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KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has announced to end its sit-in ongoing for nearly a month evening after successful talks with the Sindh government over the controversial Local Government (LG) law.
JI Karachi chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman announced to end the 29-days long sit-in in the wee hours of Friday night after successful talks with a delegation of the Sindh government for the successful resolution of issues facing the city.
A delegation of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led by Sindh Minister for Local Government Nasir Shah comprising arrived at the sit-in camp for talks with JI leadership. Speaking to participants of the sit-in, Nasir Shah said that PPP and Jamaat-e-Islami have agreed to empower the mayor of Karachi.
The two sides also reached an agreement, according to which the mayor will head the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) while educational institutions and hospitals will be handed over to the local bodies.
Shah requested the JI leadership to end the sit-in as their demands have been met by the provincial government. He added the majority of the demands are met with consensus and negotiations will continue on the other matters to reach consensus.
Nasir Shah announced that Sindh government will bring amendments to the Local Government Act 2013. He said that the provincial government will issue notifications in one to two weeks regarding issues that require the issuance of notification.
The two sides reached an agreement to amend the Local Government act. The sides also agreed on the establishment of the Provincial Finance Commission. The mayor and town chairman will be members of the commission. The commission will be awarded after the Local Bodies representatives assume powers, said Nasir Shah.
Nisar said powers will be given to the mayor and chairmen in the Building Control Authority and other development authorities. The provincial government will release monthly and annual funds to the Union Council on the basis of population, he added.
Hafiz Naeem announced to end the sit-in and said sit-ins will no longer be staged in different places of the city. However, he clarified that the struggle is not over yet and they will continue to strengthen the city.
