SHC asks PSP leader to satisfy bench on maintainability of plea against LB bill

KARACHI: Sindh High Court on Monday asked counsel for Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) leader Arshad Vohra to satisfy the bench on the maintainability of his petition against the latest amendments in Sindh Local Government Ordinance 2013.

A two-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Ahmed Ali M Sheikh at the very outset inquired from Advocate Hassaan Sabir, counsel for the PSP leader, as to how he could seek a writ against law passed by the provincial assembly.

Justice Sheikh further inquired from counsel whether the bill passed by the provincial assembly had been signed in to Act by the provincial governor.

The counsel replied that it had been sent to the governor for signing.

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The bench observed that then how could a petition be maintainable against a bill that is yet to be converted into law. The bench directed counsel to advance his argument on this point and satisfy it whether the petition warranted pre-admission notices to the respondent.

The PSP leader had filed a petition against amendment in Sindh Local Government Ordinance 2013 terming it a bad law that was passed with ill-intentions and patently contravened Articles 32 and 140 of the Constitution.

The petitioner submitted that Article 32 guaranteed promotion of local government institutions while Article 140 guaranteed devolution of administrative and financial powers to such local government institutions.

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Instead of promoting local government institutions, the impugned bill aimed at curbing whatever, administrative and financial powers such institution had in Sindh.