Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal, has stated that no proposal is currently under consideration to place Karachi under federal administration.
Speaking on the Geo News programme Naya Pakistan, the minister said that the federal government is facing financial challenges under the existing National Finance Commission (NFC) Award formula due to revenue-sharing arrangements with the provinces.
He added that the current framework has also made it difficult for the federal government to complete strategically important development projects.
Mr Iqbal said the government is not proposing the abolition of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). However, he suggested that provincial governments should be responsible for providing financial assistance to beneficiaries residing within their respective provinces.
He argued that, under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, poverty alleviation programmes fall within the jurisdiction of provincial governments.
Responding to a question regarding Karachi’s administrative status, the minister reiterated that there is no proposal under consideration to bring the city under federal control.
