Save Sindh: Sindhi nationalists to observe ‘Black Day’ against proposed LG system

Leaders plan to stage sit-in on Nov 19 in front of Governor House.


Express November 02, 2011

KARACHI:


The federal government is violating the Constitution by interfering in provincial matters, said Sindh Dost Rabita Council chief Barrister Zamir Ghumro. “The local government ordinance of 2001 expired after the 2002 elections because it was not presented in the Sindh Assembly, it is technically not valid anymore.”


While speaking at a joint press conference held by Sindhi nationalist leaders, including Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz leader Bashir Qureshi and Jeay Sindh Mahaz leader Riaz Chandio, at Hyder Manzil, the barrister said that the governor did not have the authority to extend or reintroduce the present ordinance. There was no provision in the 18th or 19th amendment.

On Wednesday, the nationalist leaders unanimously decided to observe a ‘Black Day’ in protest against the existing district and local government ordinance. No date has been announced yet. They said that the 2001 ordinance was unconstitutional. “The current coalition government is trying to introduce a new system,” they said. “We will not let the government issue a new ordinance, especially since it was rejected by the assembly in 1979. We will start a movement against them if they do so.”

They added that there was no space for the local government system as the constitution only mentions the federal and provincial governments.

The nationalist leaders had gathered together at GM Syed’s house to fight for their rights as part of the Save Sindh Committee led by Jalal Mehmood Shah. “The fact that the city government is responsible for the city administration is illegal,” Shah said. “The Sindh Assembly has no right to entrust the constitutional powers of the provincial government to the local government.” He appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take suo motu notice of the lawlessness.

Qureshi, Shah, Chandio and other nationalists leaders announced that they would stage a sit-in in front of Governor House on November 19 against the proposed local government system.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2011.

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