Sindh CM announces to make amendments to 'controversial' LG bill

Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said on Wednesday that his cabinet had decided to make amendments to the Local Government Bill as per the agreement with the Jamat-e-Islami (JI).

"The committee will be headed by minister Nasir Hussain Shah and will make decisions in two weeks," he said while talking to reporters. Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman was also present. 

Shah said the local body law was passed in a “hurry”, stating that the PPP-led provincial government had to present the law to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) before November 30. 

He said Sindh Minister for Local Government Nasir Hussain Shah talked to the political parties for amendments in the Local Government Act of 2013 and contacted the stakeholders. 

“Nasir Shah wrote letters to the parties for their suggestions before drafting the law,” he added.

The CM said that JI demanded return of health and education institutions to the local government, adding that the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) needs provincial government’s support.

Talking about the sit-in staged by the JI, Shah said that the party came up with a political and democratic solution. 

“Sindh is the only province to pass the Local Government Act in the assembly.”