LG reps protest for funds, powers

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government (LG) representatives staged a protest on Thursday at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Chowk against the lack of funds and powers.

Representatives from across the province participated in the protest. They were carrying placards and banners inscribed with their demands.

President of the Local Council Association Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and City Mayor of Mardan, Himayatullah Mayar led the peaceful protest. The protesters gathered at the Jinnah Park and marched towards the Assembly. A heavy contingent of police was deployed at the site.

The provincial president of the Awami National Party(ANP), Mian Iftikhar Hussain expressed solidarity with the LG representatives by participating in the protest and addressing the protesters.

In his speech, he criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), stating that while they frequently marched on Islamabad to highlight their demands, peaceful protests in Peshawar were restricted.

Expressing concern over the worsening lawlessness in KP, he said the province was in turmoil, but the PTI provincial government remained silent. “The chief minister cannot even visit his native town”, he argued.

The ANP leader pointed out that three years had passed to the installation of the LGs but they had not been provided any funds or powers during this time. He demanded an immediate release of funds for the LG representatives.

Other speakers at the event called for restoring the Local Government Act to its original form, releasing the allocated funds under the Provincial Finance Commission Award, providing offices, powers, and essential facilities to elected representatives, and increasing the local government’s share in the award from 20 to 30 per cent.