Delimitation objections: Pindi commissioner to decide fate by Oct 28

RAWALPINDI:

Commissioner Rawalpindi will decide objections filed over delimitation of 89 union councils of the city till October 28.

Commissioner Khalid Masood Khan is to rule over the objections after which elections will be held in light of the Supreme Court’s directions and announcement of schedule by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The objections have been filed from union councils of Potohar and Rawal Towns.

Local politicians hailed the Supreme Court’s decision and demanded the ECP to hold local body elections immediately. If held, it will be the first-ever local body elections to be held under a democratic government in Pakistan.

“The ECP should not waste time and announce the date of the elections or else we will launch a protest,” said former nazim of Rawal Town Rana Sohail Pasha.  He said if the court order was not implemented they will stage a sit-in to show solidarity with the court.

Muhammad Alam, a former councillor, feared that politicians at the provincial and national assemblies may create hurdles to delay the elections as they do not want to share power with councillors and nazims. 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2013.