PPP, MQM agree to give magisterial powers to nazims

The PPP and the MQM have agreed to give magisterial powers to elected nazims to curb price hike and take action against violators of municipal rules. -APP File Photo KARACHI: The Pakistan People`s Party and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement have agreed to give magisterial powers to elected nazims and certain officers of local governments to curb price hike and take action against violators of municipal rules. This was decided at a meeting held at the Chief Minister`s House on Sunday. The MQM side was represented by Dr Farooq Sattar and Syed Sardar Ahmed and the PPP by Chief Minist er Qaim Ali Shah, Finance Minister Murad Ali Shah and Law Minister Ayaz Soomro. Sources said the meeting noted that the Sindh High Court had refused to grant magisterial powers to certain officials of local governments across the province and, therefore, it was difficult to perform certain administrative actions and curb the price hike because officials could not take action against profiteers and hoarders. According to them, the meeting decided that the law secretary would prepare a draft in the light of the Sindh Local Government Ordinance, 2001, to grant magisterial powers to elected nazims and to certain officials of the revenue department and then send it to the chief minister for further action. The sources made it clear that the meeting did not discuss the issue of revival of the commissionerate system in the province.