Supreme Court (SC) has been moved against the new local bodies system promulgated in Sindh through an ordinance by the Sindh governor.
The petitioner pleaded that the enforcement of the new local governments system will usher the province into an era of dual system, saying, “With promulgation of the new system, there will be two parallel systems prevalent in Sindh.”
The petition was filed at the apex court’s Karachi Registry branch. It should be mentioned here that Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan on Friday’s wee hours promulgated Sindh Peoples Local Government Ordinance (SPLGO) 2012 after the two allies reached consensus on the new local body system. But the other smaller parties including ANP, PML (F) and Sindhi nationalists vehemently opposed the local government law. Under the new system, Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpur Khas and Larkana are given status of divisions. Mayors would head the metropolitan corporations of all five divisions. Moreover, Karachi’s 18 towns have been restored. The system has also removed the urban-rural divide. The two parties have also incorporated roles of both commissioners and administrators.
CM assures to pacify party MPAs over new ordinance
The Sindh Assembly members of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have demanded that towns should function under the Sindh government instead of metropolitan corporations as envisaged in the new local government law. Talking to media, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah said he had assured the party MPAs that their proposal will be considered, adding the departments of fisheries, finance and revenue will work under the provincial government but the water board’s fate was still uncertain. Replying a question regarding the nationalists’ protest, Qaim Ali Shah said they did not even read the ordinance and were making scene; instead, they should read the document. The Sindh People’s Local Government Ordinance (SPLGO) 2012 has increased troubles for the PPP-led government, as the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) is all geared up to sever ties with the federal government. It should be mentioned here that the PML-F had already parted ways with the provincial government in protest over the promulgation of the local bodies ordinance in Sindh. The party’s MNA Khuda Bux Rajar submitted his resignation with his party chief Pir Pagara, who prevented him from functioning the government duties.
