22 November 2004	Monday	09 Shawwal 1425

KARACHI, Nov 21: Taking serious notice of a report appearing in a section of press on Saturday, the Provincial Local Government Commission (PLGC) has contested the remarks attributed to City Nazim Niamatullah Khan in the report.

Commenting on the nazim's remarks on the notice served to him and the commission's authority, it said on Sunday that the PLGC had been established as a statutory body according to the requirements of section-131 of the SLGO 2001.

"It has equal representation from the treasury and opposition benches. Besides, it has two technocrats as its members. Any action/decision is taken by the commission on merit of the case. The commission submits its report to the chief executive of the province. As such, it has an independent status."

The PLGC rejected the city nazim's allegation, that the commission's decisions were politically motivated, as 'baseless and unfounded'. Referring to section 132 of the SLGO, it mentioned that PLGC was competent enough to take notice of any matter on its own or referred to it by the chief executive of the province, and resolve a dispute between a government department and a district government.

"Furthermore, it has the powers and competency as provided under section-25 of the SLGO to provide an opportunity to any city/district nazim to be heard in person before making any recommendation to the chief executive of the province for quashment of any orders passed by a city/district nazim."

Referring to the particular case in question, the PLGC said that it had initiated the proceeding by exercising its powers under section-25 of the SLGO and provided an opportunity to the city nazim to appear in person. The nazim did not avail the opportunity and preferred to abstain, it added.

"The nazim's presumption is not true if he considers himself above the law. The commission is well aware of its functions and its limitation. It does not need any dictation or guidance from public representatives. - PPI