New law for local govt to be framed after Eidul Azha

This was announced in a joint press conference by PPP and MQM leaders at Chief Minister House here on Saturday.

PPP leader senior Provincial Minister for Education, Pir Mazhar-ul- Haq, and MQM's Health Minister Dr Sagheer Ahmed said that the law will be tabled in the provincial assembly for approval after thorough debate whether to introduce the Commissionerate System or continue with the current local government system run by the DCOs.

"It is manifesto of the PPP to serve the masses without any discrimination," Pir Mazhar remarked.

He said the present PPP leadership led by President Asif Ali Zardari has always defended the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and expressed his determination to continue her mission and policy of reconciliation in the greater national interest.

In his comments, Dr Sagheer Ahmed said that the MQM will continue to work for the solidarity and integrity.

"Our leader and MQM Chief Altaf Hussain has always worked for the cause of the country and extended all support to PPP," he said.

He said MQM has made no demands or placed no preconditions for the policy on local government.

He said the MQM always promotes brotherhood not in Sindh province alone but in other parts of the country as well.

In his brief telephonic address to the media, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah said the Commissionerate System of governance has not been a major issue as has been portrayed in different circles.

"PPP and MQM want to make Pakistan stronger through political reconciliation," he added.

The press conference was also attended by other leaders of PPP and MQM.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011