PPP accepts MQM plea to shelve LB bill amendment
By Shamim-ur-Rahman
KARACHI: In a major initiative for normalisation of their estranged relationship, the Pakistan People’s Party and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement agreed on Friday that all lawmaking, including the one relating to the commissionarate system, would be made in consultation with coalition partners.
This, according to observers, means that the government will not table the amended local government bill in the Sindh Assembly.
The agreement was reached at a meeting of a committee set up by President Asif Ali Zardari to sort out issues between coalition partners in the province. The five-hour long meeting between Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad and Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah was held at the Governor’s House.
According to a press release issued by the Governor’s House, the decision was taken “in accordance with the vision” of President Zardari and MQM chief Altaf Hussain. The meeting discussed, besides others, the issue of commissionarate system – a bone of contention between the two parties. A report on the meeting will be submitted to the president.
Analysts described the move as a breakthrough, although modalities are yet to be worked out. Mr Ibad and Mr Malik played a key role in lowering the temperature between the two parties.
The MQM has objected to the government’s bill to replace the local bodies with the commissionarate system and conveyed its reservations to Mr Zardari.
Source: Dawn
Date:1/1/2011
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