WE OPPOSE RECENT ENACTMENT OF SINDH LOCAL GOVERNMENT ORDINANCE 2001

WE OPPOSE RECENT ENACTMENT OF SINDH LOCAL GOVERNMENT ORDINANCE 2001:

We, the ordinary Sindhis, whose roots are Sindh province of Pakistan, express our shock and dismay at the recent decision by the Government of Pakistan to enact a repealed Sindh Local Government Ordinance 2001. We consider it as an insult to the Sindh Assembly (Parliament of Sindh Province) members in general and People of Sindh in particular.

We are alarmed on the collapse of law and order, corrupt system of governance prevailing in the province and threats to the Unity of Sindh by the inept and conscious policies of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) that claims to represent people of Sindh and one of its coalition partner.

We condemn the manner in which the affairs of the province are being handled by the Pakistan Government with particular reference to the enactment and re-enactment of Sindh Local Government Ordinance 2001 on the pressure of one of its coalition partner and to the complete exclusion of Sindhi masses from the decision-making.

We believe that that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has lost its representative character which has been amply proved from the widespread mass protests and strikes of last two days by the people of Sindh. We congratulate the people of Sindh for waging valiant struggle for the rights of their motherland.

In continuation of our struggle for the emancipation of people from the corrupt system of governance and secure the interests of Sindh and its people, we hereby declare as follows:

1. That Government must tender unconditional apology to the people of Sindh for injuring their sentiments and undermining their mandate.

2. We believe that PPP is harming the unity of Sindh and thus no longer represents the national and democratic aspirations of the people of Sindh.

3. That PPP government must withdraw the repealing ordinance reviving Sindh Local Ordinance, 2001 which is in complete derogation of law and constitution as repealed Act of a provincial Assembly could not be revived by an Ordinance issued by the Governor. Governor, being a representative of Federation, has no authority under the law to rescind the legislation passed by a duly elected Assembly of the province. And any legislation against the aspirations of people of Sindh would be a void enactment.

4. That PPP must also withdraw the ordinance repealing various provisions of Sindh Land Revenue Act 1967 which established a system of governance based on deputy Commissioners and Commissioners.

5. That Karachi being a Metropolitan city is being inhabited by various communities and for the sake of representative local government system; it must be organized into six districts including a new District of Layari. PPP must also take steps to check unhindered influx of illegal immigrants in Karachi and introduce such legislation under article 15 of the constitution.

6. That during the last few years of miss-rule by various governments, Sindh has suffered immensely. Merit killing, breakdown of law and order, corruption and bad governance has been the order of day. The flood affected people of Sindh still live in miserable conditions. People of Sindh want that this system of corruption and maladministration to end, WE demand that Sindh must have a clean and corruption-free Government that is free from all kinds of coercion and lawlessness.

7. The Sindhis all over the world would continue their struggle for their national rights and for establishing a humane society in Sindh until that goal is achieved.

8. We solemnly affirm to oppose with full force all conspiracies against the unity and sovereignty of Sindh and appeal the electorate of Sindh to replace the present treacherous lot of elected representatives with capable and conscientious sons of soil so that interests and resources of Sindh could be secured and right of its people to rule their land could be established once for all.