Withholding uplift funds to LGs: PHC puts KP govt on notice

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Monday issued notices to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and relevant departments over the alleged non-provision of development funds to elected local government representatives.

The court directed them to submit their responses by June 26.A two-member bench comprising Justice Wiqar Ahmad and Justice Farah Jamshed heard the petition, which was filed by Himmatullah Mayar.

Babar Khan Yousafzai appeared on behalf of the petitioner.During the proceedings, the petitioner’s counsel informed the court that local government elections were held in February 2022 across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, after which elected representatives took oath and began performing their duties.

However, he argued that the provincial government began attempts to curtail their authority and control their functions without justification.In 2022, the provincial government amended the Local Government Act, transferring powers from the elected representatives to the district administration and other departments.

The counsel pointed out that although the Peshawar High Court had earlier struck down these amendments, the provincial government did not restore the powers or release development funds to the local bodies.

He argued that the amendments, particularly to Section 23-A of the Act, were politically motivated. In the first phase of the local government elections, opposition parties had secured a majority, prompting the government to limit their influence by restricting their powers and financial autonomy, he added.As a result, elected officials, including tehsil mayors and village council members, were unable to execute any development work due to a lack of access to funds.The counsel maintained that for the past three years, these representatives faced public pressure while remaining in a state of uncertainty due to their inability to serve their voters.