News
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
PPP, MQM agree on new LG systemBy Masroor Afzal Pasha
KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has finally brought Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on the table to resolve the issues of local bodies system in Sindh to avoid further division between them.
The local government issue was a hurdle in the cordial relations between PPP and MQM. The PPP has convinced its major coalition partner in Sindh, MQM, for devising a new local bodies system in the province that could be acceptable to both the political parties.
PPP and MQM on Tuesday agreed on new local bodies system 2011 in Sindh province. Briefing the media, Sindh Local Government Minister Agha Siraj Durrani and MQM parliamentary leader in Sindh Assembly Sardar Ahmed announced that both parties had agreed on new local government system 2011 in Sindh.
According to legal experts, there was no way out to extend the ordinance except by putting it before the assembly. The existing Sindh Local Government Ordinance (SLGO) 2001, which owes its life to an Ordinance of Aug 8, will cease to exist on Nov 7. The leaders further briefed the outcome and development of MQM and PPP meeting on local government system. Durrani said previous ordinances would be cancelled once the new local bodies system was enacted in Sindh. “All the allies, including PML-Q, ANP, PML-F and nationalists would be taken into confidence about the new local bodies system,” he informed.
All major issues have been decided between the two parties on new local government system, Durrani said.
MQM’s provincial minister Sardar Ahmed confirmed that the new local bodies system would be formed soon. The system would accord protection to everyone without making any distinction to rural or urban and would be the same across Sindh, he said, adding, “We will end difference between urban and rural Sindh in the new local government system 2011.” All the major issues were settled in the meeting,” he pointed out.
“Some issues pending will be settled in the upcoming meetings of the two parties to decide the acceptable new local government system to all stakeholders,” he added.
Earlier, the leaders of two coalition partners, including Sardar Ahmed, Wasay Jalil and Sagheer Ahmed of MQM and Durrani and Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq of PPP held a lengthy meeting on the issue of new local government system to replace SLGO 2001.
A strain developed over the local government system among coalition partners in Sindh. Most of the ruling party leaders and its other coalition partners, including PML-F, NPP and ANP, welcomed the move, while these leaders continuously opposed SLGO 2001.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk