Will meet Imran, K-P CM, LG minister in first phase to try resolve issues mutually. STOCK IMAGE
MARDAN: Nazims from various districts have decided to launch a joint struggle for their due rights and powers.
As mentioned in a press release, the decision was announced in a meeting held on Tuesday with Mardan nazim Himayatullah Mayar in the chair at Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa House. Chitral nazim Haji Maghfirat Shah, Malakand nazim Syed Ahmad Ali Shah, Kohat nazim Maulana Obaidullah, and Sher Bahadur nazim and Mardan naib nazim Asad Ali Shah attended the meeting. All participants in attendance were associated with political parties.
This is the second initiative, on behalf of district nazims, to obtain rights and powers for local government bodies in accordance with the Constitution. Earlier, councillors from various parties established a body with Jamaat-e-Islami’s Israrullah Khan as its chairperson.
At Tuesday’s meeting, participants discussed shortfalls and flaws in the Local Government Act 2013 in depth and displayed reservations on certain clauses. According to the press release, participants observed flaws and anomalies in the legislation are fuelling problems for the public on a daily basis.
District nazims collectively determined they would restore LG institutions, rights and powers according to the 1973 Constitution and K-P LG Act 2013.
Two-step process
In the first phase, nazims decided to hold meetings with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairperson Imran Khan, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and Minister for LG Inayatullah Khan to sort out issues through mutual understanding.
Participants also decided to establish contacts with their counterparts from the remaining districts. The next meeting will be held in Peshawar. While speaking to The Express Tribune, Maghfirat said, “We support Imran in giving maximum power and authority to LG institutions.
But there are still some problems in the system.” Maghfirat, elected to the office of district nazim for a second time said, “Goals of devolution cannot be achieved unless we ensure due power and authority is transferred to the local government.” He added district nazims have taken it upon themselves to help officials implement Imran’s agenda in transferring power to grass-roots level.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 25th, 2015.
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