KARACHI – The Sindh government has prepared a draft of the Sindh Local Government Amendment Bill 2026, proposing several changes to the functioning of elected local councils, the transition period after their tenure and coordination between municipal bodies and the police.

A copy of the proposed legislation has also emerged, outlining a mechanism under which serving mayors and chairpersons would continue as administrators after the expiry of their councils’ terms until new local government elections are held.

Under the draft, the Sindh government would be required to approach the Election Commission of Pakistan 120 days before the expiry of a council’s term to initiate the process for fresh local government elections.

The proposed law also assigns a greater role to deputy mayors and vice chairpersons. They would serve as conveners of their respective councils, with authority to preside over meetings and conduct council business. They could also exercise additional powers delegated to them by mayors or chairpersons.

For metropolitan corporations, including the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), the metropolitan commissioner would continue to serve as the chief executive.

Mediation forums proposed

The draft proposes establishing mediation forums in union councils, union committees, town committees and municipal committees to help resolve local public disputes.

Each forum would consist of three mediators, who would be selected from among respected members of the local community.

The proposed legislation also seeks to establish a formal communication mechanism between local government representatives and the police on public safety and law-and-order matters.

Under the draft, the station house officer (SHO) would coordinate with the relevant union chairman on local security and public order issues. Similarly, the senior superintendent of police (SSP) would be required to engage with the district council chairman or corporation mayor to facilitate effective policing.

However, the proposed coordination mechanism would not extend to district police administration, criminal investigations or prosecution matters.

Local councils to monitor civic issues

Union councils would be tasked with identifying illegal construction and violations of building regulations and reporting them to the Sindh Building Control Authority.

They would also identify solid waste management problems within their jurisdictions and provide relevant information to the concerned authorities.

The draft further requires local councils to prepare detailed maps showing the location and boundaries of infrastructure related to public services.

Training and representation requirements

The proposed amendments also introduce requirements concerning the training of elected representatives and local government officials.

The Local Government Commission would be required to meet at least once every three months. Councils would also have to allocate funds in their annual budgets for training programmes for elected representatives and municipal officials.

Councils would have the option of conducting the training programmes themselves or outsourcing them where appropriate.

The draft additionally requires councils to submit comprehensive reports on issues faced by women and persons with disabilities, including their participation in local government proceedings.

The proposed amendments are aimed at strengthening local governance, improving coordination between municipal institutions and other public bodies, and expanding the role of councils in addressing civic and community-level issues.