Sindh government refused to accept federal government’s newly planned local government system. Sindh Minister for Local Government (LG), Saeed Ghani said that one uniform local government system could not be imposed all over the country. “As per the 18th Amendment of the Constitution, every province is at liberty to implement its own local government system after seeking the approval of its respective provincial assembly,” said Saeed Ghani. While talking to a delegation of United City and Local Government -Asia Pacific (UCLG) on Tuesday, minister Saeed Ghani said that the Sindh government was open to the prospect of considering suggestions of UCLG and Local Councils Association (LCA). “In case there are flaws in Sindh’s LG system, we can make amendments to eliminate them,” said Saeed Ghani. The LG minister claimed that Sindh had the best local government system in the country. “There is always room for betterment so we are open to suggestions,” added Ghani. Minister Ghani also stressed on the need to impart training to all employees of local government department for strengthening the LG system. Ghani said that power had been transferred to grassroots-level and the subjects of health, education and taxation had been handed over to six district municipal corporations (DMCs) in Karachi. Minister Saeed Ghani also informed the delegation that the mayor could not intervene in matters of district civic bodies under the present LG system in Sindh. He added that LG system in Karachi had been destroyed on political grounds. “We are ready to make amendments in the system for the betterment of Sindh,” he said. The delegation apprised minister that they wanted to bring a local government system in collaboration with European Union in both Sindh and Balochistan. Published in Daily Times, September 3rd 2018.