Sindh Assembly approves amendments in Local Government Act
Over 30 amendments introduced into the local government act despite opposition from MQM, PML-F, PML-N and PTI.
Over 30 amendments introduced into the local government act despite opposition from MQM, PML-F, PML-N and PTI. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
A Sindh Assembly dominated by Pakistan People's Party passed a bill by a majority vote on Thursday, approving amendments in the Sindh Local Government Act 2013, Express News reported.
The bill was strongly opposed by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Pakistan Muslim League-Functional, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
The bill, which topped the Sindh Assembly's agenda for today, will create approximately 30 amendments to the local government act.
This includes an expansion in the population base used for forming town and municipal committees, and electing mayors and deputy mayors through an open show-of-hand rather than a secret ballot.
Opponents of the bill contended that the amendments had not been discussed with other political parties and as long as they had not been examined in detail, the bill should not be tabled.
However, Education Minister Nisar Ahmed Khuro pointed out that the bill had already been presented by Sikandar Mandhro.
Shehryar Mahr of PML-F walked out of the assembly, but with the speaker of the assembly emphasising the announcement of election schedules was drawing close, the bill was hurriedly passed through a majority vote.
Earlier on Monday, MQM had challenged the PPP's local government act in the Supreme Court.
A Sindh Assembly dominated by Pakistan People's Party passed a bill by a majority vote on Thursday, approving amendments in the Sindh Local Government Act 2013, Express News reported.
The bill was strongly opposed by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Pakistan Muslim League-Functional, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
The bill, which topped the Sindh Assembly's agenda for today, will create approximately 30 amendments to the local government act.
This includes an expansion in the population base used for forming town and municipal committees, and electing mayors and deputy mayors through an open show-of-hand rather than a secret ballot.
Opponents of the bill contended that the amendments had not been discussed with other political parties and as long as they had not been examined in detail, the bill should not be tabled.
However, Education Minister Nisar Ahmed Khuro pointed out that the bill had already been presented by Sikandar Mandhro.
Shehryar Mahr of PML-F walked out of the assembly, but with the speaker of the assembly emphasising the announcement of election schedules was drawing close, the bill was hurriedly passed through a majority vote.
Earlier on Monday, MQM had challenged the PPP's local government act in the Supreme Court.