Sindh Assembly forms 11-member body to examine amendments to local govt law

Sindh Assembly establishes an 11-member special committee to review the Sindh Local Government (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The bill aims to make significant changes to the local government law of 2013, including the possibility of outgoing mayors and chairmen continuing as administrators beyond their term's end. The committee is composed of seven members from the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party and four from opposition parties.

The proposed bill also allows councils to create institutions independently or through public-private partnerships. Upon the expiration of a council's term, the outgoing mayor or chairman would continue to hold administrative powers until the newly elected leader assumes office. Additionally, the bill empowers the government to appoint a deputy mayor or vice-chairman if the officeholder is absent or unable to fulfill duties.

The bill calls for the establishment of "Reconciliation Forums" in various local bodies, staffed by three conciliators nominated by the council from among respected residents. These forums will resolve local disputes. Two new entries have been added to Schedule-IX, granting union councils responsibility for managing solid waste and enforcing building control violations.

Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla reported that the bill also addresses car dealer regulations, reducing penalties for late vehicle registration. The minister emphasized the government's efforts to improve the transport sector, including banning CNG and LPG kits in small vehicles for safety reasons and digitizing the fitness and route permit system.

For water shortages in Karachi, Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Qasim Soomro stated that the issue would not be resolved until the K-IV project is completed, and that the Karachi Municipal Corporation is responsible for repairing open storm drains.