Dysfunctional system: LG representatives yet to be delegated powers

With the mayoral elections now in the past, the local government system in Karachi is up and running but it seems that power can only be exercised by the Mayor as the other elected representatives are yet to be delegated any control.

The Express Tribune learnt that most elected representatives do not even have access to offices yet; however, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) backed Mayor of Karachi, Murtaza Wahab, has been given all the powers of his office and some more.

In this regard, Faraz Haseeb, who is associated with the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and was elected as Town Chairman for Liaquatabad, told the Express Tribune that he is just an elected representative on paper.

“Even though I have an office, others who were elected do not have office space.

This is because the Sindh government back in June abolished the existing system of DMCs and appointed a transition officer for the distribution of resources,” explained Haseeb.

However, it has been two months now and the Transition Officers are yet to decide a formula for the distribution of resources, as per the Town Chairman for Liaquatabad.

Echoing Haseeb’s views, Kaleem Usmani, Chairman of Martin Quarter Union Council (UC) 5, who also belongs to JI, said that elected local body officials are helpless.

“Currently we do not even have the power to get a street cleaned.

None of the concerned government officials take us seriously,” regretted Usmani.

PPP leader and UC Chairman, Najmi Alam, when asked about the disregard for delegating power to elected representatives, conceded that elected Town and UC Chairmen have not been given any power yet.

“It seems that we are stuck in a limbo which is being called the transition period,” said Alam.

“Nevertheless, we have raised the issue with the party and are doing our best to empower all elected local body officials and it is likely that they will be empowered after the 15th of August,” the PPP leader assured.

While it remains to be seen whether Alam’s assurances hold any weight, the Express Tribune spoke to several Transition Officers about the extended transition period.

One such officer, Juman Das, informed that there was no delay on their end.

“We have already completed the list of distribution of movable and immovable assets and sent it to the Chief Commissioner.” Concurring with Das, another Transition Officer, Hasan Abbas, said that the transition work for the District Municipal Corporation has already been completed and the list of resources sent to the Commissioner.

With the Transition Officers throwing the ball in the Commissioner’s court, the Express Tribune reached out to the Commissioner, Iqbal Memon, and Additional Chief Secretary, Najam Shah, several times to inquire about the delays in delegation of powers but did not hear back from them.