HYDERABAD, Oct 8: Sindh Minister Fisheries Zahid Ali Bhurgari has dispelled the impression that under the recently approved local government system the administrative control over islands or inland fisheries are to be given to the Karachi mayor.

Strongly defending the new LG law, he rejected reports that estranged allies were not consulted over different clauses of the Sindh People’s Local Govt Act, 2012 while the PPP-MQM core committee held meeting over several months.

The minister was speaking at a news conference at the annexe of the local Circuit House on Monday. PPP vice-president Amanullah Siyal, general-secretary Fayyaz Shah and others were also present.

Mr Bhurgari responded to various queries of journalists: “No. It is incorrect that the department fisheries or islands are being given under mayor’s control.”

When asked whether mayor would have control over inland fisheries and water bodies existed in KMC’s territorial jurisdiction, the minister said: “In fact, KMC or any metropolitan corporation will be authorised to create its own fishing pond [hatcheries] on its own land, and nothing beyond that.”

He said there was no objection if any metropolitan corporation created its own fishing pond.

“There is no reference in Sindh People’s Local Government Act regarding water bodies or fishermen. They can catch fish in all 1,209 water bodies for which a bill has already been adopted by the Sindh Assembly; the bill was tabled by me in the house,” said Mr Bhurgari, who is also PPP Hyderabad district president.

He said that MCs could not create any new agency or force as being claimed by certain circles. “Primarily, Sindh government nowhere has compromised its authority. Even a resolution of a council or MC can set aside now which was not there in the 2001 law”, he said. Only, he continued, primary healthcare and education are handed over to MCs and it was covered under PPP’s manifesto. Likewise, he said, powers under Section 144 or 145 Cr.PC are only to be exercised after permission of the Sindh High Court chief justice as it involves magisterial powers. The mayors or chairmen could not exercise them on their own directly. Government has withdrawn around 40 per cent of powers given to local government under 1979 law. He asserted that estranged allies were consulted by PPP during core committee meetings. “If you are willing I can show you record of the minutes of meetings held in the CM’s House on local government law’s drafting to prove that allies were consulted,” he said.

He clarified that rural taluka is part of Hyderabad Metropolitan Corporation (HMC). “Other talukas will become towns which means they will grow stronger now as they will be given funds directly so that they could carry out development works,” he said. Now Sindh government would release funds to MCs as against the past practice of the federal government giving funds to district governments.

He said that commissioners and deputy commissioners would be there. Mayors would not be writing annual confidential report (ACR) of police officers — a power previously exercised by district nazims —, he said, adding that he failed to understand as to how this law was aimed at dividing Sindh. “When city government was formed only in Karachi alone no body objected,” he argued.

“The clauses that are part of the present LG law were brought to the notice of ANP and PML-F leaders for discussion. “Jam Madad Ali himself admitted that he had submitted his resignation in the Governor’s House on the morning of Oct 1 and the estranged allies’ protest on that day pertaining to allotment of seats on the opposition benches,” he recalled.

He pointed out that since the protesting lawmakers didn’t resume their seats, they could not bring their reservations on record of assembly against the new Act.

“Now these people should disclose who is pulling their strings?” he said.

Still, he said, the president offered that amendments could be made in the law and proposals could be submitted in this regard. He said that all mayors enjoyed equal powers and there was no distinction. He said that in fact all issues like Kalabagh dam project, NFC Award and provincial autonomy had been settled; therefore, political opponents were trying to capitalise on the local government system issue and misleading people.

He said that the PPP Hyderabad division chapter would hold a public meeting on Oct 15 in the city to apprise the masses about merits of the new local government law.