The Pakistan Peoples Party has decided to oppose the government’s proposed amendments to the local government law for Islamabad in the relevant standing committee, according to sources.
The federal government’s ordinance governing local government institutions in Islamabad is set to expire on September 5.
The government is expected to seek passage of the new local government legislation in the standing committee on Thursday with the support of its majority.
Sources said the PPP and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf are holding discussions on jointly opposing the bill in Parliament. The two parties could coordinate their opposition when the legislation is presented before the House, according to the sources.
The government needs the PPP’s support to pass the proposed legislation for Islamabad, the sources said. If the bill is not passed by both houses of Parliament by September 5, the Election Commission of Pakistan could order local government elections to be held under the existing delimitation.
The proposed legislation has become a point of contention as the deadline for the government’s ordinance approaches, with political parties discussing their positions on the future framework for Islamabad’s local government system.
Earlier, federal cabinet has approved a new local government system for Islamabad, according to sources.
The Islamabad local government bill will be presented before the Senate Standing Committee on Interior on Thursday for approval, the sources said.
Under the proposed system, Islamabad’s local government will comprise three constituencies. The councils will include general councillors, as well as reserved representation for women and minorities.
Following approval by the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, the bill will be presented before the Senate and National Assembly for final approval.
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The move comes as the government seeks to establish a new legal framework for local government institutions in Islamabad.
