Acting Sindh Governor Nisar Khuhro on Friday signed the Local Government Bill 1979 into law, despite protests by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).
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 is 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” between the PPP and MQM over the latter’s going into the opposition.
‘NO UNDERSTANDING’: Talking to reporters, MQM’s Deputy Parliamentary Leader Syed Faisal Sabzwari rejected reports that there was an “understanding” with the PPP over the MQM’s going into 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.
EBAD LEAVES FOR UK: 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 the governor after the imposition of the Local Government Act 1979 in Sindh. Sources said the MQM would likely opt for Ebad’s resignation, as it could benefit the party before the general election.
