with a new reality: a sharp increase in heart disease cases following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aga Khan University Hospital reports that annual heart attack cases doubled from 1,500 pre-pandemic to 3,000 post-pandemic.

The NICVD, South Asia’s largest cardiac hospital, treated 9,925 patients in 2024 alone.

Medical experts believe COVID-19 has lingering cardiovascular impacts, though vaccine-related concerns lack scientific basis. This reflects a global trend: according to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular mortality rose by nearly 15% worldwide during and after the pandemic.

Floods on the Horizon: A Province on Edge

The Provincial Rain and Flood Emergency Monitoring Cell warns that 1,651 villages across 44 talukas are at risk of flooding, potentially displacing 1.6 million people. Already, over 6,000 residents have been evacuated in the last 24 hours.

528 relief camps and 154 medical camps are functional.

Over 878,000 livestock — the backbone of rural Sindh’s economy — have been vaccinated and treated.

President Asif Ali Zardari has directed authorities to keep machinery ready at the tehsil level, especially in low-lying and coastal belts. Continuous monitoring of Hub Dam and other reservoirs is underway to prevent urban flooding.

Climate change has intensified these challenges: Pakistan was ranked 8th most vulnerable country in the Global Climate Risk Index 2021, and Sindh bears the brunt.

Zulfiqar Bhutto Jr.: A New Bhutto Emerges

Amidst environmental and economic pressures, politics in Sindh is entering a new phase with the rise of Zulfiqar Bhutto Jr., son of the late Mir Murtaza Bhutto.

In March 2025, he announced his formal entry into politics, aligning himself with the PPP (Shaheed Bhutto Group). He strongly criticized Punjab’s irrigation projects as “cultural genocide,” highlighting Sindh’s water crisis.

By July 2025, he hinted at forming a new party with his sister Fatima Bhutto, aiming to revive the “original Bhutto ideals.” His outreach to Lyari — the Bhutto family’s historic bastion — signals his intent to reclaim lost ground. His promise to contest elections from Lyari has already energized disillusioned PPP voters.

Observers note that his appeal, particularly among youth and activists, may emerge as a counterbalance to mainstream PPP leadership.

The Murad Ali Shah Question: Rumors of Change

Speculation is rife over a possible change of Sindh’s Chief Minister. While the PPP leadership has issued no official confirmation, analysts link the rumors to growing internal rifts and public criticism of governance.

Murad Ali Shah, despite spearheading mega-projects like M-6 and flood preparedness, remains under judicial scrutiny. A 2018 judgment regarding dual Nationality by Justice Qazi Faez Isa raised questions about his reputation. Shah has since sought to transfer his appeal to a constitutional bench, hoping for relief.

Some political insiders suggest that the growing visibility of Bhutto Jr. and Fatima Bhutto has added pressure on the party to recalibrate leadership. Whether Shah survives this storm will depend on both his performance and the PPP’s internal calculus.

Conclusion: A Province in Transition

Sindh’s story today is one of contrasts. On one hand, motorways and bypasses hold the promise of economic revival; on the other, climate threats loom large, exposing millions to vulnerability. Judicial verdicts are safeguarding civic rights, while the health sector battles post-pandemic realities.

Politically, the Bhutto legacy is being reimagined by a younger generation, while rumors of change at the top keep the ruling PPP unsettled. In this dynamic landscape, one fact is certain: Sindh is at a defining moment where governance, resilience, and leadership will determine whether hope triumphs over hardship.

 The State of Humanity: A Reflection on Interests and Ethics

Mubasher Mir

In the contemporary global order, the dominance of interests over ethics has become increasingly visible. Both individuals and institutions appear driven more by self-preservation and strategic gain than by the pursuit of collective welfare. This shift is reflected in international indices such as the Human Development Index (HDI), which, despite measuring progress through life expectancy, education, and income, reveals disturbing disparities between economic strength and human well-being.

The Prioritization of State Interests

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has long emphasized that HDI rankings often mirror national economic clout more than the actual quality of life of citizens. Nations, while investing heavily in their defence and security apparatus, often neglect essential services like education, healthcare, and social welfare.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reported that global military expenditure surged to $2.24 trillion in 2022, dominated by the United States, China, and Russia. This figure dwarfs the allocations for sectors directly contributing to human welfare.

The Role of Powerful Countries in Major Political Conflicts

Powerful countries wield significant influence over global governance structures, yet their decisions frequently prioritize geopolitical advantage over humanitarian responsibility. The international arms trade, dominated by leading economies, continues to fuel conflicts, exacerbate instability, and empower regimes that commit human rights violations.

Selective silence also underscores this dynamic. While powers readily intervene in conflicts that threaten their interests, they often remain indifferent to humanitarian crises elsewhere.

Consequences of Prioritizing Interests Over Ethics

The pursuit of interests often leads to human rights abuses, with widespread suppression of free expression, restrictions on assembly, and systemic discrimination. Democratic backsliding is also prevalent, with the erosion of civil liberties, curtailment of media freedom, and weakening of checks and balances. Poverty and inequality persist, with many countries struggling to meet the Sustainable Development Goal of universal health coverage.

The Illusion of Peace and Security

Despite astronomical defence budgets, the world has not become safer. The Global Peace Index (GPI) shows that levels of global peacefulness have steadily declined over the past decade. Violent conflicts, terrorism, and militarization have destabilized several regions, undermining the very security that nations claim to be safeguarding.

Democracy and Governance in Question

Democracy, often celebrated as a universal ideal, is itself under strain. The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index 2022 reports widespread democratic regression, with 71 countries experiencing backsliding in recent years. This regression is marked by the erosion of civil liberties, curtailment of media freedom, and the weakening of checks and balances.

Post-COVID Authoritarianism and Suppression of Rights

The COVID-19 pandemic not only reshaped public health priorities but also redefined the relationship between states and their citizens. Under the banner of emergency management, many governments expanded their authority, introducing measures that, while initially justified as necessary for survival, have since evolved into mechanisms of control.

The narrative of “state interest” has grown stronger in the post-pandemic world. Governments often justify restrictions on freedom of movement, assembly, and expression as essential for security or stability. However, these measures have in many cases transformed into tools for silencing dissent.

Citizens demanding justice, activists struggling for their rights, or marginalized groups calling for recognition are frequently branded as “separatists,” “foreign agents,” or even “terrorists.” This tightening grip on civil liberties reflects a deeper global trend: the steady erosion of citizenship rights. From digital surveillance to arbitrary detentions, states increasingly demand compliance while punishing dissent.

Such developments raise pressing questions. If raising one’s voice in support of victims—whether at home or abroad—is treated as disloyalty, what space remains for human rights advocacy? If defending the oppressed is criminalized, can justice ever prevail?

The Fate of the Suppressed

History demonstrates that oppressed communities cannot indefinitely rely on external saviors. While international solidarity has moral value, the reality is that powerful states often weigh interventions against strategic interests rather than ethical imperatives.

The sobering truth is that liberation rarely arrives from outside; it must be forged within. Suppressed and marginalized groups must recognize their agency. Without collective organization, resilience, and self-reliance, their struggles risk being subsumed by the very powers that seek to silence them.

The Search for Ethics and Humanity

In this climate of competing interests, ethics and humanity appear scarce. Yet, history reminds us that societies thrive only when guided by moral responsibility. The search for leadership grounded in ethics remains urgent. A true leader is not one who amplifies the state’s power, but one who places human dignity at the heart of governance.

Conclusion

The world stands at a defining juncture. The prevailing narrative of interests—measured in military spending, geopolitical maneuvering, and short-term economic gain—overshadows the imperative of ethics. Yet genuine progress lies not in the accumulation of power but in the nurturing of human welfare, justice, and accountability.

To reshape the trajectory of global development, states must reorient their priorities. A balanced framework—where security does not eclipse social investment, and where economic ambition does not override ethical responsibility—is essential. The post-COVID era must not become a justification for authoritarianism, but rather an opportunity to reimagine governance rooted in dignity, freedom, and humanity.

Karachi Political Diary

 Karachi Political Diary

 Mubasher Mir

Pakistan today stands at a defining crossroads—between possibilities that can transform the nation and persistent challenges that continue to haunt its people. Diplomacy, technology, and intellectual progress offer rays of hope, but governmental negligence, judicial inefficiencies, and recurrent natural disasters overshadow these gains. The central question, from the bustling streets of Karachi to the power corridors of Islamabad and the diplomatic missions across the globe, remains the same: Can Pakistan harness its capabilities to overcome its crises, or will opportunities once again be lost to mismanagement?

Diplomacy: New Openings in Karachi

Karachi, Pakistan’s economic hub, has always been a gateway for foreign engagement. This week, two notable diplomatic developments highlight the city’s importance in the international arena.

First, the new German Consul General, Thomas Eberhard Schultz, assumed office in Karachi. His early meetings with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Governor Kamran Tessori have already set the tone for a more cooperative phase in Pakistan–Germany relations. Germany, as Pakistan’s fourth-largest trading partner in the European Union, has historically supported Pakistan in areas of renewable energy, technical education, and cultural exchange. Bilateral trade between the two countries currently hovers around €3.6 billion annually. Schultz’s presence in Karachi opens avenues for increased German investment in Sindh’s industrial and renewable energy sectors, provided Pakistan ensures transparency and governance.

Meanwhile, the United States has appointed Charles Goodman as the new Consul General in Karachi, effective August 28, 2025. Goodman is a seasoned diplomat with postings in Kosovo, New Zealand, Samoa, Lithuania, Georgia, Argentina, and Pakistan (Lahore, 2011). His extensive background in management and his private sector experience spanning two decades in financial services, real estate, and technology give him a unique blend of expertise. Goodman has already emphasized economic cooperation, trade partnerships, and cultural exchange, particularly between the people of Sindh and Balochistan and American citizens.

The appointment signifies a continuity of U.S. interest in Pakistan’s stability and development, even as Washington recalibrates its South Asia strategy post-Afghanistan. For Pakistan, such diplomatic gestures are a reminder that the world is willing to cooperate—if domestic performance matches external goodwill.

Governance on Trial: The Dumper Mafia Case

Diplomatic progress, however, stands in sharp contrast with domestic failures in governance. This week, the Sindh High Court (SHC) heard a petition against the “dumper mafia”—heavy trucks that recklessly roam Karachi’s roads, often without proper regulation. Petitioners revealed that more than 600 lives have been lost in road accidents involving dumpers in the last decade yet authorities remain indifferent.

The SHC’s remarks underline the state’s failure to enforce basic traffic and transport laws. Citizens argue that the police’s complicity, coupled with political patronage for these mafias, has turned Karachi’s roads into death traps. This case is more than just a traffic issue; it is a metaphor for Pakistan’s governance crisis—a system where the weak suffer while the powerful act with impunity. Unless institutions fulfill their constitutional duties, the citizens’ trust in the state will erode further.

Technology: A Ray of Hope

Amid these challenges, Pakistan has witnessed a breakthrough on the technology front. Jazz, the country’s leading telecom operator, has introduced 480-watt Massive MIMO technology for the first time. This upgrade has improved network performance by nearly 340%, paving the way for the long-awaited launch of 5G services.

Pakistan’s telecom sector contributes more than Rs 850 billion annually to the national economy With nearly 191 million cellular subscribers and 131 million broadband users, the sector’s expansion into advanced technologies signals Pakistan’s potential to integrate with the global digital economy. However, the question remains whether the regulatory framework and political vision will keep pace with innovation—or whether technological advances will remain isolated achievements in a broader climate of inefficiency.

Intellectual Capital: Leadership Beyond Business

Another positive development this week was the launch of renowned banker and intellectual Sirajuddin Aziz’s new book, “Corporate Success: Engaged Leadership.” The book emphasizes ethics, empathy, and engagement as pillars of leadership. It has been widely praised by intellectuals and corporate leaders as a guiding framework—not only for business but also for governance.

At a time when Pakistan’s political leadership is often accused of being reactive rather than visionary, Aziz’s message resonates deeply: sustainable success requires integrity, inclusiveness, and foresight. If policymakers and political actors absorb even a fraction of these principles, Pakistan can begin to rebuild its fractured social contract.

Climate Reality: The Looming Floods

While intellectual and technological progress offers hope, nature has once again cast a shadow. The Indus River is swelling, and moderate flooding is feared at Guddu, Sukkur, and Kotri barrages. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), water inflows have already surpassed 350,000 cusecs at Guddu, threatening downstream districts such as Kashmore, Shikarpur, Khairpur, Dadu, and Thatta.

The specter of the 2022 floods, which displaced 33 million people and caused $30 billion in damages, still looms large. Experts warn that the Sindh government appears unprepared, despite repeated pledges to strengthen embankments and improve disaster response. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued alerts, but local administrations lack the capacity to provide immediate relief. For residents of riverine Sindh, the question is heartbreaking yet familiar: Will they again be left to sleep under the open sky?

A Tale of Two Pakistans

What emerges from this week’s developments is a tale of two Pakistans.

On one hand, diplomatic engagement, technological innovation, and intellectual output showcase the country’s immense potential. Germany and the U.S. are ready for cooperation; telecom giants are pushing toward 5G; and thought leaders like Sirajuddin Aziz are providing frameworks for progress.

On the other hand, governance paralysis, judicial inertia, and climate vulnerability continue to inflict suffering. The dumper mafia case epitomizes impunity, while looming floods remind us of systemic neglect.

This dichotomy highlights Pakistan’s most pressing dilemma: possibilities exist, but without institutional will, they cannot translate into reality.

The Human Dimension

Beyond statistics and policy debates, it is the ordinary citizen of Karachi, Sukkur, or Dadu who bears the brunt. For the middle-class commuter fearing dumpers, the farmer in Khairpur praying for embankments to hold, or the student in Larkana hoping for stable internet, these issues are not abstract—they define survival and dignity.

Diplomatic ties mean little if citizens remain unprotected; technology will not matter if floods wash away homes; books on leadership cannot inspire unless leaders embody those values. The measure of Pakistan’s progress must be human well-being, not merely international appointments or technical launches.

The Way Forward

Pakistan must adopt far-sighted strategies instead of short-term fixes.

1. Governance Reform – Strict enforcement against mafias, depoliticized policing, and judicial accountability must become priorities.

2. Disaster Preparedness – Sindh must learn from 2022 by strengthening embankments, improving early warning systems, and allocating real budgets for relief.

3. Diplomatic Leverage – Appointments like Schultz and Goodman should be used to attract investment in energy, education, and infrastructure.

4. Technological Advancement – 5G preparation must be aligned with digital governance reforms to ensure equitable access.

5. Leadership Ethics – A shift toward integrity, empathy, and service is essential if politics is to regain public trust.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s story remains one of untapped potential and recurring crises. The world stands ready to engage, knowledge and technology are advancing, and intellectual voices offer guidance. Yet, governance paralysis, judicial gaps, and climate disasters continue to erode the nation’s strength.

The balance is delicate. If Pakistan embraces visionary leadership, institutional accountability, and human-centered development, possibilities can turn into realities. If not, the challenges will harden into permanent scars.

At this critical juncture, the choice is ours: to rise with wisdom and courage, or to drift with negligence into repeated failures.