Councillors body says LG govt future in doubt

PESHAWAR: The Executive Council of the Local Council Association (LCA) on Thursday alleged that the government was not sincere in the devolution of power as it was adamant about the proposed abolition of the district tier in the local government.

LCA spokesperson Ali Haider told The News that the LCA had a scheduled meeting with the Minister for Local Government Shahram Khan Tarakai, Secretary Local Government Zahir Shah and others.

The minister and officials apologised to the LCA for not being able to attend the meeting as they have been called to the Prime Minister’s House for an urgent meeting, he said.

He lamented the government response was not encouraging as this was not the first meeting the government officials had cancelled.

The LCA spokesperson said the government was not willing to apprise them of its intention about the future of the local governments.

“The government has kept the proposed amendments secret that has created doubts among the councillors across the province about the future of local government,” he added.

Ali Haider said the government intended to change the act without taking stakeholders into confidence, saying the government actions shrouded in mystery had created confusion.

He added that the minister’s and official sudden change of mind had reinforced their apprehensions about the government’s intentions.

The LCA spokesperson said the government should engage them in dialogue if it had planned some positive changes. “We will support the government if it convinced us of its proposed amendments,” he said, adding that nobody avoids consultation over positive changes.

Ali Haider said the executive council meeting had decided to resist the proposed abolition of the district tier and asked the government to refrain from a solo flight.

He said the LCA had already organised conventions at the divisional level and would hold a grand convention in Peshawar as they had received a positive response from the public.

“The future strategy will be decided at the Peshawar convention,” he said, adding the options of street protests and taking the issue to courts will be discussed at the Peshawar convention.

He said the LCA would write to the prime minister to seek time for a meeting as the LCA wanted to give input into the proposed amendments to the local government act.