KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport, and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon stated that everyone witnessed the Sindh Assembly proceedings on Monday; true to form, the MQM created a ruckus during the passage of the Local Government Amendment Bill.
He noted that while the government could have tabled the bill unilaterally, a committee comprising members from various parties had been formed to ensure inclusivity.
The MQM had supported all the clauses of the bill within the committee but has now backtracked on its stance upon reaching the Assembly, a long-standing pattern of behaviour for the party.
Speaking to the media alongside Law and Home Affairs Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar following the Assembly session, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon remarked that the MQM has effectively rebelled against its own leader.
He pointed out that Mustafa Kamal had previously labelled Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui an agent of RAW, yet today, Kamal works under that very same individual. If his past statement was incorrect, Mustafa Kamal should come forward and apologize. He clarified that the bill did not entail major amendments; while the government holds the authority to appoint an administrator upon the expiration of local government tenures, the administration’s aim is to ensure the continuity of the local government system.
The Senior Minister described the MQM’s attitude as hypocritical. He stated that the government advocates for handing over solid waste management responsibilities to local government bodies and ensuring that the police remain accountable to the elected representatives of these institutions. He further contrasted the two provinces, noting that while the Election Commission issues directives to the Punjab government, which often refuses to acknowledge them, the Sindh government consistently complies with the Commission’s orders. Local government bodies in Sindh are more empowered compared to those in other provinces. He noted that the MQM had also boycotted elections one day prior in the past.
Speaking to the media, Law and Home Affairs Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar stated that the Local Government Amendment Bill was on today’s agenda; a special Assembly committee, comprising members from various parties, including the MQM, PTI, and Jamaat-e-Islami, had been formed to deliberate on it. He remarked that if these parties had objections to the bill, they should have voiced their opposition within the committee itself. The committee held detailed discussions on every clause of the bill; members presented their proposals, and the government accepted them.
Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar explained that 120 days before the local bodies’ term expires, the Sindh government will write to the Election Commission, notifying it of the impending conclusion of the term and requesting preparations for elections. Once the election schedule is announced, the powers of elected representatives will be frozen, and the remaining authority will be transferred to the Election Commission and Returning Officers.
He mentioned that while the MQM had demanded a 90-day timeframe, the government opted for 120 days to ensure adequate time for election preparations.
The Law Minister Zia-ul-Hassan stated that the government desires continuity in the local government system and is striving to hold local government elections on schedule.
He noted that the government has designated the Deputy Mayor and Vice Chairman as conveners; in fact, they are empowering the Chairman, and the police will also recognize the Chairman’s authority. He added that while the MQM could have boycotted the bill if they objected to it, their conduct today was undemocratic, especially given that he had already briefed the Leader of the Opposition on all related matters.
Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar stated that these people are fearful and are still running away. He asked what ill intent could possibly lie in granting powers to conciliation committees. He clarified that the government’s objective is to make local government bodies more effective and empowered, and to maintain democratic continuity.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026