SWABI, April 5: The functioning of the district government has been badly hit by the absence of the district nazim and naib nazim who were unseated by the Supreme Court on March 19 for submitting fake matric certificate , sources in the district government told Dawn on Monday.

The absence of Nazim Sher Zaman and Naib Nazim Mohammed Jamil has particularly affected contractors who have been facing difficulties in getting their bills passed. The sources said that in a situation like this, a new nazim and naib nazim are to be elected from among the members of the district council to run the affairs of the government for up to three months.

Later, elections would have to be held for these posts for the remaining period. However, both the opposition and the treasury benches are not in a position to field candidates as the apex court has not issued a notification about the dismissal of the nazim and naib nazim.

Before the issuance of a court notification it was not possible to call the district council session for the nomination of any member to run the district council affairs, the sources said. "We have to wait till the issuing of notification by the Supreme Court. Till that time no improvement in the situation is possible," said an opposition member.

The district council officials were also finding it difficult to help the people in the absence of top hierarchy, the sources said and added that at present the employees came only to sign attendance register.