PPP to bring amendment to remove mayor, LG officials on terrorism, graft charges

If any chairman or mayor is involved in crime or corruption, govt will have authority under law to remove them

KARACHI: Barbs are likely to fly in the Sindh Assembly session scheduled for Monday as the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) plans to introduce an amendment to the local government law to remove mayors and chairmen of local bodies on certain charges, including inciting terrorism and graft, The Express Tribune learnt on Saturday.

“If any chairman or mayor is involved in criminal or corruption activities, the government will have [the] authority to remove them,” said a senior official in local government, adding that this amendment will be made in the Sindh Local Government Act 2013.

“In the existing local government law, the provision is available to disqualify mayor and chairmen of district council or municipal corporation but there is no section to dismiss them under any charge,” he said.



Opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly, Khawaja Izharul Hassan, said they would not only oppose such an amendment but also protest if the government moves such a draconian law. “Instead of empowering the mayor, the government is snatching his existing powers,” he said.

Tightening security

Meanwhile, extraordinary security measures will be taken during the upcoming session given the looming threats. The parking outside the assembly has been banned and Rangers and police will be deployed to avert any untoward incident.

Parliamentary days

Talking to The Express Tribune, Sindh Assembly Secretary GM Umer Farooq said the assembly has so far finished 58 parliamentary days and remaining 42 days are to be completed by May this year. “After the 18^th Amendment, the provincial assemblies have to finish 100 parliamentary days, so this session is summoned to meet this target and pass the pending bills,” he said.