‘Old LG system to be altered to MQM’s liking’

In order to accommodate the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)’s reservations on restoration of commissionerate system in the province, the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has formally agreed to amend the Sindh Local Government Ordinance, 1979.
“Some changes could be made in the old local government system,” said Sindh Law Minister Ayaz Soomro, responding to a question at a press conference on Wednesday.
The press conference was convened by the minister to announce the reinstatement of 621 employees discharged from services during the last tenure of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML)-Nawaz group.
It is worth mentioning that PML-F leader Pir Sadruddin Shah Rashdi had hinted at bringing some changes in the old local government system recently and according to official sources, the Law Department is working on preparing a draft in this regard.
Soomro said that all allied parties would be taken onboard about the changes in the local government system; however, he added, the Sindh government, at the same time, would effectively defend the restoration of commissionerate system in the court of law.
He said the government has hired the services of prominent lawyer Abdul Hafeez Pirzada to represent the government in petitions filed by the MQM against the revival of commissionerate system.
Responding to another question, the law minister said that the decision on resignations of the MQM ministers would be reached within 48 hours. He, however, did not reveal what decision would be taken, despite the relationship between both parties improving after rejoining of office by MQM-backed Sindh governor and the PPP’s decision to withdraw its candidates in AJK Assembly in favour of the MQM.
Speaking at the press conference earlier, Soomro announced the reinstatement of services of 621 employees – majority of them of the Education Department – removed during the last tenure of Nawaz Sharif. The minister assured the workers reinstated that they will receive their benefits in instalments and also the promotions due during the period.
The law minister said that a total of 1,848 people had contacted the committee constituted by the Sindh government to review cases of employees dismissed. The remaining employees were not reinstated because courts had given decisions on petitions filed by most of them while others, who were not restored, were either facing corruption charges or had obtained new jobs.