SC points finger at restoration of 1979 local bodies act in Sindh

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Thursday stated that after the repealing of one law another never comes into force by itself thus the court would still discuss the restored 1979 Sindh local bodies act.

He made these remarks while heading a three-judge bench comprising Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Sh. Azmat Saeed during the hearing of petitions against the Sindh People's Local Bodies Ordinance, 2012.

During the course of proceeding, Zameer Ghomroo, a petitioner apprised the court that the Sindh government has repealed the ordinance thus his application stands void.

Additional Advocate General Sindh presented the cancellation papers of Sindh People's Local Bodies Ordinance, 2012 and stated that after the cancellation of the ordinance, local bodies act of 1979 has been restored in the province.

Upon which, the CJ remarked that the issue would not settle in this manner, the court has to see the other side of the application as well.

The CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry said that the two queries arise after the cancellation of the ordinance that whether during the whole exercise, Article 264 and 140-A of the constitution were kept in consideration or not.

He stated after the repealing of one law another never comes into force itself and the discussion would be made on the topic.

The CJ questioned that who would be held responsible for the wastage of time and money while crafting the Sindh People's Local Bodies Ordinance, 2012 which was repealed later on.

The bench then adjourned the hearing for three weeks while issuing notice to the Attorney General.