ISLAMABAD - Since release of Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar from jail, MQM-Pakistan has geared-up its efforts to what is calls restoration of the powers of the mayor with the help of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

“MQM-Pakistan Farooq Sattar will soon hold a meeting with Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah for restoring powers of the mayor,” said MQM-Pakistan senior lawmaker, while talking to The Nation.

The MQM will make an effort to convince the PPP for reinstating the relevant amendment in “Sindh Local Government (Amendment) Bill, 2016”.

The Sindh government had around six month ago through Sindh Local government act had brought changes in the bill.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Nisar Ahmed Khuhro had presented Sindh Local Government (Amended) Bill, 2016, which was later approved with large majority in the assembly amid strong protest.

The MQM for last six months is facing many hardships especially after the controversial remarks of Altaf Hussian.

The party also supported other political parties for passing a resolution in the parliament against it own party’s leader Altaf Hussain.

 “All-out efforts will be made to bring Sindh Local Government (Amendment) Bill to its original shape so that the mayor may have its powers,” he said.

If the Sindh government would not cooperate with the MQM-Pakistan, the senior party member said, the party will knock the door of the Supreme Court (SC).

“Party will move to Supreme Court and by taking the help of 140-A, and will fight its case for reinstating powers of the mayor,” he said.

The article 140 (A) of the constitution about the local government, says “each province shall, by law, establish a local government system and devolve political, administrative and financial responsibility and authority to the elected representatives of the local governments.”

When contacted, MQM-Pakistan senior leader Farooq Sattar said that MQM had suffered a lot in the last few months.

“We are making efforts for the party and its voters,” he said, visibly selecting words to avoid any controversial comments.

Whereas, another MQM MNA, Ali Raza Abidi spoke in favour of giving powers to the mayor.

About the MQM-Pakistan’s resolution against the K-P Chief Minister, Pervaiz Khattak, in the NA Secretariat, Abidi said the party would try to raise the issue in the house tomorrow (Monday).

“I think Speaker Ayaz Sadiq will keep this resolution on “order of the day” next week,” he remarked.

MQM wants to pass resolution against the KPK CM, Pervaiz Khattak, over his alleged controversial remarks.

Khattak, a couple of weeks before, warned government for adopting “rebel like” attitude if the PM Nawaz Sharif tried to stop his party workers.

He had made this statement while talking to party workers in Nowshera when the police pushed back a caravan of the PTI workers led by him.

This caravan was heading towards Islamabad for the party’s planned “lockdown” on November 2.

The resolution submitted in the National Assembly Secretariat demands imposition of Article 6 against KP Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak for his remarks.