“We have gone through the LG draft and have evolved 97 per cent consensus on it except for a reservations,” said PML-F leader, Imtiaz Shaikh. PHOTO: FILE
The province’s democratic set-up is yet again in a paradox. After Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Awami National Party, the ruling party’s major contender, Pakistan Muslim League-Functional, has now voiced its support for the local government law prepared by the Pakistan Peoples Party-led Sindh government.
Meanwhile, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is at crossroads with the ruling party. At the second consecutive meeting held at the CM house on Saturday, the PML-F leaders lauded the efforts of the provincial government in making the new law, while they flayed the bill on not relinquishing provincial power in three areas- local government commission, education and primary health, water board and community policing, and having the elections on non-party basis.
“We have gone through the LG draft and have evolved 97 per cent consensus on it except for a reservations,” said PML-F leader, Imtiaz Shaikh.
In cohesion with other party leaders, including Mahtab Akbar Rashdi, Nusrat Seher Abbasi and Shaharyar Mahar, he objected to the government’s decision to put the LG commission under local government minister’s sway.
The PML-F leader grieved that they had parted ways in the last tenure since the Sindh Peoples Local Government Ordinance was aimed to divide rural and urban Sindh. “PPP has invited us for the dialogue, and our party wants a uniformed system in all 27 districts of the province.”
Sources privy to the matter told The Express Tribune that MQM insisted to introduce the town system and do away with having five districts in Karachi, giving more power to local bodies by devolving powers such as, primary health, education and traffic police.
MQM leader, Faisal Subzwari, said that the provincial government was not willing to give autonomous powers to the local bodies, which were stated in article 140 A. The PPP is adamant on following General Zia’s legacy by following the system introduced in 1979. “We know that PPP would not accept our proposals but following the democratic norms, we have given our suggestions,” said Faisal Subzwari. “If government does not consider our demands, we will devise our line of action at the time of legislation.” He further clarified that his party demanded that elections be held on party basis.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 18th, 2013.
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What about no separate quota system for rural and urban Sindh like the rest of Pakistan?
These chaudhris, waderas, khans, mians and sardars speak for democracy with wide open mouths but by democracy they mean only that democracy which is beneficial only for them. They don't want this democracy to trickle down to masses as they want to keep all powers in their hands. Their prowess and clout can be observed from the fact that the so-called SC took a host of suo motos on worthless issues but never compelled the governments to undertake the local bodies elections, the very foundations of a true democracy. Moreover, where were you Mr.Imtiaz when only Sindh and not any other province was divided into rural and urban on the basis of ethnicity? As per this mischievous trick now not only the rural positions but even the urban posts are being grabbed by a particular ethnicity on the basis of its clout and connections. Sindh Text Book Board is a glaring example. Mr.Imtiaz, please leave some posts, some honour and some dignity for the urban "dogs" as well.