Despite MQM's protest, Sindh Assembly approves local govt bill
MQM members walk out of the assembly in protest against the bill, but will still take part in local govt elections.
File photo of Sindh Assembly. PHOTO: ONLINE/FILE
KARACHI:
The Sindh Assembly has approved the much-debated Sindh Local Government Law 2013, Express News reported on Monday.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) members walked out of the assembly in protest against the bill, but the party would still take part in the local body elections according to a party spokesperson.
Senior provincial minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro presented the bill in the assembly.
The bill was debated earlier as the MQM representatives said it was unfair to discuss a bill that had not been read by all members present. Chants of “shame” could be heard as MQM protested vocally.
“A draft was shared with us online, however that was a draft. We did not have enough time to read this huge document. How can we discuss something unless all members of the assembly have read the bill?” asked MQM representative Faisal Subzwari.
“Only 10% of the assembly has received copies of the bill,” he added.
The bill on Sindh Local Government Law 2013 was prepared by the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government in Sindh in compliance with the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s orders to hold the LG election by September 15.
Former major coalition partner, MQM was adamant that the Sindh Peoples Local Government Law 2012, which was passed by both PPP and MQM, be implemented. The government, on the other hand, has chosen to go ahead with a new law built on the framework of the 1979 system.
Nisar Khuhro defended the bill by saying "Municipalities are still currently running. So why is there a problem if everyone agrees to pass a bill?"
"If an overwhelming majority accepts a bill, they are representing Sindh. If everyone says local government can benefit our people, why shouldn't we ago ahead with it?" Khuhro added.
A resolution to change the required minimum age to 21 years for eligibility to run local body elections was also suggested during the session.
The Sindh Assembly has approved the much-debated Sindh Local Government Law 2013, Express News reported on Monday.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) members walked out of the assembly in protest against the bill, but the party would still take part in the local body elections according to a party spokesperson.
Senior provincial minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro presented the bill in the assembly.
The bill was debated earlier as the MQM representatives said it was unfair to discuss a bill that had not been read by all members present. Chants of “shame” could be heard as MQM protested vocally.
“A draft was shared with us online, however that was a draft. We did not have enough time to read this huge document. How can we discuss something unless all members of the assembly have read the bill?” asked MQM representative Faisal Subzwari.
“Only 10% of the assembly has received copies of the bill,” he added.
The bill on Sindh Local Government Law 2013 was prepared by the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government in Sindh in compliance with the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s orders to hold the LG election by September 15.
Former major coalition partner, MQM was adamant that the Sindh Peoples Local Government Law 2012, which was passed by both PPP and MQM, be implemented. The government, on the other hand, has chosen to go ahead with a new law built on the framework of the 1979 system.
Nisar Khuhro defended the bill by saying "Municipalities are still currently running. So why is there a problem if everyone agrees to pass a bill?"
"If an overwhelming majority accepts a bill, they are representing Sindh. If everyone says local government can benefit our people, why shouldn't we ago ahead with it?" Khuhro added.
A resolution to change the required minimum age to 21 years for eligibility to run local body elections was also suggested during the session.