LG reps threaten to march on Banigala for powers, funds

PESHAWAR: Local Government (LG) representatives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have announced to launch a protest campaign against the provincial government for not releasing funds and devolving powers to the grassroots level.

District nazims will hold a meeting at the office of district nazim of Peshawar here today (Tuesday) to devise a strategy for launching a movement against non-release and cut on LGs’ funds, said district nazim of Shangla, Niaz Ahmad while addressing a press conference here on Monday.

He said All District Nazims Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Association would launch ‘Baldiat Bachao Tehreek’ to force the provincial government to release funds and return their powers to them under the law.

Niaz Ahmad, general secretary of the newly formed association, said they (all councillors) would go to Banigala in a procession to hold rally outside the residence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on June 3.With limited funds and severed powers, he said, the provincial government had left them with no option but to take to the streets.

He criticized Imran Khan, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, and LG Minister Inayatullah Khan for offering lip service as they claimed devolution of power to the grassroots level as well as 33 percent funds to elected local government institutions but in reality neither funds were being released nor the powers.

Niaz Ahmad said the provincial government had promised the release of Rs.43 billion to the district governments under Provincial Finance Commission (PFC), but Rs.13 billion were allocated to Members Provincial Assembly (MPAs) whose job is legislation, not supervising streets pavement and other small schemes, he lamented.

He said the provincial government had slashed 50 percent funds meant for district and tehsil governments and made 70 percent cut on village councils funds in violation of the relevant rules.

Niaz Ahmad said the PTI leadership had repeatedly said in the past that members of provincial and national assemblies would focus on legislation and they would not have anything with developmental funds but the release of funds negated the claims of Imran Khan.

Niaz Ahmad said government was releasing equal funds to urban and rural areas without keeping in view the requirements of different districts which is a sheer injustice.

He accused the provincial government of using Provincial Financial Commission for own priorities, saying that two percent share had been allocated to chief minister, and one percent each to finance minister and local government minister for executing schemes in own districts of Nowshera, Lower and Upper Dir districts, respectively.

Niaz Ahmad also said there was visible difference in Local Government Act and rules of business because district nazims had been deprived of the powers to write ACRs. He said in the past deputy commissioners (DCOs) used to report to district nazims but now they also enjoyed similar powers.

He said Imran Khan was trying to take credit for holding local government elections but, in fact, the elections were held following an order of the Supreme Court.

Our correspondent in Mansehra adds: District and tehsil councillors here on Monday slammed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government in the province for slashing their funds as well as powers.

Speaking at the workers convention, the representatives announced to mark first year of the LG system as a Black Day by taking out rallies in the district.

They warned of besieging the provincial assembly and Chief Minister’s House if their rights were not restored.

Tehsil Nazim, Mansehra, Khurram Khan, said the provincial government had stripped them of powers by making successive amendments to the LG Act 2013.

Our correspondent in Swabi adds: The local government representatives staged a protest on Monday against the PTI government decision to reduce funds for them.

The call for the protest was given by All Councillors Association led by its president Taj Nawab. The protesters first gathered in Swabi Khas Union Council. They marched to the General Bus Stand, passing through the Swabi-Jehangira Road and finally reached the Karnal Sher Khan Chowk.