- RSS
- Today's Paper
- Subscribe
- beta 2.1
Alerts
Sindh LG Ordinance challenged in Supreme Court
System would bitterly divide rural and urban populace, would lead to more complexities in society, states petition.
System would bitterly divide rural and urban populace, would lead to more complexities in society, states petition. PHOTO: EXPRESS/ RASHID AJMERI
KARACHI: Within twenty four hours of its promulgation, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court against the Sindh Peoples Government Local Bodies Ordinance 2012, requesting that it be declared null and void.
The petition, which was filed in the Supreme Court’s Karachi Registry by ‘City Alliance’ petitioner Syed Muhammad Iqbal Kazmi of Pakistan Qaumi Movement, maintains that the ordinance’s promulgation while assemblies are present is against the law.
The petition stated that the “system would bitterly divide the rural and urban populace and would lead to more complexities in society” and that there would be two different systems in one single province.
The petitioner cited Governor Sindh, Chief Minister Sindh, Sindh Secretaries Law, Local Government Chief Secretary as respondents in the petition.
He maintains that both Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) and ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) remained in negotiations for almost two years during which 15 sessions of the provincial assembly were held.
A number of legislations including the Private Partnership Bill, Sindh Zakat Bill and Indus University Bill were introduced but the Local Government Bill was not tabled.
The petitioner maintains that there was no emergency situation in the province as for the almost four years, coalition partners had remained silent.
He said that suddenly, a discriminatory law was passed in the dark of the night to the detriment of the interest of the general public at large.
The ordinance, as per the petition, is in violation of “Articles 4, 5, 8, 25, 32 and 140”.
The articles mentioned in the petition are fundamental rights of individuals, following the Constitution, laws inconsistent with or in derogation of fundamental rights to be void, equality of citizens, the promotion of local government institutions, and the devolution of political, administrative and financial responsibility and authority to elected representatives of the local governments.
The ordinance states that civil defence, community development and organization, road networks for fisheries in the cities, civil welfare, games and sports board, culture, primary schools, technical education, finance and planning, basic health departments, chidren and womens’ health and other departments have been given to metropolitan corporations.
Other departments include Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) and Karachi Development Authority (KDA) land departments as well as the collection of property tax and other charges.
Health and safety systems, water treatment plants, sewerage system and drainage boards will also come under the same.
Read more:
LocalGovernment
Reader Comments (34)
Sindh Latest Stories
PTI leader Zahra Shahid Hussain shot dead in Karachi
Hussain was the central vice president of the party and member of the central executive committee of the party.
PPP also boycotts re-election in NA-250
ECP has not heard our grievances and we have been pushed to the wall, says Rashid Rabbani, PPP candidate for NA-250.
Re-polling in two constituencies of Sindh ordered
Re-elections for some polling stations of NA-229 and NA-230 ordered by ECP.
MWM decides to boycott NA-250 re-polling
Our workers were kidnapped before elections and released after polling ended, claims Allama Amin Shaheedi.
From Kalat to Karachi: ‘Orphans’ with parents
Children sent to orphanage to save them from a life scarred by militancy.
Inside job?: US citizen of Pakistan origin rescued in encounter from DHA
Police suspect that the kidnapped person’s friend could have been involved with the gang.
Parallel courts: SHC orders police to arrest a tribal chieftain
The bench also sent a man, Tariq Ali, who had received Rs150,000 awarded by the jirga to jail.
SHC seeks record of SC decision to dismiss govt’s plea against local bodies elections
Another petitioner has gone to court seeking elections.
Election-related ads: SHC asks KMC to submit details of money collected
The high court says the funds can be used for payment of employees’ dues.
Polling stations or constituency won’t do, JI demands re-elections in all of Karachi
Party leaders say that the responsibility for deteriorating law and order situation will be on ECP.
Recent Slideshows
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed or derived from.
Unless otherwise stated, all content is copyrighted © 2013 The Express Tribune News Network.
Technical feedback? [email protected]
People elect their representatives in the assemblies so that the elected representatives will act in the interested of the masses, but unfortunately in Pakistan no elected representative after his or her election works to solve the problems faced by a common man in the country.
Local Bodies Ordinance 2012 is nothing more than a “Bunder Bant” between the PPP and MQM(A).
Three political coalition partners have already partway.
People living in Sindh expect from the Supreme Court that it will take up the case and will deliver the verdict which is in the larger interest of the people.
Recommend
I do not understand why Sindhi nationalists are blaming LB ordinance for dividing Sindh on Urban/ Rural bases when the fact is Sindh was already divided on Urban/Rural bases by Quota System. Why didn’t the take the similar stance when Quota System was introduced and opposed it saying” One Sindh; One System”.
Recommend
@mystreeman:
What you mean is that one wrong can be used as an excuse to do another wrong?Recommend
@Hairaan: well at east you accepted Quota System was wrong. Let Sindhi nationalist vocally say that Quota System was wrong and get rid of that. Sindh LB act can be discussed later.
Recommend
When the elected members take a decision, should it not be implemented, why do we keep on asking and invovling supreme court and at the same say that the judiciary is biased, if the elected members keep on taking decisons for personal benefit and ignore the electoral, then the whole democratic set up is a farce as it has proven so far…we are in a complex situation…it proves that that you need honest competent and caring leadership no matter where it comes from..be it democracy or dictatorship.
Recommend
LBO in the dark of the night! Is this Democracy? It is dictatorship controlled through Governor House and Presidency. Down with MQM and PPP.
Recommend
Urban and rural divide is there, with or without the ordinance. PPP and MQM count for 140+ seats in 160+ Sindh assembly. What is wrong with the majority in assembly (=majority in province by definition of democracy) agreeing in LG system after intense negotiation? This petition will be dismissed by Supreme Court in the first hearing.
Recommend
ppp which is under the control of AAZ is trying to influence upcoming general elections by appointing handpicked officials in LG as most of the polling staff is taken from LG.
AAZ is a fox but people are familiar to him now.Recommend
all over the world, there are different type of local govts for urban areas and rural areas.
Recommend
MQM is blackmailing PPP to complete its old agenda to divide Sindh and split the nation in ethnicity. Allah save us Pakistan from these so called politicians who are acting to fulfill their Master’s agenda.
Recommend
@mystreeman:
you have raised the point of quota system, what quota system are you talking about, institutions of karachi are closed for sindhi people, if you have the time, go and read the prospectus of karachi university, n.e.d university, daood and other universities of karachi, how many seats they have secured for interior sindh which starts from hyd to ghotki. sindhi student couldn’t get the admission in those institutions of karachi, where domicile of interior sindh is not recommended. what a pitty is that? in one’s home, his own sons are roaring and wondering for getting admission.
Sindh accepted everybody in its Bailey, but some people still couldn’t accept the sindh properly.Recommend
i have born in karachi, live in karachi at my age till now, i have gone through all those past days when 2002 local body system was introduced. examined each and every thing very critically, and come to the conclusion that local body system has been adopted through out the world. but in sindh, specially in karachi, its nothing but to giving power to one nation or one party.
however some parts of karachi had been developed rapidly during the era of musharaf while l.g system was there and under the supervision of one so called nazim, but i have question which clicks in mind for years, tell me the name of any one project which was started in liyari, malir, old karachi, pepri during the those days. such areas where neglected completely, and rights of people had been suppressed only because of they didn’t vote that party.Recommend
@ Bukhari,
Nazims responsibility was the main arteries of the city, within an area its responsibility of the town nazim. So if within the area the services were provided ask the Town Nazim.
I have been to Malir and have seen many parks and Road developed (not just recarpeted), where have you been living my friend, if you want bridges and underpass in Malir then its another story because its very congested. And also people of Malir have always voted for MQM.
As for people of Lyari, Liyari water supply project was historic. Roads to the area were developed (not just carpeted). People of bhitshaw islands were provided with water supply, none of them gave vote to mqm. roads were constructed to connect neighboring goths to city, what more do you want ??
Recommend
This is a bad law. If at all it should be debated in Provincial Assembly in detail and then a decision be taken. Any Ordinance passed by any governor in middle of night is a bad law in my opinion
Recommend
Great and brave move to avoid divide by Sindh. Its is BLACK DAY FOR SINDH Why issued ordinance when assembly is working and on requisition call session of provincial assembly will be start immediately.
Recommend
@Nasir Mahmood: Oh really; is it MQM who wants to divide the nation on ethnicity or was the nation not already divided on ethnic basis when MQM was born? PPP= Sindhi, ANP= Pashtun; PML (N) Punjabi
Recommend
@Bukhari (voice of sindh): You are not voice of SIndh, how could you be the voice of Sindh that does not represent Urban dwellers of SIndh!
Recommend
@Bukhari (voice of sindh): Mr. Bukhari people like you are the trairors of Sindh who instigate hatred among permanent dwellers of sindh. Can you tell me how many seats are there for Karachi domicile holders in Sindh University, MUET, Shah Latif University, Chandka Medical College, Tando Jam University? How many students from Liaqatabad, Korangi, F.B.Area are studying in these universities? Quota system was the knife that was used to cut Sindh.
Recommend
People are not fool who protest against the black ordinance of SPLG 2012 (dual system) promulgated by the Governor of Sindh to split into two parts. Why was that ordinance hidden from other political parties and Media? Despite bringing it in Assembly, PPP & MQM presented it in darkness like thieves so that nobody could have objection. People of Sindh have serious concerns and anger on it. If that black ordinance was not withdrawn Govt. of Sindh and it’s ally will be responsible for everything.
Recommend
Punjab is as dear to Punjabis
as Sindh is to Sindhis .
No politics should be played over division
of provinces ( federating units).
Recommend
@mystreeman:
Fortunately or unfortunately ,
you cannot equate PML N with Punjabi .
They are fedralists and have , on fact, unfairly sacrificed
Punjab to appease other provincial parties .
Recommend
@Syed:
shah sb, with due respect, would like to tell you, i asked for mega projects, parks and all that are assume to nothing for people who have not got the basic necessities till yet. as far as liyari is concerned the water supply about you are talking it was started in jamat e islami time, when their nazim was there. might it is completed in kamal’s era. liyari has having the population of 12 lacs, has sectioned the budget of multi million rupees. where it has gone????? town nazim had to work under the city nazim, because before going to start any project, permission would have been taken from the muncipal administrators, as you know all the muncipal administrators work underneath the instructions of district nazims. thanks.Recommend
@mystreeman:
bro, if any body offends our nation, people become terrorist for their sovereignty and rights. any ways, you started that talk regarding the quota system, i answered you by giving example of karachi, you have taking the example of sindh uni, muet, lumhs and all. yes there is clear cut divide every where in quota system, if you don’t allow sindhiz to come in karachi institutions, obviously sindhiz will do so. physical balance is at the mid.Recommend
Alas, freedom of speech and democracy in pakistan is dividing the people instead of integrating them. If you read blogs in newspapers on any issue,you will get the same impression.
Recommend
@Bukhari (voice of sindh):
I think you have never visited goverment universities in Karachi. People from interior are studying everywhere. Sindhi speaking citizens of Sindh are lucky that the leaders of the helm of PPP are far sighted or else people like Palijos and Magsi would have annhilated them. Karachi no longer has a Sindhi majority population and it is and will remain a part of Sindh. Some ordinance cannot divide Sindh but such blatant opposition without logic will!
Recommend
Once elected by what ever means, the so called representative of NA and the PAs do what is in their interest and not the people who send them there. I see one solution for this problem, LIMIT THEIR TENURE, 5 years term is a long time and it should be shortened to 3 years in the beginning and then 2 years for good. You will see how these politician will respond to their electorates because people will remember and will reject them when these politicians go for their own interests. As the saying goes, can you pull the animals from the trough of sloth or any food.
Recommend
@Bukhari (voice of sindh): You said
” yes there is clear cut divide every where in quota system, if you don’t allow sindhiz to come in karachi institutions, obviously sindhiz will do so. physical balance is at the mid.”
You accept that Sindh is already divided by quota system; now stop your diatribe against LG bill.
Recommend
1) Ban the quota system. It has destroyed Pakistan.
2) No duality of anything e.g. Governance, Education system, Parliamentarians, Government Officers etc
3) Free Chocolate cake for everyone!
Recommend
can’t stop that. if one thing had been divided, doesn’t mean every thing is to be divided and snatched from sindhi people. sindh is not the bombay cake which can be divided and molded whenever some one wants. sindh is the name of our mother land. we will never allow it to be broken in two parts as far as we are alive. if system has been implemented then 90% of divide would be accomplished and only 10% is for the forming the map of jinahpur or muhajar province. let every one present their perception.
brother our arguments get too long now. we respect every nation who live in sindh. The matter is all about the power and respect of native speakers who have been the masters of sindh for 9000 years.
thank you.Recommend
@Khalq e Khuda:
yeah sure, sindhi students in minority at the extent of salt in floor. they are in lesser numbers as they would not been. sindh univ and muet also occupying our urdu speaker students but in less numbers, people like palijo and magsi are true nationalists who think about sindh not like ppp leaders who sold their land in bit of coins.
these are efforts of nationalists forces who don’t allow ppp to make such attempts. otherwise sindh could have been spillted in many parts. thanks.Recommend
Too many of us are just talkers and there are handfull of doers, thats why we are seeing resistance the change.
Bringing slogan of hatred and division is same old nationality card that has worked well in past but it won’t anymore.
Has any of you here Looked at our poor hari brothers? they still look like third world labourers while land lords drive around in air conditioned 4x4s and show off their expensive Rados. Just because these land lords inherited wealth it does not mean they can continue to make others suffer.
By the way in 60 years of Pakistan I never heard a land lone building a hospital or Univarsity from him own money for his haris. One day we will be able to help our hari brothers get what they truly deserve, let us clean the cities first :)
Entire USA has local government system, even police is part of local government and it has worked very well. People are happy and they are living quality life.
On the same token, I think MQM needs to do a better job this time as there will be no excuse. If it failed to deliver this time, I am voting for PTI.
Let this old mentality resign and retire and work for a new Pakistan.
Pakistan Zindabad!!!
Recommend
@Bukhari (voice of sindh): ada, you cannot have your cake and eat it too. you should accept those living in Karachi and other Urban centers as Sindhis no matter what language they speak. Sindh cannot remain stuck in past. it has to move forward. no one wants division of SIndh.
Recommend
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui:
@mystreeman:
@Hairaan: Mr. Hairaan! Please remember that Pakistan is sixty-five years old and not young. Many wrongs were, are and will be committed.
What have the nationalist and religious parties done for the betterment of common society? Partially if not wholly. If this is “Bunder Bant,” so be it.
Today Pakistan is screaming for an internal realization that education is freely available to all. Where is it? The ‘ghost schools’ and ‘ghost teachers’ are a black slur on our common face. What happened?
Pakistan is crying for water and the frauds that have taken place and are taking place are known to all. Thanx to our TV and newspapers. Why the national stigma against the Kalabagh Dam pumped up by Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Who is responsible for the violence in universities? Who is responsible for violence against the state? Who is responsible for ‘Karo Kari’ and ‘Vani’? These tribal customs are against the very injunctions of the Quran e Kareem, Sunnat e Rasool, and the Constitution. What have the political parties done to eradicate them? Nothing. Where is the application of agricultural tax and land reforms?
These are a few wrongs presently rife in Pakistan. Right them.
Salams
Recommend
@mystreeman:
Good, thats the spirit bro. i hope every body will be having this frame of mind. talks over.Recommend