Pakistan

Devolution awaited: Government yet to empower LB representatives

The LG elections were held last year, for the first time in the country under a democratic government

APP January 11, 2016

The LG elections were held last year, for the first time in the country under a democratic government DESIGN: EXPRESS

ISLAMABAD:

The newly-elected local bodies’ (LB) representatives have urged both the federal and provincial governments for empowering them as per the Constitution and the provincial laws for smooth service delivery to the masses at grass roots.

The LG elections were held last year, for the first time in the country under a democratic government. The basic purpose of the LG is devolving political, administrative and financial powers to the elected representatives at local level.

However, the representatives were anxiously waiting for setting up offices at the union council, village, tehsil and district level for serving masses.

Village Council Nazim Sawal Dher-1, district Mardan, Jamsheed Khan Khattak said: "The federal government should issue directives to the provincial government for implementation of the LB Act 2013 in K-P for smooth public service delivery."

The whole purpose of LB election will become null and void if the elected representatives remain powerless, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2016.