K-P readies response to local govt protest

Interim Chief Minister Justice (retd) Shah assures offices for village councils in tribal districts a priority

PESHAWAR:

In an earnest effort to tackle persistent challenges faced by local bodies in the province, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Caretaker Chief Minister, Justice (Retired) Syed Arshad Hussain Shah, has issued a directive for the formulation of comprehensive and practical proposals within a week.

This directive underscores the caretaker provincial government’s commitment to taking all necessary steps within its mandate to prioritize and resolve the intricate issues confronting local bodies.

The directive was issued during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shah on Friday, where key figures including caretaker cabinet members Ahmed Rasool Bangash, Engineer Aamir Nadeem Durrani, Dr Syed Sarfaraz Ali Shah, Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, and administrative secretaries from pertinent departments were present.

The meeting aimed to delve into the multifaceted issues faced by local bodies across the province.

Chief Minister Shah, in his address, highlighted the urgency of addressing the matter concerning the establishment of offices for village and neighborhood councils in the newly merged districts. He pledged to personally engage with local government representatives in the following week, demonstrating a hands-on approach to understanding and addressing their concerns.

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Additionally, Chief Minister Shah directed the concerned quarters to expedite the necessary groundwork to resolve these issues promptly.

Background

The backdrop to these directives is a growing discontent among local government representatives in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, as they announced plans for a sit-in outside the Chief Minister Secretariat scheduled for December 19. The focal point of their protest revolves around the non-allocation of funds to village and neighborhood councils.

Expressing their grievances in a press conference held at the Peshawar Press Club, local government representatives lamented the two-year-long policy of the provincial government, which has not only withheld funds but also curtailed the powers of local governments, preventing them from undertaking essential development activities. This situation has led to a palpable frustration among the masses, who are questioning the rationale behind electing local government representatives.

During the press conference, Himayatullah Mayar, the President of Tehsil Chairmen Association and Mayor of Mardan, along with other key figures including Tehsil Chairman Dir Upper, Lakki Marwat, Chairman Village Council Tarakha, Taimur Kamal, and Chairman Akbar Pura, Malik Qasim, articulated the concerns of local government representatives.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 16^th, 2023.