Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has agreed to end its sit in on Friday, after consensus was reached between the party protestors and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP)-led government on various amendments to the controversial local government act in Sindh.
Speaking to the assembled JI members, Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah acknowledged that an agreement had been reached after several meetings between the two parties to improve the act and ensure it serves the people.
In the agreed upon amendments, the Karachi Municipal Corporation's (KMC) authority over various city entities will be restored, as the previous version of the act had reduced much of the KMC's power. The KMC will resume authority over education and health sector departments, including hospitals and dispensaries. The Karachi mayor will serve as the chairperson of the water and sewage boards.
The government agreed to form a Provincial Finance Commission within 30 days of local government elections, responsible for distributing finances to district and local government agencies from provincial revenue.
The two parties will continue to discuss whether to grant Karachi Medical and Dental College (KMDC) the designation of a university, as will as measures to restore student unions in Sindh.
On Wednesday, an MQM-P protest against the same local government act turned violent when police fired tear gas and baton-charged party members. One MQM-P worker was killed and many others, including women, children and lawmakers, were injured in the skirmish.
Speaking to the assembled JI members, Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah acknowledged that an agreement had been reached after several meetings between the two parties to improve the act and ensure it serves the people.
In the agreed upon amendments, the Karachi Municipal Corporation's (KMC) authority over various city entities will be restored, as the previous version of the act had reduced much of the KMC's power. The KMC will resume authority over education and health sector departments, including hospitals and dispensaries. The Karachi mayor will serve as the chairperson of the water and sewage boards.
The government agreed to form a Provincial Finance Commission within 30 days of local government elections, responsible for distributing finances to district and local government agencies from provincial revenue.
The two parties will continue to discuss whether to grant Karachi Medical and Dental College (KMDC) the designation of a university, as will as measures to restore student unions in Sindh.
On Wednesday, an MQM-P protest against the same local government act turned violent when police fired tear gas and baton-charged party members. One MQM-P worker was killed and many others, including women, children and lawmakers, were injured in the skirmish.