Ruling on LG law case: Retiring CJP gives big relief to Sindh citizens
Retiring Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed has given a big relief to Sindh citizens following his ruling on the case, annulling the clauses 74 and 75 of Sindh LG Act 2013.
ISLAMABAD: The retiring CJP Justice Gulzar Ahmed has given a big relief to Sindh citizens following his ruling on the case, annulling the clauses 74 and 75 of Sindh Local Government (LG) Act 2013.
The Supreme Court (SC) directed the Sindh government to make all LG regulations in line with Article 140A and wrapped the petition filed by Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) challenging the Sindh LG Act 2013.
In the ruling, the top court ordered the Sindh authorities to amend the clauses going contradictory to the powers of the local and provincial governments.
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CJP Justice Gulzar Ahmed announced the reserved verdict on the MQM-P petition challenging the 2013 Sindh LG Act. The judgement read that the local bodies have powers to finalise master plan and implementation, whereas, the provincial government could not launch a new project under the local government.
The ruling added that the Sindh government is bound to establish empowered LG institutions. The CJP also stated in the verdict that financial, administrative and political powers should be ensured for the local government besides maintaining a good working relation and coordination.
Clauses 74 and 75 of the Sindh LG Act 2013 have been nullified by the top court.
The Sindh government has been directed to amend the law for the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) Act, Karachi Development Authority (KDA), Malir Development Authority (KDA) and Hyderabad Development Authority, Lyari Development Authority, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KW&SB), Sehwan Development Authority and Larkana Development Authority.
It may be mentioned here that CJP Justice Gulzar Ahmed is set to retire today and Justice Umar Ata Bandial will take oath as the next chief justice of Pakistan on Wednesday (tomorrow).
For Karachi, the retiring CJP Gulzar Ahmed gave many rulings, drawing criticism against the judiciary after he ordered actions against illegal constructions and encroachments.
Following his judgements, thousands of houses alongside Gujjar and Mehmoodabad drainage nullahs were demolished. Moreover, many residential commercial projects including Nasla Tower, Aladin Amusement Park, shopping mall, recreational club, Royal Park Residency, Tejori Heights and others were also demolished.
The people and businesspersons displaced after the anti-encroachment operations were still waiting for the compensation following the SC rulings.
