"Media organisations must promote responsible journalism."
Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Memon has launched a strong public attack on television host Tabish Hashmi over controversial remarks about Karachi’s governance.
The minister’s reaction came days after comments aired on a private channel sparked outrage across political and social circles.
Speaking to journalists, Sharjeel Memon criticised what he described as irresponsible commentary targeting Karachi and Sindh.
Without directly naming the host, he dismissed the remarks as “foolish” and “stupid,” questioning the speaker’s grasp of constitutional realities.
“The individual who said this had neither studied constitutional law nor understood Sindh’s historical and geographical importance.”
He added that such claims revealed “a serious lack of awareness about Sindh’s constitutional role within Pakistan.”
The senior minister urged the private television channel to conduct an internal probe into the broadcast and take disciplinary measures.
He stressed: “Media organisations must promote responsible journalism and avoid spreading misleading narratives about Karachi and Sindh.”
Memon also highlighted Sindh’s foundational contribution to the creation of Pakistan, cautioning against casual remarks about provincial identity.
The controversy erupted after Tabish Hashmi commented on Karachi’s governance following the devastating Gul Plaza fire incident.
During the programme, Hashmi suggested privatising Karachi, drawing parallels with the government’s decision to privatise Pakistan International Airlines.
He remarked: “If the government realised it could not run PIA and decided to privatise it, then Karachi should also be privatised.
“We, the people of Karachi Pathan, Baloch, Sindhi, Muhajir, Punjabi, will handle it ourselves.”
Hashmi added that citizens could manage the city better, claiming: “It cannot be run worse than this.”
His remarks immediately triggered backlash, particularly from Sindh government officials and political stakeholders.
The blaze destroyed the iconic shopping centre, a multi-storey complex housing nearly 1200 shops.
The plaza was known for selling children’s clothing, toys, crockery and various household items.
According to official updates, rescue teams have recovered more than 79 bodies so far.
Search operations continue as authorities assess the full scale of human and material losses.
Sharjeel Memon argued that tragedies require accountability and reform rather than sweeping statements about privatisation.
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He maintained that emotional reactions must not override constitutional principles or undermine provincial autonomy.
Memon reiterated that governance failures should be addressed through policy reforms, institutional strengthening and responsible leadership.
He called on media platforms to recognise their influence and avoid framing debates that distort facts.
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