Stay order in mayoral elections across Sindh would remain intact till March 30 as Supreme Court on Thursday issued notices to Advocates General of Islamabad, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa and Balochistan provinces seeking their input over the issue. In response to identical pleas filed against Sindh High Court's (SHC) decision, declaring provincial government's amendment to the local government law which had replaced secret ballot with a show of hands to choose representatives in the province as void, the court had stayed the high court verdict on February 16, 2016.
Appearing before a three-member bench of Justice Gulzar Ahmad in the matter, Additional Attorney General for Pakistan Waqar Rana sought adjournment showing inability of the principal law officer to appear before the court in the instant case. MQM' leader Dr Farooq Sattar and his counsel Dr Faroogh Nasim was present in the court as well as Sindh government's lawyer Farooq H Naik. Dr Sattar requested the court to resume the hearing on the pleas but the court said that it would not be possible until representation of all the parties to the case.
A member of the bench, Justice Dost Muhammad Khan, remarked that the current matter would not have been for adjudication in the courts if all the political parties have had consultative sessions in order to strengthen democracy in the country. Justice Khan further observed that political enemy of the day could be a friend of in future, adding that nation was suffering due to a fight of big fishes. The hearing of case was adjourned till March 30.
Talking to media after proceedings, Dr Farooq Sattar termed the local bodies system a nursery for democracy. While commenting over recent departure of former army chief and president Pervez Musharraf the MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar plainly said if Musharraf was facilitated to leave the country then I must say, "(Mian Biwi Razi tou Kia karey Ga Qazi)". Responding to a question about Mustafa Kamal's party's name, Dr Sattar in a lighter vein said that "a baby has been born", adding, that he would say adhan in the newborn's ear.
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