KARACHI: The issuance of the notification for commissionerate system’s restoration in Sindh was delayed after Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad telephoned the president to express his party’s reservations over the new system in Hyderabad, reported Express 24/7 on Sunday.
Under the new system, Sindh's five divisions – Hyderabad, Sukkhur, Mirpur Khas, Karachi and Larkana – were to be revived.
As Karachi and Hyderabad were supposed to be reverted to their previous status of divisions, Karachi will have to be divided into five districts, while Tando Allah Yar, Tando Muhammad Khan and Matiari will be merged into the Hyderabad division.
The new system will replace DCOs by commissioners in their respective divisions.
Updated from print version (below)
New law for local govt to be framed after Eid
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) claimed to have reached a consensus on a new local government system on Saturday, but said it would be announced after Eidul Azha.
The law will be tabled in the provincial assembly for approval after a thorough debate whether to introduce the commissionerate system or continue with the current local government system run by the DCOs, PPP and MQM leaders said at a joint press conference at the Chief Minister House.
The coalition partners, however, evaded answers to a host of questions on the status of local governments. Each time their attention was drawn to this anomaly, they would avoid a clear answer repeatedly saying: “We will run the affairs of province as per law. Don’t worry about this.”
An ordinance that imposed the local government system of 2001 died its natural death on Friday amid confusion that it has automatically activated a bill adopted by the Sindh Assembly in July, reviving and implementing the local government and commissionerate system of 1979.
Leaders of both the parties said that they would pass a new law soon after Eid, which according to them will be acceptable to all people living in Sindh. “We will defeat all conspiracies being hatched against Sindh,” they said.
While PPP leader Pir Mazharul Haq and MQM’s Dr Sagheer briefed the media about the status of the on-going dialogue over local government system, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Federal Minister Khurshid Ahmed Shah joined the briefing via telephone from Saudi Arabia where they have gone for Hajj.
During the press conference, MQM leader Dr Sagheer Ahmed who was accompanied by Syed Sardar Ahmed, Raza Haroon, Wasim Akhtar and Wasay Jail said “the commissionerate system is not an issue of ‘prestige’ for the MQM; we want to resolve the issue in a manner that brings peace to the province and can help end a divide between the rural and urban areas of Sindh.”
“We will not let anyone sabotage the rights of Sindh, but will continue to work together,” he said, adding that the leader of their party, Altaf Hussain, has directed them to show passion and evolve consensus for the best interests of the people of Sindh.
PPP leader Pir Mazhrul Haq also said that they would not disappoint the people of Sindh and will bring a system based on their wishes. To a question about the salient features of the upcoming system and the differences they had over it, he did not give a clear answer but claimed “there are no more differences and if there were any we will find an amicable solution.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 6th, 2011.
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@Observer from UK...it is unfortunate that the RIGHT system was introduced by a Dictator. The democratic parties should have introduced but they did not. if there are loopholes then the right thing to do is fix them not introduced something which itself is undemocratic. Even BB was in favor of Local Body system and it is part of PPP manifesto, secondly after 18th amendment provincial governments are suppose to devolve powers. If you are so learned then tell me why is local bodies system so bad, and commissioner system better. Only fool can favor a system that takes away power from the people.
@Obsever from UK You have no understanding of the system implemented under Musharraf. Amazing since you are based in UK which has such systems itself. What do you think London is? Sindhis seem to have few brain cells that function. Since there are no agriculture taxes, Sindhis in rural areas rely on Karachi. It is in their interest Karachi functions to best capacity. Such systems @Obsever from UK are the silent revolution. Just look at decentralized cities of Europe. They are in 16 Turkish cities because Turkey to join EU had to change large city structures to meet EU standards.Tokyo, Seoul and other South Korean Cities and over 500 Chinese cities are amongst this revolution and these are just some of the examples. You should get educated about local government before you spout your opinion!
Urban & Rural divide is the figment of imagination of anti Sindhi terrorists, who have killed more than 50,000 people in Karachi in last 25 years. This mafia has usurped Sindhi rights under various text in the past as well in the name of Islam, Pakistan, Anti feudalism, interior Sindh etc. Sindh is there through centuries with its unique characteristics and historic rights, which are inviolable by any deceitful phraseology. This phraseology is only used to camouflage the anti Sindhi acts.
The change in Local Government System will not change the mindset of PPP and MQM leaders.
This is a temporary patch up.
I have nothing to say more on this subject except that “Hota Hai Shab-o-Roze Tamasha Meray Aagay”.
@the skunk. You do not an iota of Sindhis feelings. LG government was a brainchild of a general serving under Gen Musharraf and was with a malintent to create urban and rural divide by handing over to a party whose credentials are well known to every and which marvels in twisting the facts and terrorising the people. Master in blackmailing they are trying to get Musharraf's LG system restored.. It should be urban people learn to live 'rural' Sindhis not the other way round. If democratic actions has any respect than so called representatives of urban population is represented by only 60 members in the provincial legislature and this number can not undo the resolution of Sindh Assembly to bring commissionerat system back.
I am not sure which change you are alluding to?
The rural majority controlled by the PPP vote bank will have to learn the wisdom and courage in compromise for a healthy and practical result.
The corollary of an urban-rural nexus will be spell binding and when it works for the uplift and progress of the province; the results will be awesome and admirable.
Remember two adages, (1) "thesis, anti-thesis, synthesis," and (2) "change is inevitable, do not resist it." There are no two ways to go about it but a HANDSHAKE.
Salams to Sindh province and Pakistan.