Sindh local govt law hits a roadblock as opposition cries foul

A proposed overhaul of Sindh’s local government law ran into fierce opposition on Saturday, with MQM-P, PTI and Jamaat-e-Islami rejecting key government proposals and accusing the provincial administration of seeking to curb elected mayors’ powers and pave the way for unelected administrators. A parliamentary committee constituted to examine amendments to the Sindh Local Government Act met at the Sindh Assembly, with government and opposition lawmakers taking part. The meeting reviewed the proposed new local government legislation, while representatives of participating parties also submitted their own amendments. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar said the government had proposed a mechanism for the period following the completion of local representatives’ terms. Read: Sindh moves to keep mayors, chairmen in power after term Under the proposal, he said, the Election Commission of Pakistan would be formally approached 120 days before local government elections, allowing sufficient time for delimitation and other electoral preparations. Lanjar said delimitation was essential before elections and pointed out that different schedules had been issued during previous polls. Once an election schedule was announced, he added, the Election Commission would make the necessary arrangements, while an administrator would handle day-to-day affairs in the interim. He said the government wanted to strengthen the Election Commission, adding that political parties represented in the committee had also put forward their proposed amendments. The government’s position, however, drew a sharp response from opposition members. MQM-P lawmaker Taha Ahmed rejected the committee proceedings outright, alleging that the government was treating the Sindh Assembly as a “personal domain” and deliberately resisting the transfer of powers to elected local representatives. He demanded that mayors be given full powers under Article 140-A of the Constitution and called for implementation of the PPP’s own 2008 manifesto commitment on devolution of local government powers. Ahmed questioned the proposed removal of the mayor’s authority over the master plan, solid waste management and the Water Board, alleging that legislation was being tailored to strengthen a “fake mayor”. He warned that MQM-P would launch protests across the country if what he described as controversial legislation was not stopped. Also Read: Karachi mayor’s office affected as fire breaks out at KMC building MQM-P’s Iftikhar Alam also rejected the proposed law, saying the party had serious reservations about making mayors administrators. Such an arrangement, he argued, could compromise the transparency of elections, particularly if polls were delayed because the proposed amendments did not clearly define the administrator’s tenure. Alam said the committee had also failed to address the transfer of powers to local governments in line with Supreme Court directives, describing the proceedings as a “joke”. PTI’s Shabbir Qureshi said his party had rejected the government’s proposals, particularly the suggestion to place unelected representatives in union councils. PTI, he said, had instead demanded the appointment of internal administrators. Qureshi also criticised the existing arrangements for solid waste management and alleged that powers had been taken away from the Water Board and the Sindh Building Control Authority. He called for the implementation of the Sindh Local Government Act 2013 in accordance with Article 140-A and Supreme Court judgments. Jamaat-e-Islami’s Muhammad Farooq said Sindh already had a local government law, but the system remained powerless because authority had not been genuinely devolved. He said JI had proposed holding local government elections within 120 days and opposed appointing administrators, but its amendments were not accepted. The party also rejected a proposed oversight mechanism in place of transferring powers down to the union council level. Farooq said none of the proposals submitted by JI three months ago had been accepted and warned that the party would approach the courts if the proposed amendments were enacted.  

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MQM-P turns up the heat for new province, says urban Sindh case ‘strongest’

The MQM-P has renewed its push for new provinces, declaring that the case for a separate administrative unit in urban Sindh is stronger than anywhere else in the country and warning that a transparent census and corrected voter lists could force the PPP to confront the demand itself. Speaking at a seminar titled “National Dialogue” organised by the MQM-P Graduate Forum Pakistan at a local hotel on Saturday, party chairman and Federal Education Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said the demand for new provinces dated back to the APMSO era, well before the formation of the MQM. “Pakistan is our motherland, while provinces are merely administrative units,” Siddiqui said, arguing that provinces should be divided on the basis of population to improve governance and facilitate development. Read: Parliament to decide on creating new provinces: Sanaullah He maintained that although the existing provinces had been formed largely along linguistic lines, the MQM-P was seeking new provinces on administrative grounds. Of all demands for new provinces across the country, he said, the case of urban Sindh was “the strongest and most justified” because the region carried a major share of Pakistan’s economic burden while continuing to face deprivation. Siddiqui further claimed that if an honest and transparent census were conducted in Sindh and voter lists were properly corrected, the PPP itself would be compelled to demand the creation of a new province. Senior MQM-P leader Dr Farooq Sattar said the country’s four provinces were effectively controlled by a handful of families, while the status quo had survived despite the devolution of powers to provinces under the 18th Amendment. He said provincial powers had failed to trickle down to the grassroots and announced that the MQM-P had already submitted a constitutional amendment bill in the National Assembly seeking to empower local governments under Article 140-A. Sattar also called for a public referendum on the creation of new provinces under Article 48(6), urging people from different walks of life to unite for what he described as a historic rally on Sharae Faisal in support of their survival and development. Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Rehan Hanif, trader leader Atiq Mir and former bureaucrat Barrister Shahab Imam also spoke in favour of new administrative units and an empowered local government system, saying Karachi’s economic infrastructure had deteriorated and that restrictions on hiring local residents in public institutions, coupled with the appointment of non-local personnel, had aggravated a sense of injustice.

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IHC seeks affidavits on non-use of state machinery for PTI Sept 27 protest

The Islamabad High Court (IHC), hearing a case against the PTI’s September 27 protest, on Saturday sought affidavits from the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary and inspector general of police after the former assured the court that government machinery or resources would not be used for any political gathering. The court directed both officials to submit affidavits confirming that government machinery and resources would not be used for political gatherings. The larger bench also sought arguments from the Islamabad advocate general and prosecutor general at the next hearing. Read: Tariq Fazal warns PTI of ‘other options’ if Sept 27 march goes ahead A two-page written order was issued by the bench comprising Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar, Justice Azam Khan and Justice Muhammad Asif. According to the order, the advocates general of K-P, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan had completed their arguments. The court noted that the KP secretary had given an undertaking that government machinery or resources would not be used for any political gathering. The court subsequently directed the K-P chief secretary and inspector general of police to submit affidavits to this effect at the next hearing. The case will be heard on Monday at 10am.  The court clarified that the chief secretaries and inspectors general of police of the provinces were not required to appear in person.

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PPP signals flexibility on legislation

Backchannel contacts between the government and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have reportedly yielded progress towards ending a weeks-long political and legislative deadlock between the two coalition partners as National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq plays a key role in brokering the talks. According to a private television channel report, the behind-the-scenes efforts have helped ease differences between the government and the PPP as the latter shows willingness to adopt a more flexible position on legislation. Further contacts are continuing between the two sides to settle their remaining differences. The reported breakthrough comes after weeks of friction that had disrupted parliamentary business. In August, the PPP had withheld cooperation on legislation after its lawmakers blocked or deferred government business in the NA and parliamentary committees. The party had linked its position to unresolved grievances, including its reservations over the AJK elections and other political issues. The tensions had become particularly visible on the floor of the National Assembly on August 19, when the government was forced to defer a sizeable legislative agenda after the PPP declined to cooperate. The standoff also affected parliamentary quorum. Against this backdrop, sources said the government had given NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq a full mandate to maintain contacts and negotiate with the PPP to resolve the impasse. The speaker subsequently held meetings with PPP leaders in his chamber as the two sides explored ways to restore cooperation on parliamentary affairs. Sources say progress has been made in the discussions and the PPP is also prepared to show flexibility on legislation.

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Broadband internet services to resume in AJK capital after months-long disruption

Broadband internet services will be restored across the capital city of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Sunday (tomorrow), providing residents with access to fixed-line internet after prolonged restrictions on mobile data services. Sources told The Express Tribune that DSL connectivity will also be restored, while 3G and 4G mobile internet services will remain unavailable. The move is expected to provide some relief to students, businesses, journalists, professionals and households that have faced difficulties accessing online services during the suspension of mobile internet. Read: AJK PM Iftikhar Gilani restores internet, easing months-long disruption However, the continued absence of 3G and 4G services means users dependent on mobile data will remain without connectivity, particularly those who do not have access to fixed-line DSL connections. The restoration of DSL services comes amid continued demands from residents and business communities for the restoration of normal internet connectivity across the region. AJK High Court Judge Justice Shahid Bahar had issued directions on Wednesday for the restoration of internet services within 10 days. Justice Bahar issued the directions during the preliminary hearing of two separate petitions filed by the AJK Bar Association and a local citizen seeking the restoration of internet services. The court clubbed the petitions and directed the government to ensure restoration within 10 days, while allowing an exception for areas where law and order conditions did not permit the resumption of services. The order comes after months of disruption to internet connectivity in AJK, which has severely affected education, businesses, government operations and digital services. On August 31, on the directives of AJK Prime Minister Iftikhar Gilani, authorities issued a notification partially restoring internet services in several districts. The DSL services were subsequently restored in areas including Mirpur, Neelum and Haveli, but full connectivity remained unavailable in Muzaffarabad. Internet services were initially suspended on June 5 following a long march and sit-in announced by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee in Rawalakot. After around 48 days of disruption, services were partially restored, but connectivity in Muzaffarabad was suspended again on July 25 following a strike and clashes. Also Read: Internet services partially restored in parts of AJK after 48-day suspension Prime Minister Gilani had announced the restoration of internet services during his first media interaction at the Muzaffarabad Press Club on August 31. The prolonged suspension has taken a heavy toll on economic and professional activities. Students have been among the worst affected, while traders dependent on digital payments have suffered financial losses. Freelancers, government employees and other professionals have also faced difficulties performing routine work due to the lack of reliable internet access.

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JI announces Sept 20 long march to Islamabad over petroleum levy

As the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) gears up for its long march towards Islamabad, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Friday also announced plans for a long march towards the federal capital on Sept 20 to press the government to withdraw the petroleum levy, calling it a “goon tax”. Addressing participants of the JI sit-in at Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh through a video link, Rehman said negotiations between the JI and the government team over the withdrawal of the petroleum levy had failed. He said the government claimed it was helpless to abolish the levy because it was an International Monetary Fund (IMF) demand. Read: JI talks at table, turns heat on streets “If this is so, did Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz seek the IMF’s permission before purchasing an aircraft worth Rs11 billion?” he asked. “Did she seek the IMF’s permission for the expenses she is incurring in London these days?” “These are all theatrics. End these theatrics and abolish the goon tax,” he said, also calling for the abolition of taxes on independent power producers (IPPs). Rehman also criticised the Punjab chief minister over her use of expensive aircraft. “Maryam Nawaz is travelling in expensive aircraft while our mothers and daughters are suffering in Qingqi rickshaws,” he said. Addressing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he warned the premier of public anger and said he should realise before it was too late; otherwise, he would not get an aircraft to flee the country, while drawing a parallel with former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina. “Understand the public’s anger. Sheikh Hasina was provided an aircraft to flee; you will not even get an aircraft,” he said. Rehman said he would personally participate in the women’s sit-in in Rawalpindi on Saturday and address the gathering. He added that he would also lead the women’s march towards Islamabad. He said a long march towards Islamabad would then be held from across the country on Sept 20. “Let the government place as many containers as it wants. The people will sweep them away,” he said, adding that the entire nation would come out for the long march. *Urgent Trend Alert* 🚨 🔥 *اب اگلا مرحلہ اسلام آباد ہے!* امیر جماعت اسلامی پاکستان حافظ نعیم الرحمٰن نے بھتہ لیوی کے خلاف *20 ستمبر کو اسلام آباد لانگ مارچ* کا اعلان کر دیا ہے۔ اب یہ جدوجہد ایک نئے مرحلے میں داخل ہو چکی ہے۔ حکومت کو بھتہ لیوی واپس لینے پر مجبور کرنا ہے تو… pic.twitter.com/JOX9Lceiko — Jamaat e Islami Pakistan (@JIPOfficial) September 11, 2026 Calling for an end to interest-based financial practices, Rehman said: “End interest. This is an open war against Allah Almighty.” He also strongly criticised Maryam, accusing her of destroying Punjab’s education and health systems and said the province’s ninth-grade results this year had been disastrous. He said she wanted schools and health centres to be named after her, while alleging that 11,000 schools and all basic health centres had been put up for sale. JI chief warned that if the petroleum levy was not abolished, the JI would launch a movement to oust the government.

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PM Shehbaz directs no area to face more than two hours of load-shedding

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday took notice of persistent electricity load-shedding in the country and directed authorities to ensure no area faces more than two hours of load-shedding According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier chaired a review meeting on electricity load management in Islamabad. He expressed displeasure at the worsening load-shedding situation in several cities and took notice of prolonged power outages across the country. وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی زیر صدارت ملک میں بجلی کی لوڈ مینیجمینٹ پر اہم جائزہ اجلاس آج اسلام آباد میں منعقد ہوا. وزیراعظم نے ملک کے مختلف علاقوں میں بجلی کی لوڈ شیڈنگ کا نوٹس لے لیا. وزیراعظم نے ملک کے مختلف شہروں میں بجلی کی بڑھتی ہوئی لوڈ شیڈنگ پر اظہار برہمی کیا. وزیرِ… pic.twitter.com/dOqY2g25fd — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 11, 2026 “No area should experience load shedding for more than two hours,” he said, directing authorities to utilise all available resources effectively to provide relief to the public. The meeting was informed that the recent situation in the region, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and transmission difficulties had affected the supply of RLNG, resulting in a reduction in electricity generation and necessitating load management to maintain a balance between demand and supply. “Keeping in view the situation in the region and future requirements, immediate measures be taken to address disruptions in RLNG transmission,” the prime minister directed. Read: Load-shedding plagues Punjab as shortfall rises He also ordered the establishment of Consumer Grievance Redressal Committees at the Discos level to address public complaints related to electricity transmission and other issues across the country. The prime minister directed that public representatives should also be included in the grievance redressal committees and that the committees should be made functional within a week. The meeting was told that electricity consumers could register their complaints through helpline 118. Upon registration, a consumer is provided with a token number and a timeframe for resolution of the complaint. It was further informed that, at present, apart from six electricity consumers in Rajanpur district, no consumer across the country was without electricity due to monsoon rains. The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Climate Change Mushtaq Malik, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, Federal Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Leghari, Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani and relevant senior government officials. The prime minister’s action came as the country’s electricity shortfall had exceeded 4,000 megawatts, leading to prolonged load-shedding in various areas. Sources said the shortfall faced by the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) had crossed 1,200MW, while the overall power shortfall had risen above 4,000MW. The situation has also triggered concerns in the provinces. Last Friday, the Punjab Assembly unanimously passed a resolution against severe electricity load-shedding across the province, with lawmakers questioning the government’s energy policies. Also Read: NEPRA orders K-Electric to end load-shedding The problem has become more severe in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, where load-shedding in some areas has reportedly exceeded 12 hours a day. Karachi and other parts of Sindh have also been facing prolonged power cuts, with residents having to endure more than 10 hours of load-shedding a day. Amid the situation, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) ordered K-Electric to immediately stop unannounced, unscheduled and excessive load-shedding in Karachi. The regulator also banned the utility from cutting power to entire feeders on the basis of aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses, saying the practice unlawfully penalised paying consumers.

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