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THOUGH THE NAZIMS

Though the Nazims’ reign ended in all the four provinces and government
officials have replaced them as administrators, the issue as to how the next
local governments system would shape up is yet to be decided. The
components of ruling alliance, except the MQM, are on the same page on the
issue as all of them wanted the present local government system, which they
say is the legacy of General Musharraf, to be replaced. The MQM is a
staunch supporter of the old system, as it has been a king maker during the
General’s era and benefited the most by the present system.
The MQM’s differences with PPP over the LG system led to prolonging the
tenure of nazim almost by four months. We have written in these columns
that the thorny issue of future LGs system might cause the fragile ruling
alliance to rip through, as the MQM is not seemed to budge an inch from
stance that the present system should be continued with minor changes, if
required.
However, the PPP, especially its Sindh chapter leadership, has stuck to its
guns that the system should be replaced with some better system, besides
restoring the commissionerate system.
The core committee of the two parties has held many marathon meetings
recently, but the two sides failed to reach any consensus. On Monday, the
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)
core committee met at the Chief Minister’s House, but failed to evolve
consensus on the future of LG system.
Sources close to these meeting told weekly Pulse that the two sides have left
any decision on the structure of the new local government system to their
party chiefs, President Asif Ali Zardari and Altaf Hussain, after no
agreement could be reached at.
Both parties have refused to budge from their positions, with the Muttahida
delegation informing the PPP at the meeting that they will have to consult
the MQM Secretariat in London for further advice, adding that it seems that
Hussain and President Zardari will have to resolve the matter on their own.
On the other hand, Sindh Local Government Minister Agha Siraj Durrani
accused the MQM of using delaying tactics, claiming that March 24 is the
last date for the government to evolve a new system, and failure to reach an
agreement will ultimately result in the old system being revived.
“We will not allow such delaying tactics by Muttahida, and we will get the
timeframe to evolve a new system extended through the Sindh Assembly
session,” Durrani said.
He said that MQM’s message about deferring the matter to their party
leadership has also been conveyed to President Zardari. Durrani reiterated
the PPP position on the new system, claiming that the MQM has been
informed that police and land revenue can never be placed under the control
of the local government, as it would be tantamount to the violation of the
Constitution of 1973. He said that any such demand would entail “clipping
the powers of the chief minister,” and the PPP will never let this happen.
The minister further said that President Zardari talks to the PPP leadership in
Sindh in his capacity as co-chairperson, and gives them direction and
guidelines so that they can ultimately take a d
Decision on their own. However, he said, the MQM is unable to take any
decision till now.
Political pundits, meanwhile, believe that chances of LG polls being held on
time are becoming increasingly bleak, as the Election Commission was to
give a 120 days timeframe, but the situation regarding local bodies in Sindh
still hangs in the balance.
Pundits are arguing that the president might send Federal Interior Minister
Rehman Malik to London again, and another round of talks will ensue.
Alternatively, the Sindh governor might convene a meeting of the PPP and
MQM leadership, as in the past, to defuse tensions, but this time round, the
MQM will press on ensuring the “urban factor” in any discussions.
Political analysts are speculating that the MQM leadership may head to
London or Dubai so that a decision could be reached at without the prying
gaze of the media. It is to be mentioned here that both the parties have
already drafted their own LG laws and exchanged the draft of the new law
prepared by them, but they could not reach any consensus so far.
Except MQM, the PPP and its other coalition partners, ANP and PML-F
have already developed consensus to restore the new local government
matching to the 1979 LG system.
The PPP, in its draft law, has suggested reduction in numbers of the
councilors from the existing strength of 13 in districts, Tehsils and Unions
Councils, to a suitable level.
The MQM accuses PPP of being not serious in holding local bodies’ polls in
the timeframe given by President Aisf Ali Zardari. MQM sources told
weekly Pulse that the attitude of PPP’s central leadership of avoiding to hold
talks with the MQM is strengthening their apprehension that the PPP is not
serious in holding elections within four months, as announced by Asif Ali
Zardari. They argued that the local PPP leadership has yet to start
preparations for the upcoming polls, which compelled them to think that
PPP is not foreseeing any elections in next four months.

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