KARACHI: A delegation of the Pakistan Peoples Party on Sunday visited the headquarters of the Pak Sarzameen Party to address the party’s concerns over the controversial local government law.

The PPP delegation comprising Local Government Minister Nasir Shah and Karachi administrator Murtaza Wahab held a closed-door meeting with PSP chairman Syed Mustafa Kamal and president Anis Kaimkhani.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the PSP said that it informed the PPP about its reservations regarding the ‘black law’.

Mr Kamal told the PPP delegation that his party wanted powers and resources to be devolved from Chief Minister House to the street level, according to the statement.

“The PSP made it clear to the PPP that its protest march toward CM House on Jan 30 would be held at all cost,” it said.

Later, Mr Kamal along with LG Minister Shah and Mr Wahab talked to the media.

“We have informed the PPP about our concerns regarding local government law and the PPP has assured us that our concerns will be seriously considered,” Mr Kamal said.

“If the PPP agrees to this public demand, then it is to their advantage. The PPP has the biggest advantage of an empowered local government system in the province. We are talking about the rights of not only Karachi, but of entire Sindh.”

He said that after a brutal murder in Tando Allahyar, a series of linguistic politics had started.

“Police have not acted responsibly and violence against women is shocking and the saddest thing is that the leader of an ethnic group is seen presenting flowers to the killer in a police lock-up,” he said. “This one picture has raised fears of ethnic riots in the province.

“The concentration of power is hurting the province. Today, there are more reasons for ethnic politics, than forty years ago,” he added.

On the occasion, LG Minister Nasir Shah appreciated the role of Mr Kamal for creating harmony among different communities of Sindh.

He said protest was a constitutional right, but finding a solution through dialogue was also the beauty of democracy.

During the meeting, political situation of the province and Sindh Local Government Bill were discussed.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2022