Sindh PA passes local govt bill amid opposition uproar

The Sindh Assembly on Monday passed the Sindh Local Government Amendment Bill 2026 by a majority vote amid uproar and sloganeering by opposition lawmakers, who tore copies of the legislation in protest. Before the bill was taken up, Provincial Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Zia Ul Hassan Lanjar presented the report of a special committee on the Sindh Local Government Act 2026. Opposition lawmakers began shouting and creating a ruckus as the minister presented the report. Despite the protest, the House approved the bill by a majority vote. The session was later adjourned until 3pm on Tuesday. The amended law introduces several changes to the local government system. Under the Sindh Local Government Amendment Act 2026, the mayor will assume the powers of administrator upon completion of the council's term. The legislation also provides that outgoing elected representatives will continue to perform as administrators until newly elected mayors or chairmen assume office. Under another amendment, the deputy mayor or vice chairman will serve as convener of the council and will be empowered to preside over its meetings. Union council chairmen will also be required to identify illegal constructions and report them to the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA). The amendment further provides for the establishment of a Conciliation Commission, which must be constituted within 90 days. Opposition parties strongly rejected the legislation, describing it as a move towards "political authoritarianism" and an attack on democracy. Leaders of MQM-P, PTI and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) expressed their opposition at a press conference at the Sindh Assembly media corner. Leader of the Opposition Ali Khursheedi said "political authoritarianism" was being practised in the Sindh Assembly, alleging that the bill had been passed abruptly by setting aside all other legislative business. He claimed that political parties inside and outside parliament had rejected the legislation. "On one side is the PPP and on the other are the people of the entire province," Khursheedi said, accusing the provincial government of contempt of a Supreme Court judgment. MQM-P lawmaker Iftikhar Alam said the opposition's position had not been heard despite a Supreme Court ruling calling for the devolution of powers to the grassroots level. He said the MQM-P had protested both in the committee and on the floor of the assembly and rejected the bill. PTI MPA Shabbir Qureshi also condemned and rejected the legislation, alleging that the PPP had previously used horse-trading to install Murtaza Wahab as city mayor. Jamaat's Muhammad Farooq said the new local government law did not give adequate powers to chairmen, arguing that the Constitution envisaged devolution of authority to elected local representatives. He alleged that the provincial government had retained all powers after the 18th Amendment and ignored amendments proposed by his party.