PESHAWAR
Local government representatives have announced a protest sit-in outside the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly from February 13, after the expiry of a deadline given to the provincial government for power and funds. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the Local Councils Association KP, chaired by Peshawar Mayor Haji Zubair Ali and association president Himayatullah Mayar, who is also the mayor of Mardan.
The meeting was attended by office-bearers and representatives from across the province, who discussed issues facing local governments.
In a joint statement issued after the meeting, Mr Mayar and Mr Zubair alleged that local governments in the province had been rendered dysfunctional under a “well-thought-out plan”.
They said local bodies were responsible for delivering social and municipal services at the grassroots level, but had been deprived of powers and development funds.
The leaders claimed that local government representatives had staged several peaceful protests for the restoration of their mandated power and functioning, during which, they alleged, the government resorted to tear gas shelling and baton charge, and arrested protesters.
They said negotiations had been held on multiple occasions with former Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, and assurances were given regarding resolution of the issues. Minutes of those meetings had also been issued, they added.
Referring to court rulings, the association leaders said the Supreme Court had decided in favour of local government representatives on matters relating to powers and development funds, and had declared certain amendments to the Local Government Act 2019 null and void. However, they alleged, the provincial government led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had failed to implement the court’s decisions and its own commitments.
They said that after repeated “broken promises” and non-implementation of court orders, local government representatives were left with no option but to stage a peaceful sit-in outside the KP Assembly on Feb 13, 2026.
The association appealed to leaders and workers of political parties, members of the legal fraternity, the business community, civil society and residents of Peshawar to participate in the protest. Local government representatives from across the province have been directed to ensure their presence.
An administrative committee for the sit-in has also been constituted under the leadership of Tehsil Chairman Haroon Sifat, with Arbab Wisal, Noor Ghulam, Asif Javed, Farhad Marwat, Malik Tariq Awan and Intizar Khalil as members.
