PHOTO: FILE
The meeting was held at the Chief Minister's house and was attended by Senior Sindh Minister for Education Nisar Ahmed Khuhro‚ Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and Minister for Law Dr Sikandar Mandhro. The MQM delegation was led by Dr. Farooq Sattar and included Faisal Sabzwari‚ Sardar Ahmed and Kanwar Naveed Jameel.
While the MQM contended that they wanted effective and powerful local governments as per the Article 140A of the Constitution, Sharjeel Memon maintained that the local government law of 1979 will be scrapped in favour of a new law.
The second round of talks will begin on August 17.
COMMENTS (11)
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@Sodomite: 700 MW?!!! I was only talking about electricity produce by GAS.Alhamdulillah sindh produces more than its consumption.Everybody know which province have highest gas theft ratio in Pakistan and Punjab which is consuming large amount of electricity (as well as natural gas) from projects located in other provinces and not vice versa .
@Abdullah: What has the Federation got to do with stealing?? Pay your electric bills and that of WAPDA so they can pay KPK for Hydel Power. Ever heard of Circular Debt?? That's how it starts. Plus what has Rs 5 per unit Sind Power got to do with the Federation??. You consume it plus take 700 MW that is not yours. You are unhinged Dude!!!
Why cant the LG administration of Karachi be given as much power as the administrative governments of the other mega cities of the world. Mayors have policing, transportation and utilities under their jurisdiction world over, PPP must understand that it is not about gaining power but it is the only solution to the diverse problems of the city. It is in the best interest of all the stakeholders to devolve power to local government, otherwise there will be more trouble more bloodshed. Karachi deserves to be treated with respect which means being governed by its chosen representative and not those who get elected from outside Karachi and govern the metropolis merely because of more strength in the provincial assembly.
@Hasan: They're both two sides of the same coin
When 700 MW power that Sind has been using illegally from WAPDA without paying for is disconnected, then perhaps light will dawn on GOS that they need to get serious on issues of life and death.
It is said that when God wants someone to get on a destructive course, He takes away his wisdom. This is exactly what is happening in the case of PPP. This party has now became a Sindh party.
I also agree with MQM with regards to its local body proposals. I understand that the PPP stands to lose its power in Sindh if it agrees to these, so I can comprehend why they are so adamant against it. However, devolution of power not only creates a sense of participation, but also accountability. Right now, we can't question Chief Minister Sindh since he barely interacts with anyone from Sindh... but if we had a powerful local leader, he would be more accountable.
Glad to see that MQM's stance has been the same on LG since Day 1. MQM is the only party whom we can expect to be sincere to its voters and trully Empower the Powerless. Although, I'm not to hope full, cuz PPP does hold the majority, it can do what ever the heck they want, besides we can't expect much from PPP, cuz why would fuedals ever come with something beneficial for powerless.
Please give more powers and autonomy to the local bodies. In America the mayor is responsible for most of the things including appointing police chief, local taxation,schools, local roads etc. Devolve power to the gross roots so every one has the sense of participation