Sindh Government, MQM Clash Over Local Government Bill and Devolution of Powers

MQM parliamentary leader Ali Khursheedi has criticized the Sindh government over its approach to the local government system, accusing the ruling authorities of opposing a Supreme Court order and committing contempt of court. He said the government’s argument that bills are passed on the basis of a majority was unacceptable and alleged that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was violating its own manifesto by refusing to devolve powers to the grassroots level. Khursheedi said political parties in Sindh were on one side while the PPP stood on the other, accusing the provincial government of being unwilling to transfer authority to local institutions.

Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon rejected the MQM’s criticism, accusing the party of repeating its “old tradition” by creating a disturbance in the provincial assembly and leaving without hearing the government’s position. He claimed that MQM had previously avoided local government elections and said its current performance was “zero.” Memon also referred to differences between Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Mustafa Kamal, noting that both politicians are now members of the federal cabinet. He further said the PPP was not forcibly passing legislation and claimed Sindh was the only province where a local government system was currently functioning.

Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar said a committee had been formed to examine the bill concerning the local government system and that all relevant aspects had been discussed before its approval. He maintained that MQM should have read the legislation before its passage and said the Sindh government wanted local government elections to be held on time. Lanjar added that the provincial government wanted continuity in the local government system, while Memon accused the Punjab government of disregarding Election Commission directives concerning local government elections and said the PPP would comply with all Election Commission orders.