Mayor wants LG powers and funds restored

PESHAWAR: Mayor of Peshawar Zubair Ali on Friday welcomed the landmark decision by the Peshawar High Court (PHC) which declared the amendments to the Local Government Act null and void.

He termed the verdict a victory for local government representatives and a testament to their continued struggle for justice.The mayor said the KP government had, with premeditated intent, acted against the rights of elected local bodies and the people of the province.

“This ruling proves what we have been saying all along: the amendments were politically motivated and in clear violation of public rights. For over three years, the provincial government deprived elected mayors and chairmen of funds and authority, obstructing development and the delivery of essential services to citizens,” the Peshawar mayor stated while reacting to the court verdict, which was delivered a day before. Zubair Ali said the KP government had failed to present a single meaningful development plan for the province, especially for the city of Peshawar.

“However, what they have succeeded in is setting new records in corruption. Their MPAs are bringing scandal after scandal to light, revealing the depth of mismanagement and misuse of public resources,” said the mayor. He appealed to the people and youth in KP, particularly those in Peshawar, to support local representatives and institutions.

“Stand with us in this struggle for your rights. It is only through public unity and the power of the vote that we can hold those accountable who have betrayed the trust of the people,” he said.

The mayor highlighted the resilience and perseverance of local government representatives, stating, “Despite being denied rights, facing baton charges and tear gas, we never bowed. Through our legal struggle, we have now secured the rightful authority of the elected chairmen via the judiciary.”

Calling for the immediate implementation of the court’s verdict, he demanded that powers and funds be restored to local bodies without delay so that transparent and effective service delivery can be resumed for the betterment of both the city and the province.“This injustice has persisted for over three years. Now is the time for accountability. Let the court’s decision be honored in letter and spirit,” the mayor concluded.