Amended LG bill passed despite ruckus in Sindh Assembly 

KARACHI: Despite an uproar by opposition members and a scuffle between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers and treasury members in the Sindh Assembly on Saturday, the Sindh Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2021 was passed. 

When the bill was presented by Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah before the House, opposition members stood on their seats and tore up copies of the agenda. They gathered in front of the speaker’s rostrum and they raised slogans as the ‘bill is not acceptable’.

According to the provisions of the amendment bill, towns will be formed in six divisional headquarters of Sindh including Karachi. The election of chairmen of towns and municipal committees will be done through show of hands. However, clause to hold election of chairpersons of local body councils by secret ballot was withdrawn.

In the Local Government Amendment Bill, local body councils have been given powers in the affairs of nine provincial departments. Local government councils will be included in the affairs of Sindh Police.

According to the bill, the SSP will be bound to liaise with the concerned local body chairman. Police officers will report to the local council on police matters and law and order. Local government representatives will not have the power in prosecution, police administration and criminal cases.

‘Opposition was indulging in linguistic politics’

Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah addressed the House on the occasion, criticising the opposition for protesting against the bill. 

Reacting to the opposition’s criticism, he said, “Are we occupying the Sindh Assembly?" He then alleged the opposition was indulging in linguistic politics.

In an apparent criticism of the MQM, the chief minister commented: "The one who created linguistic differences is sitting in London. You have disowned him but have not dissociated from his ideology."