JAVED KHAN
\nPESHAWAR
\nElected local body representatives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are facing a crisis of denied funds and power, rendering them ineffective in serving their communities.
\nDespite being elected to address the needs of their constituents and provide doorstep services, the local government representatives of the province are struggling to fulfill their responsibilities due to lack of resources and authority.
\nHimayatullah Mayar, Chairman Provincial Action Council, a representative council of all mayors and chairmen, told Lead Pakistan that the local government system of tehsil and village and neighbourhood councils came into power after elections, which were conducted in two phases on December 19, 2021, and March 27, 2022.
\nIn a significant move, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led provincial government introduced drastic changes to the local government law on April 12, 2022, substantially curtailing the powers of local bodies.
\nHimayatullah Mayar, Mayor of Mardan City, criticized the previous PTI government led by then Chief Minister Mahmood Khan for amending the Local Government Act, 2013.
\nThe changes deleted section 30 (2) (b), which governed the financial resources of local bodies, effectively stripping them of their financial autonomy, he added.
\nMr Mayar argued that the move had severely impacted the ability of local governments to effectively manage their finances and deliver essential services to their constituents in the province.
\nHaji Zubair Ali, Mayor of Peshawar Metropolitan City, criticized the provincial government for making unnecessary changes to the local government law which severely limited the funds and powers of local government representatives.
\nMr Ali stated that the PTI government abolished Section 30 Sub-Section 2 Clause, depriving local representatives of their rightful funds.
\nHe alleged that local government representatives received no funds in the fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25, despite the provincial government reserving funds for local governments in both financial years.
\nThe incumbent PTI-led provincial government had allocated 27 billion rupees for local governments. Despite this, the situation remains unchanged, indicating a persistent funding shortfall for local governments.
\nThis disparity raises concerns about the adequacy of funds for local governments to effectively deliver services and address community needs, he said.
\nThe non-availability of funding may exacerbate existing challenges and hinder development initiatives at the local level in the provincial capital, Mayor Peshawar said.
\nHaji Zubair Ali pointed out that the current provincial government has allocated Rs 27 billion for local governments in the budget 2024-25, but the funds remain unreleased.
\nSince installation of the local government system in KP, the provincial government has not released the funds allocated to local bodies through Provincial Finance Commission, he said.
\nAccording to the PFC, he maintained, the share of local government is 20 percent of the total provincial Annual Development Programme (ADP).
\nShehla Kamran, chairperson of Pakistan Minority Welfare Organization and councilor from NC82, has voiced her concerns about the challenges faced by her community due to non-availability of funds.
\n\u201cIn local bodies elections held in Peshawar, I was the first woman to be elected from her community through contested elections, I am determined to work towards addressing my community\u2019s long standing issues and problems but having no power and resources all my plans are failing,\u201d she added.
\nKamran highlighted that her community is not typically involved in politics and expressed disappointment that the hopes from local elections seem unfulfilled.
\nWhether it\u2019s access to sanitation, clean drinking water, or funding for local representatives, the minority community, particularly Christians, in Peshawar face numerous challenges, she added.
\n\u201cThe lack of funds for local body representatives elected from the minority community has left them feeling disappointed and neglected, despite their dire need for attention and support,\u201d Shehla Kamran said.
\nIt is pertinent to mention here that a large number of village and neighbourhood council chairpersons on Wednesday protested in front of the KP Assembly against the non-provision of funds to local bodies. The protest was staged to demand the release of funds for local government bodies, which have been facing financial constraints.
\nThe protesters led by Mayor Peshawar Haji Zubair Ali demanded that the government release the funds allocated for local bodies to ensure the smooth functioning of local government institutions.
\nThe village and neighbourhood council chairpersons from across the Peshawar district took part in the demonstration.
\nThey closed Khyber Road for traffic and chanted slogans against the provincial government.
\nThey were carrying placards and banners inscribed with their demands.
\nNoor Islam, an independent researcher on governance and policies, said that generally, local bodies, meant to be autonomous institutions, are essential for nurturing democracy and political socialization, ensuring services reach people\u2019s doorsteps. However, the local government system in Pakistan, particularly in KP, falls short of expectations, he said.
\nIslam maintained that \u201cdespite their importance, local government institutions in KP have been treated unfairly, compromising their autonomy and effectiveness. This has far-reaching consequences for democracy and the people\u2019s trust in local governance.\u201d
\nHe lamented that local body representatives\u2019 protest demonstrations across the province suggest that KP government\u2019s actions have undermined the local government system, leaving it ineffective and inefficient.
\n\u201cIt is crucial to address these issues and strengthen local government institutions to ensure they serve their purpose,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
JAVED KHAN PESHAWAR Elected local body representatives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are facing a crisis of denied funds and power, rendering them ineffective in serving their communities. Despite being elected to address the needs of their constituents and provide doorstep services, the local government representatives of the province are struggling to fulfill their responsibilities due to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":429171,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-429158","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n