KARACHI: Joint Provincial Election Commissioner Ali Asghar Sial has said that due to lack of security personnel, Sindh Local Government (LG) Elections may take place in further two phases.
In a press released issued after a stakeholders’ dialogue organized by Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) in collaboration with Freidrich Nauman Foundation for Freedom Pakistan (FNF) on Monday, he said that a proposal to conduct LG polls in Karachi and other remaining districts of Sindh in two phases in under consideration.
During the dialogue the speakers urged the Sindh Government to strengthen the LG system in Sindh and commence the second phase of LG elections without further delay.
The dialogue is attended by MPAs, lawyers, local government elected representatives, CSOs, representative of Election Commission and media persons.
While addressing the dialogue Syed Hafeez Uddin, senior politician and lawyer said that clause 112 of the Sindh Local Government Act makes it compulsory for the provincial government to issue the PFC award every four years and distribute financial share to all districts and local government agencies from provincial revenue as per the formula. However, the provincial government has failed to finalize the procedure for distribution of provincial revenue in the past 15 years. “The issue must be resolved immediately on the pattern of NFC.”
PML(F) MPA Mr. Shaharyar Khan Mahar said that Empowered Local Government System in Accordance with Article 140-A of the Constitution is need of the hour. He further stated that Sindh Government is not committed to implement Local Government Act 2013 in true letter and spirit. “LG has primary role of planning and managing all aspects of the disasters and floods but Sindh government was unable to deal with the relief and rehabilitation due to the absence of empowered LGs.”
Former Federal Minister and Senior Politician Mr. Raza Haroon emphasized on the need of a constitutional amendment for the protection of local governments as a third tier of government.
Mukhtar Ahmad Ali, Executive Director CPDI said that a diploma program in local government and administration was started in Karachi University in 2013 but later without giving any reason it was stopped.
Member Provincial Assembly Mangla Sharma said that no one can deny the importance of local governments but the elections must be held after delimitation. She also emphasized on the need of making LGs more inclusive for women, PWDs and religious minorities.
