No PPP-MQM consensus on LBs' fate yet

KARACHI The ambiguity persists about the fate of local bodies in Sindh as the Core Committee of PPP and MQM, the two coalition partners in Sindh government, which met here on Wednesday after the assembly session is yet to evolve a consensus.
Sindh ministers, Syed Sardar Ahmed, Faisal Sabzwari and Raza Haroon from MQM and Senior Minister and Parliamentary leader of PPP in Sindh Assembly Pir Mazharul Haq, Minister for Local Bodies Agha Siraj Durrani and Law Minister Ayaz Soomro represented PPP in the Core Committee meeting.
Later, talking to the media, Siraj Durrani said the President had transferred his powers to the provinces regarding local bodies. He said there was unanimity between the coalition partners on all issues and it would continue in the future. He said that Sindh Governor and Chief Minister would finalise the issue of local bodies after their meeting.
MQM deputy parliamentary leader in Sindh Assembly Faisal Sabzwari said there was no deadlock and if there was a bill on the local bodies it would be tabled in Sindh Assembly but the bill was not coming at this time. He said that all the issues would be settled amicably through discussion and consultations, and any decision would be made public as it reached.
Todays meeting was exclusively for the sake of legislation in the assembly so that any bill tabled on the floor might be presented after proper scrutiny, he said, adding the parliamentary party leaders of the two parties would meet again.
Earlier, before the assembly session, the Sindh Local Bodies Minister told the media that a consensus had been evolved for the appointment of administrators in place of district Nazims, adding that local bodies (amendment) bill would be tabled in the Sindh assembly after directives from central high command of the party.
Sources said President Asif Zardari will arrive in the City from Istanbul late Wednesday and the issue would be resolved after consultations between the President and MQM Chief Altaf Hussain.