KARACHI: (HRNW) The Sindh High Court (SHC) conducted a hearing today regarding the petitions filed by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) challenging the Sindh Local Government (Amendment) Act 2021. The proceedings were marked by administrative delays and judicial frustration.
During the session, the government counsel requested an adjournment, claiming that the case file could not be located. The bench reacted with surprise, questioning how a case file could be missing for a matter set for hearing after three years. The government lawyer assured the court that if granted time, the file would be recovered and a formal reply would be submitted.
Key Arguments Presented:
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Barrister Salahuddin (Counsel for JI): He argued that the 2021 amendments stripped the municipal government of essential sectors, shifting control to the provincial government. He reminded the court that the Sindh government had previously promised to introduce new amendments in light of the Supreme Court’s directives, yet no such legislation has been enacted.
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Tariq Mansoor Advocate (Counsel for MQM): He noted that the Supreme Court has already issued a landmark judgment regarding the devolution of powers and the distribution of authority between provincial and local bodies.
The petitioners maintain that the current law undermines the constitutional spirit of local governance by centralizing power. The court has granted the government a final opportunity to produce the records and has adjourned the hearing until April 16, 2026.
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