KARACHI: Minister for Local Government, Housing and Town Planning, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, has said that the powers of the Deputy Mayor and Vice Chairmen are being increased so that they can perform their duties more effectively. He said that the devolution of powers to the grassroots level is the real solution to public problems.
He expressed these views while addressing the Sindh Local Government Conference 2025 held at a local hotel.
The conference was attended by the President of the Local Council Association of Pakistan and Chairman of District Council Sukkur, Syed Kamil Haider Shah, President of Local Council Association Sindh, Gul Muhammad Jakhrani, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Deputy Mayor Karachi Salman Abdullah Murad, Mayor Sukkur Arsalan Shaikh, and other dignitaries.
Nasir Hussain Shah said that all recommendations presented at the conference will be implemented. He stated that Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has issued special directives to resolve the issues of elected representatives on an urgent basis and to carry out necessary legislation. He added that for legislation, elected representatives should share their suggestions so that more effective laws can be formulated.
He further said that through new legislation, when the next local government elections are held, the current elected representatives will continue to hold their positions until the complete transfer of powers. No administrators will be appointed anymore.
Nasir Shah said that Sindh has the most empowered and strongest local government system in the entire country. In accordance with the vision of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, further legislation is being carried out to devolve powers to the lowest level and to strengthen elected local government representatives.
President of the Local Council Association of Pakistan and Chairman District Council Sukkur, Syed Kamil Haider Shah, in his address said that the Local Council Association is acting as a bridge between the provincial government and local government representatives. He said that 98 percent of elected local government chairmen in Sindh belong to the Pakistan Peoples Party. Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the Chief Minister of Sindh have assured that the elected Vice Chairmen will be further empowered.
He added that mayors and chairmen should be given a role in every department. District Council members are not given any TA/DA or any kind of allowance; therefore, funds should be allocated for District Council members in the budget. He emphasized that the continuity of local government elections will strengthen the local councils.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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