KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly passed a new bill proposing changes in the local body government today amid chants of “shame, shame” made by the opposition.
Opposition leader Sardar Ahmed of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) strongly protested against the bill, claiming that it was not the same bill which was shown to the opposition.
In response to Ahmed's statement, PPP’s Nisar Khuhro declared that the opposition was simply opposing for the sake of opposing, which prompted MQM lawmakers to stand up and loudly protest.
As the situation grew heated, Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani was forced to intervene in order to call for an end to the worsening situation.
The bill, submitted in the house, was subsequently passed, despite objection from opposition members.
The new bill titled Sindh Local Government Act 2013 had been grafted by incorporating various “reasonable proposals” extended by opposition parties.
According to the bill, elections throughout Sindh will be based on political party affiliations.
Karachi would be given the status of a metropolis, with the establishment of five municipal corporations in five of its districts.
On the other hand, municipal corporations would also be established in three districts of Sindh.
The chief of the metropolis would be called the Mayor, while the head of the district council would be the Chairman. The bill further states that the chairman of the local government commission would also be the local government minister.
Finally, the metropolitan sector has been given the option to receive 13 different taxes.
