Sindh Assembly approves controversial LG amendments

The Sindh Assembly on Monday approved amendments to the Sindh Local Government Act, 2013, amid strong opposition from lawmakers who protested and chanted slogans against the proposed changes.

The Sindh Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2026 was presented by Law Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar after he submitted the report of a special committee formed to review the proposed legislation. Opposition members from different parties gathered in the assembly aisles and disrupted proceedings as the bill was introduced.

The opposition had earlier jointly opposed the amendments, describing them as unconstitutional and arguing that they could undermine elected local governments.

One of the major changes allows outgoing mayors and chairmen to continue performing their duties as administrators after the expiry of their councils’ terms. They will retain these powers until newly elected local government heads formally take charge.

The amended law also requires the provincial government to approach the Election Commission of Pakistan at least 120 days before the expiry of a council’s term, seeking elections to be held within the stipulated period.

Another provision allows the government to assign the responsibilities of a deputy mayor or vice-chairman to another council member if the officeholder is outside Pakistan or otherwise unable to perform official duties.

The legislation also permits local councils to establish institutions independently or through public-private partnerships.

A new Chapter VII-A has been introduced to create Reconciliation Forums in union councils, union committees, town committees and municipal committees. Each forum will comprise three conciliators selected from among local residents considered to have integrity, sound judgement and a respectable standing.

The forums will seek to resolve local disputes through amicable settlements under prescribed procedures. Conciliators will serve for the duration of the council’s term but may be removed over persistent partiality or malpractice.

The amendments further assign union councils responsibility for identifying issues involving solid waste management, building control violations and unauthorised construction. The councils will share details with relevant authorities for further action.