Karachi: Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has said Karachi's real problem is not a shortage of resources but poor governance, mismanagement, incompetence, and corruption.

Addressing the presidential session of a 'Karachi: From Decline to Revival' stakeholders' roundtable conference held at a local hotel, he stated that feudal and landlord elites dominate politics and government in the name of democracy and remain in control of Karachi's resources and institutions. He added that even if the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) continue to rule Karachi for another 20 years, the city's problems will not be solved.

He further said the establishment must also be held accountable for imposing rejected representatives on the people of Karachi, alleging that the public mandate in local government elections was stolen and the mayoralty was taken away.

He said that citizens of Karachi have the right to a mega-city government, with powers and resources devolved to the grassroots in line with the 18th Constitutional Amendment and Article 140-A, granting financial and administrative authority to local bodies.

He vowed that the JI would stage a sit-in outside the Sindh Assembly on February 14 for Karachi's rights, resolution of civic issues, and an empowered city government. He urged all stakeholders to join the struggle, saying collective resistance would force both the government and establishment to grant Karachi its due rights.

Other speakers at the conference included Monem Zafar Khan, Atiq Mir, Arif Qasim, Salman Chawla, Shabbir Mansha, Sheikh Tahseen, Babar Khan, Saad Zuberi, Farhat Adil, Aslam Khan, Saad Abdul Wahab, and senior journalist Munazza Siddiqui.

Among other issues, the speakers discussed Karachi's infrastructure cess and development funds amounting to Rs3,360 billion that have not been spent on the city.

Business leaders said no government institution in Karachi is functioning effectively, and corruption and lack of ownership remain core issues.

Concerns were raised over unplanned construction, inaccurate population counts, poor disaster management, and the absence of a comprehensive master plan.

Traders reportedly pay Rs280 billion annually in infrastructure cess yet see little benefit.

Speakers noted Karachi drives Pakistan's economy but receives only about 1.5% of the provincial budget.

Participants emphasized that Karachi's decline stems from governance failures and lack of political will, calling for unified demands to secure the city's rights and revival.