Non-release of funds: LG reps to stage protest rallies

MANSEHRA: The chairmen of village and neighbourhood councils announced on Sunday that they would stage rallies and boycott government programmes if they were not granted rights enshrined in the LG Act 2013.

“We have started protesting against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and will also boycott programmes and events organised by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf lawmakers,” said Basharat Ali Swati, president of the Local Government Ittehad.

Flanked by chairmen of village and neighbourhood councils, he explained that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had previously committed to release development funds and granting rights to local governments in several meetings held earlier this year.

“However, the chief minister didn’t honour his commitment, citing financial constraints as a barrier to releasing development funds,” Swati said.

He added that the representatives from local governments in Hazara and the rest of the province would hold protests at tehsil headquarters today (Monday) to force the government to accept their demands.

“We will also pass resolutions strongly condemning the denial of rights and funds to LG governments during these protests,” Swati said.

The president of Ittehad also said that chairmen and councillors of village and neighbourhood councils would participate in sit-ins scheduled to take place outside the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.