LG Ordinance promulgated: Sindh coalition split widens over PPP-MQM deal

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan on Friday promulgated Sindh People’s Local Government Ordinance, 2012.

Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah signed the summary of the new ordinance and forwarded it to the Governor.

Both coalition partners – Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) — reached a consensus after days of deliberations on the new local government system.

According to drafted ordinance, five cities in the province, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana and Mirpurkhas, will have metropolitan corporations headed by mayors. There would be metropolitan councils under the metropolitan corporations. The remaining 18 districts will have district councils headed by chairman and deputy chairman. The status of 18 towns in Karachi revived while the union councils will be under the town councils. The five districts would continue to ease administrative affairs.

The metropolitan corporation will have control of civil institutions, primary schools, rural health centers and other departments, while police and revenue departments, Lyari Development Authority and Malir Development Authority work under the Sindh Government.

The commissioner and deputy commissioner would continue looking after the revenue and law and order situation, while chief metropolitan officers would also be appointed, who will share powers with commissioners.

Administrators would be appointed in all towns and metropolitan cities till local government elections are held.

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon told media persons that both coalition partners had evolved a consensus on the new local government system.

Member of MQM’s Rabita Committee and provincial minister Raza Haroon termed the decision historic and said that the Sindh government had introduced a democratic local government system that would be equally beneficial for all citizens of the province.

Another Rabita Committee member, Wasay Jalil, said that administrators would be appointed after consultation. 

Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Governor Sindh Dr. Ishtat ul Ebad Khan were also attended the hours long meeting.

Among others, who attended the meeting, included Farooq Sattar, Babar Ghauri, Raza Haroon, Wasay Jalil, Dr Farukh Naseem, Kanwar Naveed Jamil from MQM. PPP was represented by Agha Siraj Durrani, Ayaz Soomro, Murad Ali Shah, Rafique Engineer, Sharjeel Memon and Pir Mazharul Haq.

The decision to issue new local government ordinance was taken after a more than 10-hour-long meeting between PPP and MQM representatives.