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Tenure of local governments likely to be extended
Punjab, NWFP and Balochistan have already amended revenue laws to restore the old system of commissioners but the coalition govt in Sindh has failed to reach to a consensus on this issue because MQM does not want the old system restored. - APP/File photo KARACHI: The government may extend the tenure of the present local bodies at least by one year in the wake of the mass exodus from Swat, Buner and Malakand due to the ongoing military operation, Dawn has reliably learnt. The tenure of the present local government set-up is going to be up in August and the provincial government is reportedly keen on making amendments to the Sindh Local Government Ordinance-2001 (SLGO) to remove ‘weaknesses’ inherent in the system before calling for the local government elections. After the induction of the Pakistan People’s Party-led government in the centre and its coalition parties in the Punjab, NWFP and Balochistan, the relevant revenue laws have already been amended to restore the old system of commissioners in the districts of the three provinces. However, the coalition government in Sindh has failed to reach to a consensus on this issue because the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, which is a coalition partner, does not want the old system restored. Instead, the MQM wants some changes in the existing laws, particularly for the induction of district magistrates and sub-divisional magistrates with executive powers to resolve minor issues. The MQM also wants a different status for Karachi for being the country’s largest city and one that ‘equates with Tokyo and Mumbai in terms of population and resources’. However, the PPP leadership favours a repeal of the SLGO, as according to the party analysts the new local government system was imposed by former president retired General Pervez Musharraf only to prolong his rule. They say that the devolution of power has resulted in large-scale corruption, as it only serves as a source of tension between the provincial and local governments. The laws affect good governance with little monitoring of irregularities. Besides, the analysts say the system depends more on the federal and provincial governments rather than generating its own resources for local development. The PPP leadership wants to make amendments to the SLGO to make it workable. This was why during the last session of the assembly an amendment in the revenue laws was introduced for the revival of the old system. But consideration of the bill was put off as both the coalition partners – the PPP and the MQM – failed to agree on the bill. The leadership of both parties had held a couple of meetings to sort out their mutual differences so that the SLGO could be amended to make the system workable. The PPP leadership is of the view that before going for the next local government polls, both coalition partners should be convinced either to roll back the SLGO or make the necessary amendments to make the system workable. In this situation, the PPP leadership is mulling over two options: either to extend the tenure of the present local governments or appoint an administrator until the necessary amendments, acceptable to all its coalition partners, are made to the SLGO. DAWN: Monday, 25 May, 2009 |
