The Sindh government is planning significant legislative changes to eliminate the appointment of administrators between local government terms and to increase the authority of deputy mayors and vice chairmen, it was announced on Monday.
The policy shift was detailed by Minister for Local Government, Housing and Town Planning, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, during his address at the Sindh Local Government Conference 2025, according to an official information today. He emphasized that devolving powers to the grassroots level is the “real solution to public problems.”
Shah revealed that under the proposed new laws, current elected representatives will continue in their roles until a complete transfer of power to their successors is finalized. “No administrators will be appointed anymore,” he stated, marking a fundamental change in the management of local bodies after a term expires.
The minister noted that all recommendations presented at the conference would be implemented based on special directives from Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to urgently resolve issues faced by elected officials. He invited representatives to contribute suggestions to help formulate more effective laws.
Asserting that Sindh already possesses the “most empowered and strongest local government system in the entire country,” Shah confirmed that further legislation is being pursued to devolve additional powers and strengthen elected representatives.
Syed Kamil Haider Shah, President of the Local Council Association of Pakistan, addressed the conference, describing the association as a “bridge between the provincial government and local government representatives.” He pointed out that 98% of elected local government chairmen in Sindh belong to the Pakistan Peoples Party.
Kamil Haider Shah also put forward several key demands, including the allocation of budgetary funds for travel and daily allowances (TA/DA) for District Council members, who he said currently receive no such compensation. He further advocated for giving mayors and chairmen a formal role in every government department.
He concluded that the continuity of local government elections is essential for strengthening the councils. The event was attended by notable figures including Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Deputy Mayor Karachi Salman Abdullah Murad, Mayor Sukkur Arsalan Shaikh, and President of Local Council Association Sindh, Gul Muhammad Jakhrani.