Summary The Sindh Assembly session started in the morning with Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani in the chair.
KARACHI (Dunya News) - The Sindh Assembly passed the local government bill 2013 on Monday.
Earlier, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement protested as the much-debated Local Government Bill was presented during the session of the Sindh Assembly.
There was much debate in the assembly yet again as MQM representatives believed 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 has been 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, Muttahida Qaumi Movement is 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 Khoro 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.
