Sindh Assembly passes LG law amendment amid opposition uproar

KARACHI: In a heated session, the Sindh Assembly passed the Sindh Local Government (LG) Act 2026 (Amendment) Bill on Monday, amidst strong opposition protests from all parties. The legislation seeks to make significant changes to the 2013 local government law, including permitting outgoing mayors and chairmen to retain administrative roles post-term.

Law Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar requested permission to introduce the bill following the special committee's report. However, opposition lawmakers gathered in the chamber aisles, protesting the proposed amendments with slogans and disruptions that lasted several minutes.

All opposition parties previously united to reject the bill, deeming it "unconstitutional" and aimed at weakening elected local bodies. The draft law, they argued, permits councils to establish institutions independently or through public-private partnerships and mandates the government to seek Election Commission approval before conducting fresh elections within 120 days of a council's term expiry.

Crucially, the bill grants the government authority to assign the duties of a deputy mayor or vice-chairman to another member if the incumbent is absent from Pakistan or unable to perform functions. It also proposes the establishment of "Reconciliation Forums" in various councils, tasked with settling local disputes amicably.

Two new entries have been added to Schedule-IX, obligating union councils to identify solid waste management issues, building control violations, and unauthorized constructions within their jurisdiction. Additionally, detailed maps of public service infrastructure have been mandated in relevant documents.