He said that if things did not change soon, it will become difficult for the ANP to work with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).
While talking to the media in Karachi, President ANP Sindh Shahi Syed criticized the government for not consulting them before the move.
Shahi Syed said that the bill on the commissionerate system has been set aside due to political expediencies adding that ANP will strongly oppose the LG bill in Sindh Assembly.
He further said that PPP always neglected the ANP before taking any important decisions and blamed the ruling party for having a non-serious attitude.
Speaking on the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), he criticized them saying that every time they quit the government, efforts to restore peace in Karachi received a blow.
Meanwhile ANP leader Zahid Khan has called for a joint meeting of ANP Parliamentarians asking them to boycott the Assembly Session tomorrow.
Sindh Nationalist parties have called for a strike, protesting against the revival of the LG System.
Mian Iftikhar reacts
On the other hand, senior ANP leader and Khyber Pakthunkhwa (KP) Information Minister Mian Iftikhar also expressed his reservations on the restoration of the LG system, saying that ANP should have been taken into confidence.
He said that the commissionerate system should continue in Sindh like it has been in KP.
However, Mian Iftikhar added that PPP-ANP partnership will not be affected in KP.
Earlier Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad Khan issued two ordinances on Saturday resulting in the revival of the 2001 local government system in Karachi and Hyderabad as well as the restoration of the previous delimitation of both districts.
The decision, being termed as the ‘first phase’ of an agreement, came following long negotiations between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, represented by Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad, and the Pakistan Peoples Party, represented by Senator Babar Awan.
(Read: PPP-MQM: The deal has been done)
Talking to the media at the Governor House after the talks, the Sindh governor said that the decision to remove all differences between the PPP and MQM had been taken via the ordinances, and reflected the will of President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and MQM chief Altaf Hussain.
COMMENTS (57)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@billoo bhaijan , and who is going to make me pack ? lolzzzzzzzzzzzz
@haiderh ANP can request that there be same number of UC for similar population. To say that that is reason for preferring Commissionerate system only indicates ANC is not led by intelligent leaders. And why not implement a system for Peshawar? They are free to do that. The fact they they do not decentralize Peshawar when they can reveals how out of touch they are. I suggest they go to China and learn how they powered their economy with decentralized local systems. The Chinese are obviously geniuses compared to them!
@Salman Orangiwala: by that arguement you should start packing!...you are not in the majority in Sindh
@mir.munsif Sindhis are living off Karachi. You apparently are unaware there are no ag taxes in Sindh, so Karachi feeds your government and infrastructure in interior. In fact, why is only Karachi doing this? Why are other cities of interior in such a pathetic state? Karachi shouldn't be carrying the province on its shoulders.
I feel sorry for the people under their governance in their home province! This party should wonder why so many come to Karachi instead of Peshawar. Maybe Peshawar needs a decent modern urban system as well?
Moreover, this should not be about ethnicities, but about who will best serve the economy and the people in a democtratic and just way. All are Pakistanis and they should be united and supportive of each other regardles of ethnic origin or race. As the old saying goes somewhat like this . . . . . .'united we stand and divided we fall'
All political parties have an equal opportunity in the local elections. Since Pashtuns make about 25% of population in Karachi, then they too will have a good opportunity of winning their share of the seats. Lets look at it positively.
@kla , my man you have been trying to do the forced evacuation vide your drug peddlers and nasty-warlords , this being the umpteenth time .Don't brag on what you cannot .Period .
Karachi was Kolachi ,a fisherfolks abode , we made it "Karachi" in the last 60 + yrs . The others are coming to exploit what my ancestors built . And mind you Karachi feeds the entire country , got that ?
So the bottomline is , if somebody doesnot respect the say of the majority of Karachi they may go back where they came from .
ANP does not want the LG system back because it does not provide proportional repesentation to all other ethnicities except the mohajirs. one just has to take a look at the delimitation of constituencies and the town system to understand this. the mohajir dominated areas are divided into more union councils while the areas with a majority of other ethnicities with the same population are divided into lesser union councils. same is the case with provincial and national assembly seats.that is the crux of the problem.
@Salman Orangiwala i agree pathans should think seriously about their leadership as should the rest of the country however they have a right to object or you have something against free speech?.. @Ashar you could not have been more racist! shame on you if you indeed call yourself a pakistani. what you said is like saying muhajirs can go back to india if they dont like what sindhis want. What the majority want should be implemented if it includes LG system or a commission on 12 May however the right to voice an opinion remains. What is interesting is how someones objections allows the racism breeding inside them to seep out of their skin especially when we "pakistanis" travel to london and are appaled when called "pakis"
@sam, dude, leaders of major political parties and people like you need moral education. The biggest problem in Karachi is lack of proper education for this ethnic madness to end......
@Muzammil dude you need to get some education, u lack of proper moral and ethical education. i feel sorry for people like you who just dont understand what racism can cost this city.
'ANP to oppose Local Government bill' should read "ANP to oppose Local Empowerment & Development"
Folks, if democracy is to succeed then the concept of 'majority is authority' must be strictly adhered to whether in Karachi Sindh or balochistan, KPK, Punjab.
As for ANP they have difficult days post elections 2013 especially in KPK because religeous parties will be in the field. Remember these religeous parties had boycotted the last election.
@Muzammil:
Well we all know come 2013 ANP is likely to be in the opposition and another coalition of religious parties will come back into power in KPK (or whats left of it).
@mir mushir, the Urdu speaking people have no interest in dividing Sindh , we respect the Sindhis as the Ansar of Medina who gave refuge to the muslims of Makkah at the time of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). we will never cheat you....
If the ANP is so concerned about Pashtuns they should stop the genocide of Pashtuns in KP , FATA and Karachi , rather than get involved in the administration of a soverign province. They should ask the the Americans to stop these drone attacks which are the biggest largest reason for the death of the Pashtuns. The reason they wont do that is they are on the payroll of the Americans.....
@san, well I dont hate other ethinicities, Karachi belongs to Sindh..... and even if it is the largest city of Pakhtuns , they dont own it....... They can have a system of their choice in KP which is their homeland and not Sindh !!
When the MQM opposed the removal of the local Government bill, the whole of Karachi was awash with blood, lets see how many die now that the ANP is opposing something.
ANP has all the right to protest but to have a legitimate influence in the decision making, they would require many more seats in the city council and prove competence through existing ministries instead of riding on the PPP conspiratorial support.
I think LG system is better, but I would like to get people's response (a rather connoisseur one), that why LG system is bad? First of all there should be level playing field, ANP, PPP and MQM all should field their candidates for Mayor's Post and lets see who will win, But I would definitely would like to know what are the qualms of ANP and other nationalists regarding LG system, is there any flaw in it, they should make their point clear in media, I see commisionerate system rather dictatorial and as he a govt employee, how he will be able to solve people problems and he will be under the govt, I see this the only positive point which lures PPP and ANP to support comissionerate system in KP and Sindh....let people rule....
@ Jahanzeb Khan Well in that case areas in and surrounding KP have more just causes for the "bright" Pashtun to work their miracles;there is no reason to move hundreds of kilometers south. In any case, it could be nothing but vested interest of a few political leaders which make Shah Syed shout against a "democratic" system. Taking a bigger view of situation - a democraic local government system across Pakistan (not just southern Sindh) will be beneficial for the people rather than the colonial commissionerate system (i mean, man, do we stll have colonial masters in this region? well we do, but part of being civilised is not to show it...its an art form). So bro, if you are as "bright" as the average Pahstun, then you would take a more holistic view of the situation as against Mr. Syed's view based on protection of his investment and power.
@ bunty well said, every person has right to object and let it be heard...thats the beauty of democracy (in whatever form that we have) and free media. if there are more pashtuns in Karchi than in Peshawar, we should see a significant representation from them in the City Council then, so whats the worry with the system. well, i agree that ANP should stop acting like the monopolostic representative of Pashtuns while MQM of Urdu speaking people.
On what grounds ANP is opposing.?
@Jahanzeb and Bunty Local Government system delivered in Karachi. Development across Karachi happened within a span of couple of years. That was for the Pashtuns as well. Why would you or any Pushtun for that matter oppose a LG system if it served wonders? And you guys already have a province where you people can enjoy commissionerate system, so just relax and take things in stride for once. Since Pashtuns can already enjoy the commissionerate system in KP, why the need to bring it in Sindh? Sindh is better-off this corrupt and vile system in which the real democratically chosen people have no powers vested in them.So just cut the crap and be spectators for once, as its not always good to be amongst the performers all the time. It lowers quality and results in failure.
ANP must focus on to improve railway system instead on Karachi local government system. They are the killers of pakhtun in KP and repeating the same thing in karachi.
@Jahanzeb Khan:
Those who cause militancy and terrorism, will never fight against it
@Muzammil You comment show how much hate you have for other ethnicities. Everybody knows how pathetic these political parties are and if educated people like you start drawing the same ethnic bashing then I don't think we could ever end to this civil war (in between Pashtuns , Punjabis, Muhjirs etc) in our country. For sake of own interests all political parties are sacrificing people like you same we sacrifice animals on Eid Ul Adha. May God bless our country.
Shahi Syed should go to hell.
Once again MQM and PPP made ANP invisible. Poor reds, they wear caps only never to be heard or seen.
ppp had used ANP as a pawn on the chess board....
Mustafa Kamal isn't Coming back. PPP will not hold Local Bodies elections. I bet my life on that!!
Mr. Zardari should change the name of KPK back to N.W.F.P. and to make pashtuns happy, change it to KPK once again. This is what he is doing with MQM and same trick would also cool down pashtuns.
what the..., how is a system promulgated in British rule in 1861 better then a system which ensures devolution of power at the local level, which is democracy in it's letter and spirit..cut the crap of this sindhi, pashtun and mohajir crap and lets talk some senses.
I am very happy that Mustafa Kamal is coming back due to restoration of Nazim Scene in Karachi and hyderabad.
@bunty: You have a valid point in so far as that Karachi is home to a significant number of Pashtuns and they have every right to express themselves and their opinion should be taken into account with respect and empathy. At the same time you must know that the Pashtuns in Karachi are there for economic reasons and if, for any reason, Karachi loses the economic potential Pashtuns will move accordingly, same as the Bengalis did, or for that matter the Iranians before them (some people may not be aware of this.) However, that is not the case of the indigenous people of Karachi who are in Karachi to stay whether it is good or bad economic times. Also so far they are in the majority and you must respect their wishes too. If tomorrow they are no more in majority then it will be a different situation. That is what the spirit of democracy calls for.
Granted I have no love for MQM (or even ANP for that matter) but I'd love to know what legitimate objections does ANP have over the reenactment of local governments...which if anything addresses problems at the grass root level and are pegged to at least some form of accountability i.e if you don't deliver you don't get elected.
The fact is that Pashtuns contribute greatly to the economic development of Karachi. There is a large hard working Pashtun population in Karachi and they blend very well with the metropolitan city of Karachi and speak urdu with pride as their national language. This is a Karachiite speaking in support of our Pashtun brothers.
its not about Pashtun or mohajirs ANP is Using Pashtun as a tool and making them fight with mohajir muslim brothers so therefore i condemn their dirty politics. Secondly as far as This local body is concern so this is a demand of every single Karachite whoever oppose it actually disrespecting the mandate we gave to MQM. PEACE
Who published Muzammil's Comment? That is PLAIN racism. WHAT are you doing Moderator ?
ANP has no stake in Karachi. All it does in Karachi is exploit ethnic fissures and support criminals. Everyone knows how they won the 2 seats they did.
The People of Karachi want a System in Sindh with strong Local Government, so that is what must happen.ANP should stop his land mafia, they leave en masse from FATA to run away from the taliban, then start taliban culture in KArachi
Now pushtuns are the stakeholders, look what they did to their country afghanistan. They have no right to say in Karachi.
Sindhis are forced to think that Is it outcome of their policy of brotherhood that's why Millions of Mohajir came and settled in Sindh and today MQM is trying to divide Sindh?Is it outcome this good deed.If our forefathers knew this,they might not have supported the immigrants who came here to loot our resources and divide our province.
Karachi is integral part of Sindh and it's NOT piece of cake to divide.Sindh's division will never be tolerated.If Mohajirs consider them as son of the soil,they should not be part of this conspiracy of "divide and rule".Karachi belongs to Sindh and we own it.Mohajirs and Pushtoons can live with Sindhis in Karachi but we'll not let any one to conspire against Sindh.
@Muzammil: Because they are Pakistani
No harm in making a noise.
congratulations MQM-Mohajir
@grinz09: @Muzammil: Dear Brothers, In Karachi there is an estimated population of 4 to 5 million Pukhtuns in a total population of around 18 million. This mean that 25% of the population of Karachi is Pukhtuns and so Pukhtuns has every right to ask for their political rights in Karachi. In fact Karachi is the biggest city of Pukhtuns living anywhere in the world.
@bunty - they have no right to object. If they have objections, they can go back to KP where there is commissionerate system. ANP can only object when it starts winning 6-7 national assembly seats from Sind. Before that, they should accept what majority wants.
@Muzammil: "Karachi and Hyderabad are not part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Why are the Pashtuns protesting ? They can keep the system of their choice in their own province".
The demographics of Karachi have changed 25% of the population is now Pakhtoon but ANP is underrepresented due to the syste of governance. MQM gain is at the expense of ANP - so naturally they would protest.
Had ANP been utilized its mandate properly in KP , the Pathans wouldnt have migrated en masse to Karachi .Look at Bilour , Railway is crumbling , he is in the USA with his family on summer vacation . Asfandyar Wali is in Germany for his perosnal treatment !!!
Pathans need to think seriuosly about thier leadership instead of making fuss on the administration of Karachi . The majority of Karachi is in favor of the LG system , Shahi Syed must respect the will of the majority .Case dismissed
@Muzammil: well first.. karachi is a metropolitan city based win many ethnicities and there are many pashtuns here... secondly ANP does not represent all the pashtuns...thirdly there are more pashtuns here than in peshawar... so if a pashtun has an objection he has every RIGHT to object
Muzammil:Wherever there is militancy and terrorism and unjust changes, Pashtuns across the board will fight for the just cause and expose killers and state agencies and that's why the future of Pashtuns is bright in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
@Muzammil: Absolutely!
Karachi and Hyderabad are not part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Why are the Pashtuns protesting ? They can keep the system of their choice in their own province.