Legal cover: Senate to take up LG system in ICT, cantonment areas

Mohsin Leghari is expected to introduce a constitutional amendment in the upper house


Qamar Zaman August 03, 2015
Mohsin Leghari is expected to introduce a constitutional amendment in the upper house. PHOTO: EXPRESS

ISLAMABAD:


In a bid to give legal cover to the local government (LG) system in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and cantonment areas, Senator Mohsin Khan Leghari will introduce a constitutional amendment in the Senate on Monday.


He had proposed that Article 140A(1) be substituted by the following: “Each province shall, by law, establish a local government system and devolve political, administrative and financial responsibility and authority to the elected representatives of the local governments.”

The proposed amendment in Article 140A of the Constitution by the senator says: “The federal government and each province shall, by law, establish a local government system and devolve political, administrative and financial responsibility and authority to elected representatives of the local governments in Islamabad Capital Territory and cantonments, and each of the provinces respectively.”

According to the statement of objectives and reasons, the bill is aimed giving constitutional cover to the LG system in the ICT and cantonment areas just like the provinces, and to enable the residents of the ICT  and cantonments to enjoy their constitutional rights of devolution of political, administrative and financial authority from their local elected representatives just like the residents of the provinces and to end the discrimination against the inhabitants of ICT and cantonments.

In addition, the Senate will have a discussion on the situation arising out of intrusion of the Frontier Corps (FC) in the affairs/authority of the provincial government and interference in the provincial autonomy of Balochistan with particular reference to the agreement/contract made by the FC with illegal lease owners of coalmines in Harnai and imposition of taxes on the same on their own.

Senator Usman Khan Kakar from Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) moved a motion seeking discussion on the FC role in Balochistan.

Pakistan Peoples Party’s Senator Farhatullah Babar will move a resolution which says: “This house recommends to the government to enact appropriate legislation to provide right to appeal in all suo motu cases.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3rd, 2015. 

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