Remarks over Article 149 were taken out of context: FM Shah

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has assured Sindh’s lawmakers that the remarks of the law minister over the invocation of Article 149 (4) in Karachi were taken out of context.

While addressing a session of the National Assembly, the foreign minister said that the government has always respected the constitution, “We have no intentions to mess with your (Sindh) government for no reason.”

Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s recent speech was related to Federal Law and Justice Minister Farogh Naseem’s hint at the possible invocation of Article 149 (4) in Karachi garnered fierce opposition from across Sindh.

The foreign minister said, “We respect the Constitution, have always done so and will do so in the future too. Sindh is an integral part of Pakistan and we will not damage provincial autonomy in any manner.”

Read also: Statement about invoking Article 149(4) in Karachi is misquoted: Naseem

Earlier on Wednesday, Farogh Naseem revealed that the federal government was considering to take over the administrative affairs of Karachi by enforcing a constitutional clause.

Several politicians, writers, intellectuals and civil society activists reacted and termed Naeem’s statement a conspiracy against Pakistan and demanded his resignation.

Later, the federal ministers responded that his statement regarding the imposition of Article 149 (4) to solve the worsening condition in Karachi was taken out of context.

Under Article 149 (4), the executive authority of the Federation shall also extend to the giving of directions to a province as to the manner in which the executive authority thereof is to be exercised for preventing any grave menace to the peace or tranquility or economic life of Pakistan or any part thereof.