KARACHI: Jamaat Islami (JI) challenged amendment in Sindh Local Government Law in Sindh High Court (SHC) with regard to election of unelected persons as mayor or chairmen.

Jamaat Islami second largest group in Karachi’s city council has challenged recent amendments in municipal law in High Court. Party has petitioned to court that local elections were held under Sindh Local Government Act 2013 and elected candidates vying for chairmen and mayors’ offices sworn in under same law.

“An amended law has been passed to facilitate election of unelected persons as chairmen and mayor without taking in account their ineligibility,” JI pleaded. “Under spirit of local councils’ law, mayor should be taken from elected representatives,” it argued. JI has pleaded to high court to declare May 24 notification of recent amendment in the law as unlawful.

Sindh Assembly passed key amendment in Local Government Act in May, also backed by MQM and GDA members allowing mayor to get elected on local council seat within six months after election.

Sind government had earlier decided to amend Local Government Act to delete condition for mayor candidate to be elected on general or special seat of local council.

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 08 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.