WANA: Local government representatives said on Sunday that they would initiate a movement on December 19 to demand powers and funds.
A consultative meeting of local government representatives of KP, chaired by Mardan Mayor Himayatullah Mayar, declared that December 19 would also be commemorated as a black day if powers and funds were not provided, and a peaceful protest would ensue.
Addressing the meeting, Himayatullah Mayar said that despite the passage of two years since the recent local government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the elected representatives were still deprived of basic powers and funds.
Furthermore, he said there was growing frustration among local government representatives and the public, which might impact the upcoming general elections.
The non-provision of powers and funds to local government representatives is tantamount to the abuse of over 40 million residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, he added.
People turn to the offices of local government representatives to address basic problems, provide municipal services, and repair streets. However, both local government representatives and the public are facing disappointment due to the non-provision of funds.
In a statement following the lengthy meeting, Chairman and Member of the Capital Metropolitan City Government Peshawar, Intizar Ali Khalil, stated that the existing local government system had been paralysed after the June 2022 amendments.
“Currently, most Village and Neighborhood Councils do not have funds to pay rent for their offices. Police Station Liaison Committees are inactive, and PTC School Committees and local municipal representatives are being completely ignored,” he added.
Next week, a written request will be made to meet the chairman of the Election Commission of Pakistan while they also announced to meet the caretaker chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
