New LG system

‘All allies to be taken on board’

Staff Report

KARACHI: Sindh Local Government Minister Agha Siraj Durrani said Thursday the new local government system would be introduced with the consensus of all allied parties.

Talking to media personnel at the Karachi Press Club, the minister said the Pakistan People’s Party has handed over the draft of the new local government system to the allied parties for their comments.

The PML-F and ANP have given their recommendations over this matter, while the MQM has yet to share its proposals, he said.

Responding to a question, the minister said administrators have taken control of local governments across Sindh and the government would provide them funds for running expenses, salaries of employees and ongoing schemes.

It is pertinent to mention that both the PPP and MQM have differences over the new local government system that the government has to introduce within a month in the Sindh Assembly for approval.

The ruling PPP is facing pressure from within the party, especially those members belonging from Karachi, for restoration of the local bodies system of 1979.

Under this system, the City District Government Karachi would be abolished, and the administration of the city would be divided into two parts, the municipal or metropolitan corporation comprising urban areas, and the district council comprising the rural areas of the city.

The MQM, however, has reservations over this system and wants to maintain present status of the city. Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah had recently announced that the new local government system would neither be of 2005, nor of 1979.