KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Thursday condemned the repealing of Sindh People’s Local Government Act (SPLGA) 2012 and reverting to the old local bodies system of 1979.

A statement, issued by MQM, said that a joint meeting of the party’s Rabita (coordination) Committee was held in London and Karachi simultaneously to deliberate on the situation arising after the passage of the bill in the Sindh Assembly by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

The meeting said the SPLGA was passed after lengthy discussions and consultations between both the parties (MQM, PPP) and in the interest of people of Sindh.

It was decided in the meeting that the MQM would start a legal and constitutional struggle against the dissolution of the local government system, and it would make every democratic effort to devolve the powers at the lowest level.

The party asked the people not to get disappointed and maintain unity.

Meanwhile, alleging that passage of the bill was a conspiracy to divide Sindh province, MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar said the party would never let this plan to be materialised.

Speaking to media representatives, he alleged that the PPP has repealed the local government system in MQM’s enmity. “When MQM was a part of the government, PPP leaders used to say that the local government system was in people’s interest…How did it turn into a bad system all of a sudden?” he questioned.

By repealing the system which was beneficial for the public, the PPP has proved its disloyalty with the masses, said Sattar.

Moreover, Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan has been summoned by MQM’s top leadership in London. He is expected to depart via Dubai at 6 am on Friday– APP/DawnNews