Devolution of power: Govt faces heat for failing to provide smooth transition to LG

Councillors threaten protest; to meet govt representatives soon

PESHAWAR: Neighbourhood nazims and councillors from Nothia Jadeed intensified their criticism against the government over “its failure to devolve the power to grass-roots level”. They threatened to protest if their demands are not met.

The LG representatives expressed these views during a press conference held at the Peshawar Press Club on Monday. They said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government failed to establish offices for elected representatives in the area even six months after local government (LG) elections. Nothia Jadeed-1 nazim Alam Zeb, PTI, naib nazim Baz Muhammad, councillor Shazad Gul Muhammad, councillor Aziz Khan (from Awami National Party) and councillor Wahid Shah Bacha (Pakistan Rah-e-Haq) were present on the occasion.

“We will register our protest by holding a demonstration if the provincial government did not transfer the power to the neighbourhood nazim, naib nazim and councillors,” Zeb said. He added a joint meeting of the neighbourhood’s elected representatives will be held to discuss the matter with LG authorities.

The Nothia Jadeed-1 nazim asked elected members to demand development funds for their union councils. He commented, “In order to demand development funds for union councils from the K-P government, nazims and councillors should discuss the matter with the authorities according to the LG act instead of holding demonstrations.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2015.