Shaukat assures timely LG elections

Wadood Jan

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information Shaukat Yousafzai said on Monday that no extension would be given to local governments and would be dissolved on August, 28.

Speaking during KP Assembly session, the Information Minister Shaukat Yousafzai said that till the end of this year local bodies elections would be held in all parts of the province including tribal districts.

The Assembly Session was chaired by Speaker Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani.

Earlier, the Opposition Leader Akram Khan Durrani said that discussions were being made on the future of local governments and assumed that current local bodies setup would be extended for next one year.

“I have heard that the Minister for Local Government was frequently visiting Islamabad and was seeking consideration of Prime Minister Imran Khan on legislative bill,” he said and added that despite delegation of power to local representatives, the Deputy Commissioner was still enjoying unbridled powers.

Parliamentary Leader of Awami National Party Sardar Hussain Babak said that elections in 2015 for local bodies were not held by PTI government but on the directives of Supreme Court of Pakistan.

“Local governments were to be imparted 30 percent funds as per law but only 15 percent have been given,” he said and added that current local bodies system was imperfect as both political and non-political trends could be observe in vary parts of the districts.

MPA Inayatullah Khan also spoke on the floor of the House and said that local bodies system was faulty but by bringing amendments positive changes could be brought in the system.

Answering the questions and objections of the opposition, the Information Minister Shaukat Yousafzai said that government has no plans for the continuation of recent local governments but within two or three months at the end of tenure of current local governments fresh elections would be held.

“District council was not included in the proposed amendments,” he maintained and added that there would be seven councilors including minority in each village council.

He asserted that the system could be faulty but could be fixed.

“If the funds were being utilized so funds for next three months would be issued,” he stated adding that new local government act was in the stage of completion and would soon be presented in cabinet.

Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Information Technology Kamram Bangash said that those who quip them for change should remember that it was not the rule of ‘easy load’ in the province.

“The local governments act was not a holy scripture which could not be changed but PTI previously brought changes when needed,” he said and added that no council would be given any funds until they utilize 60 percent of available funds.