ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Sindh and Punjab provinces to early complete the Local Bodies (LB) and Cantonment boards election process.
The court also directed the provincial government of Balochistan to activate local government system through an ordinance otherwise the court would decide the matter.
The court also directed the Advocate General of Sindh to submit reply on behalf of provincial government in a contempt of court application for not transferring the powers to local bodies representatives.
The three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali and comprising Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman heard the case.
During the course of proceedings, petitioner Raja Rab Nawaz appeared before the bench and stated that powers were not transferred to local bodies representatives despite passing one year. He said that offices had not been allocated to representatives still which was against court orders.
He pleaded the court to initiate contempt of court proceedings for not following its orders.
The chief justice remarked that the court would examine the matter after completion of election process in whole cantonment boards of the country.
The counsel for Mayor Quetta stated that his client has neither financial power nor administrative power.
Ayyaz Swati Additional Advocate General for Balochistan told the court that the provincial government had increased powers of local bodies representatives. The government also issued funds to local bodies representatives, he added.
The chief justice remarked that transfer of powers is only on papers without legislation. The court asked Swati to inform that why powers were not transferred to local government representatives according to new system.
The Secretary Law Balochistan told the court that the ministry had forwarded a amended local bodies act to provincial government cabinet for approval.
Justice Amir Hani Muslim asked the Secretary Law to enforce the bill through ordinance in two weeks.
Later, hearing of the case was adjourned for an indefinite period.
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