Two amendments to Sindh Local Govt. Act passed

Two amendments to the Sindh Local Government Act was passed by the Sindh Assembly on Wednesday despite protests and slogans by the opposition leaders.

An amendment to the act calls for monitoring of local government representatives by the Sindh Government, inviting the wrath of opposition leaders Khawaja Izharul Hasan of the MQM and Sheheryar Mehr of the PML-F who argued the move showed the government did not want to hold local government elections.

Sindh Local Government Minister Jam Khan Shoro, however, contended that monitoring of local government representatives was necessary to ensure they did not engage in illegal activities, reports Dawn.

Sindh Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Nisar Ahmed Khuhro tabled the amendments as members of the opposition chanted slogans of 'shame', protesting before the assembly speaker.

A second amendment to the act passed into law on Wednesday was in accordance with an earlier Supreme Court verdict ordering the election of local government representatives, including mayor, deputy mayor, chairman and vice chairman, through secret ballot instead of a show of hands within 60 days.

The amendment was passed with consensus in the assembly.