Acting Sindh Governor Nisar Khuhro on Friday signed the Local Government Bill 1979 into law, despite protests by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.
The Local Government Ordinance 1979 stands restored across Sindh after the signing.
A few hours earlier, Khuhro appointed MQM MPA Syed Sardar Ahmed as leader of the opposition in the Sindh Assembly.
On Thursday, the Sindh Assembly announced the repeal of Sindh Peoples’ Local Government Ordinance (SPLGO) 2012. The move came a few days after the MQM parted ways with the PPP both in the Centre as well as the province.
The move has infuriated the MQM, whose members staged a walkout from the National Assembly session on Friday
The MQM lawmakers had already submitted a letter to the Sindh Assembly speaker on February 18 for allocation of seats to the members to discharge their duties as members of the opposition.
The MQM on Friday decided to nominate Syed Sardar Ahmed, elected on PS-116, as leader of the opposition.
The MQM was the second largest party in the Sindh Assembly after the PPP with 51 MPAs and parted ways with the PPP over a host of issues, including withdrawal of criminal cases against alleged Lyari gangsters.
Still, certain sections of the media believe that there is some understanding “understanding” between the PPP and MQM over the latter’s going into the opposition.
Talking to reporters, MQM’s Deputy Parliamentary Leader Syed Faisal Sabzwari rejected the reports that there was an “understanding” with the PPP over going to the opposition.
He said they were in majority in the opposition as they enjoyed support of 51 legislators.
Sabzwari said even barring their party’s ministers, they had support of 40 MPAs, thus they were in majority to be allotted the opposition leader’s slot to their nominee.
Meanwhile, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad left for London to meet MQM chief Altaf Hussain, sources said on Friday.
The party chief decided to hold a meeting with governor after imposition of the Local government Act 1979 in Sindh, which has furthered the rifts between the PPP and MQM.
Sources said the MQM would likely opt for the resignation of Ebad, as it could prove a milestone before the general election.
On Thursday, a meeting was held between the members of MQM’s coordination committee. Condemning the act of government, the party leaders said the SPLGA was passed after lengthy discussions and consultations between both the parties (MQM and PPP) and in the interest of people of Sindh.
It was decided in the meeting that the MQM would start a legal and constitutional struggle against the dissolution of the local government system, and it would make every democratic effort to devolve the powers at the lowest level.
