KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Monday passed the Sindh Local Government (LG) Act 2026 (Amendment) Bill amid loud sloganeering and protests by members of all opposition parties.

The bill aims to introduce key changes to the 2013 local government law, including allowing outgoing mayors and chairmen to continue as administrators after the expiry of their terms.

Law Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar sought permission to introduce the bill after presenting the report of the special committee constituted to examine the proposed amendments.

As the minister tabled the bill in the house, opposition lawmakers gathered in the aisles and chanted slogans against the proposed changes to the local government laws. The protest disrupted proceedings for several minutes.

All opposition parties in the Sindh Assembly had previously jointly rejected the proposed amendments, calling the draft law “unconstitutional” and an attempt to weaken elected local bodies.

The bill allows councils to establish institutions independently or through public-private partnerships.

Under the amendment, the government would be required to request the Election Commission of Pakistan 120 days before the expiry of a council’s term to hold fresh elections within that period.

Crucially, the bill provides that on expiry of a council’s term, the outgoing mayor or chairman would continue to exercise powers and perform functions of the council as “Administrator” until the newly elected head assumes office.

It also empowers the government to entrust the duties of a deputy mayor or vice-chairman to another member if the officeholder is absent from Pakistan or unable to perform functions.

The bill proposes insertion of a new Chapter VII-A to establish “Reconciliation Forums” in every union council, union committee, town committee and municipal committee.

Each forum will consist of a panel of three conciliators, nominated by the council from among residents “known for integrity, sound judgement, and respected standing”.

The forum will also be tasked with the amicable settlement of local disputes in accordance with prescribed procedures. Conciliators will hold office for the term of the council and may be removed for “consistent partiality or malpractice”.

Two new entries have been added to Schedule-IX. UCs will now be responsible for identifying solid waste management issues, building control violations and unauthorised constructions within their jurisdiction, and sharing information with relevant authorities for action.

Other amendments include the addition of detailed maps of public service infrastructure to the relevant documents.