• MQM, PTI vow to continue struggle
• PSP, JI remain careful in responding to judgement
• PPP to give reaction today after cabinet meeting

KARACHI: Tuesday’s verdict of the Supreme Court issued on a petition filed by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan has lifted the hopes of major opposition parties for an empowered local government system in Sindh as they demanded that the Pakistan Peoples Party government implement the apex court’s orders in true spirit in consultation with all political stakeholders without any further delay.

The Supreme Court judgement has directed the provincial government to devolve financial, administrative and political powers to local governments as enshrined under the Constitution.

The PPP-led Sindh government did not come up with any official reaction to the SC order as it would discuss the issue in the cabinet meeting to be held on Wednesday (today).

MQM-P celebrates ‘victory’

As the provincial government waits for the today’s [Wednesday] meeting of its cabinet to deliberate upon the SC orders, the first immediate reaction came from the MQM-P, which was at the centre stage of the whole development as it had filed the petition some five years ago against the Sindh Local Government Act (SLGA) 2013 in the Supreme Court.

Speaking at a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Bahadurabad, MQM-P convenor Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui along with other leaders of the party was clear about the impact of the SC orders and confident that it would lead to an empowered, strong and true democratic local bodies system in the Sindh.

“Now the burden falls on the provincial government to follow the SC orders and implement it and make a fresh law in consultation with political forces of the provinces,” he said.

“The MQM has definitely led this fight but it’s the success of every single person living in Sindh. From Karachi to Kashmore and from Hyderabad to Ghotki, this SC verdict empowers the oppressed people of Sindh and explains true definition of democracy. But let me make it very clear. It’s just a milestone and not a destination. You will find MQM on the ground to continue this struggle till the achievement of the desired results.”

In the evening, workers of the MQM-P staged rallies in their respective areas to celebrate what the party called its victory.

PTI vows to continue struggle

Federal Minister for Planning and Development and secretary general of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Asad Umar was agreed with his coalition partner’s thoughts. Taking to social media platform to share his views, he hinted that his party would not stop here and make sure that the SC order was implemented.

“Supreme Court rules elements of Sindh Local Government 2013 Act in conflict with the constitution,” tweeted Mr Umar and added: “PTI and MQM view that Sindh local govt act is not in line with constitution vindicated. Our struggle for the rights of Sindh citizens to have empowered local governments will continue.”

JI welcomes decision

The Jamaat-i-Islami, which claimed a ‘major success’ in bringing to knees the PPP government to further amend the law last week after a month-long sit-in outside the Sindh Assembly, also welcomed the SC orders but questioned its ‘effectiveness’ after the party had already ‘fixed’ several flaws through its protest.

“I welcome the SC orders on a case pertaining to empowerment of local government,” tweeted JI Karachi chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman.

“But I can only hope that Justice Gulzar Ahmed should have come up with more clarity about the decision. He should have directed the federal and provincial governments to incorporate the chapter regarding power and authority of local government in the Constitution,” he said.

PSP’s conspicuous silence

The conspicuous silence was from the Pak Sarzaeem Party (PSP), which preferred to remain tight-lipped on the SC order as its sit-in protest near Fawara Chowk for the same empowerment of the local government continued.

The party led by former city nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal continued its protest for the third consecutive day.

Addressing the participants, Mr Kamal vowed to continue the struggle for an empowered LG system, but didn’t make any comment on the SC orders that came on his nemesis MQM’s plea.

PPP takes caution

Amid celebrations from the opposition parties, the ruling PPP, however remained cautious about giving its reaction.

The spokesman for the provincial government and Karachi Administrator Barrister Murtaza Wahab told Dawn that the cabinet was meeting on Wednesday (today), where it would discuss the SC orders and devise a strategy for the future.

“The Supreme Court had reserved the orders in October 2020 and issued it today. In these 16 months, things have turned upside down. In a very brief and sketchy study of the orders, we have found that several things have already been fixed in the law passed in December 2021. Similarly, a few things which demanded clarity like PFC [Provincial Financial Commission] were also made clear in talks with Jamaat-i-Islami and other parties. From water supply to sanitation and sewage system, everything ordered by the SC has already been devolved.”

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2022