The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled the Sindh government is bound to establish empowered local bodies as only the latter have the authority to create a master plan and ensure its implementation.

Outgoing CJP Justice Gulzar Ahmed issued the verdict in a 58-page detailed judgement on transfer of powers to local government authorities in Sindh's case.

Any new project that comes under the authority of the local bodies can not be initiated by the provincial government, read the judgement, with the directives to the Sindh government to ensure financial, administrative and political authorities to the local government officials.

The apex court has declared Sections 74 and 75 of the Sindh Local Government Act, 2013 and section 18 of the Sindh Buildings Control Ordinance, 1979 to be completely without jurisdiction, illegal, unconstitutional, void ab initio and of no legal effect while striking down the same.

As per the detailed judgement, the Sindh government was directed to make necessary amendments in Sindh Building Control Authority Act, KDA laws, Malir Development Authority, Hyderabad Development Authority, Lyari Development Authority, Sehwan Development Authority and Larkana Development Authority according to the Constitution so no conflict of authorities would remain between provincial and local governments.

In its detailed verdict, the SC also noted the Sindh government was bound to maintain "coordination" and "good working relations" with the local bodies.