KARACHI: Sindh Assembly passed legislation to empower heads of local councils. Sindh's Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Chawla tabled bill in Assembly. "Cities' mayors and local councils' heads will be chairmen of concerned divisional, district development authority," according to legislation passed in provincial legislature.

Karachi's Mayor will be ex-officio chairman of Karachi Development Authority, Lyari Development Authority and Malir Development Authority. Mayor Karachi will also be ex-officio chairman of Karachi Water and Sewerage Board as per text of legislation.

Chief Executive of Solid Waste Management Board will be appointed with consultation of concerned mayor and one of three officers proposed by him. Chief Executive of Water Board will also be one of three officials suggested by mayor.

Meanwhile, Mayor Hyderabad will be chairman of Hyderabad Development Authority. Head of concerned district council will be Sehwan Development Authority's ex-officio chairman. Employees of all development authorities will be subordinate to council, according to draft of bill.

Sindh Cabinet approved establishment of Provincial Finance Commission for distribution of financial resources to all districts and local government agencies from provincial revenues a day earlier.

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah who presided over Cabinet meeting directed chief secretary to get PFC notified as he wanted to announce PFC award before end of his tenure.