Drought emergency ‘to delay LG elections’

Govt to take ECP, opposition on board on LG reforms

QUETTA: The Balochistan government has decided to take on board the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the opposition parties on the reforms in the Local Government Act (LGA) and the delimitations process for next local bodies election in the province.

In a recent meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Jam Kamal, the Local Governments Secretary Qambar Dashti gave a briefing on the proposed reforms in the LGA. The meeting also discussed the delimitation procedure to be employed by the ECP.

Though the ECP has commenced delimitation, Dashti told the participants the provincial government had declared drought emergency in 18 districts, therefore, “we cannot hold timely local bodies elections”.



Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Kamal said the provincial government wanted to resolve people’s problems at their doorstep by strengthening the local government system. “The government would take on board the opposition parties on new reforms and their reservations will be addressed on a priority basis,” he added.

The participants, including provincial ministers Tariq Magsi, Saleh Bhotani, Abdul Khaliq Hazara, Nawabzada Gohram Bugti and others, deliberated on delaying the local government election. It was agreed that the election would be held in 180 days of the delimitation rather than 120 days.

On the occasion, the participants stressed the need for strengthening the local governments. They also reviewed the procedure for establishing new union counsels.

The chief minister also met a delegation of the opposition members separately, and discussed the provincial issues, including the allocation under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and the next local government elections.



Kamal told the delegation, led by Opposition Leader Malik Sikandar Khan Advocate, that the provincial government would not ignore any part of the province in the development process. The opposition members assured the chief minister of their cooperation in development of the province.

“We all have to play our roles for a prosperous and developed Balochistan,” the chief minister said. “The provincial government believes in equal distribution of development projects among the districts,” Kamal added. “Not a single inch of Balochistan will be left out of the development process.”

About the chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Kamal said the provincial government was willing to take on board all the opposition members on this issue. He assured that the PAC members would be announced with consensus.

“Opposition is part of provincial government and without their support we can’t complete our development projects. All members of provincial assembly have been elected through votes and the government will ensure development projects for their constituencies.” Kamal added.