SC to take up pleas against Sindh LG law on Oct 26

Both PTI, MQM-P filed petitions last month for devolution of powers

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court has fixed October 26 for hearing both the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s petitions, seeking directions for the PPP-led Sindh government to devolve powers to the local government (LG) institutions of the province in view of various provisions of the Constitution.

A three-member special bench, headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed, will hear the case

The Supreme Court registrar's office issued notices to the attorney general and advocate general of Sindh. Notices were also issued to other petitioners, including the PTI and the MQM-P.

The petition – moved by the PTI through its Chairman Imran Khan, and senior leader Asad Umar – last month contended that the Sindh Local Government Act, 2013 does not take into account Article 140-A as well as articles 3, 4, 9, 14, 16, 17, 19, 19A and 25 of the Constitution.

Setting aside the objections raised to the petition by its registrar office, the bench issued notices to all respondents. It also asked Attorney General for Pakistan Khalid Javed Khan and the Sindh advocate general to assist the court in the case. Famous lawyer Ali Zafar appeared on behalf of the PTI.

However, earlier the court heard a similar petition filed by the MQM-P.

The party, which is a part of the ruling coalition with a vote bank in urban Sindh, contended that local governments are a part of the state in view of Article-7 of the Constitution.