‘The mayor will be the administrator after the term ends’, Sindh Assembly passes Local Government Amendment Bill 2026

The Sindh Local Government Amendment Bill 2026 was passed amidst strong opposition protest in the Sindh Assembly. The bill stipulates that upon the expiration of a council's term, the current mayor will assume the powers of an administrator. Sindh Interior Minister Zia Lanjhar presented the bill in the house, leading to an uproar from opposition members who protested, gathered in front of the Speaker's dais, and tore copies of the bill. Despite the disruption, a special committee's report on the amendment bill was presented and subsequently approved by the assembly. According to the bill's text, the outgoing representatives will serve as administrators until the newly elected mayor assumes office. This controversial legislation has significant implications for local governance in Sindh, extending the authority of current mayors beyond their elected term, which sparked the intense opposition.