15 February 2005	Tuesday	05 Muharram 1426

FAISALABAD, Feb 14: People's Party divisional coordinator MPA Raja Riaz Ahmad has demanded dissolution of local bodies and a comprehensive audit of four-year tenure before holding next elections so that corrupt office holders could be taken to task.

He told journalists that majority of the districts, tehsils and towns Nazims were involved in large scale corruption, abuse of power and misuse of funds and they were being patronized again by the Punjab government.

He claimed that none of the government agencies and even the Accountant-General of Pakistan had tried to conduct the audit of local bodies funds because the regime was using the institution for political advantages.

He alleged that the government backed Nazims had converted the local bodies into dens of corruption and huge funds were being spent in the areas of favourites to set a ground for the next local bodies elections.

Raja Riaz claimed that the district government and city tehsil municipal administration had become the most corrupt local councils in the province as funds were ruthlessly misused and misappropriated without any check and accountability.

He criticized the district Nazim for his poor performance. Only 6 per cent of funds were utilized in the rural areas by the district government which was a proof of his failure.

The PPP leader claimed that he had documentary evidence to prove the large scale corruption charges in the TMA (City) and district government. Replying to a question, he said the party would field candidates on all seats and would give tough time to the government.

ELECTIONEERING: Political activities for the local bodies elections are gaining momentum as aspiring candidates are trying their best to get the support of voters as well as various parties.

Majority of candidates are eager to get the support of the ruling party. Lavish parties are being arranged by the candidates to woo the 'influentials' to get their nod and get the nomination from the ruling party.

Every candidate is trying his best to get the party ticket according to his position. However, main tussle is for the office of Nazim of the City, Saddar, Tandlianwala, Samundri, Chak Jhumra and Jaranwala tehsil municipal administrations. However, wealthy and well-connected candidates have also started mass contact campaigns for the post of district Nazim.

For the office of city Nazim, sitting Nazim Mumtaz Ali Cheema is trying his best to get the backing of the government for which he along with his brother minister Mushtaq Cheema using all possible sources.

PML leader Rana Zahid Mahmood is also in the race for the Nazim's office. He has recently met Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi and claimed to have the support of the provincial hierarchy.

PML-N former MPA Khwaja Muhammad Islam is also the candidate for city Nazim. He has good support in the trading community as well as voters of western parts of the city.

The PPP has not yet openly supported any of the candidates for the city Nazim. However, a group with the name of 'Awam Dost' has been formed to field candidates for all seats.

For the office of district Nazim, sitting Nazim Zahid Nazir is being declared favourite due to his deep roots among the people of rural areas as well as support from the government quarters.

PPP-P MPA Raja Riaz Ahmad, who was defeated by Zahid Nazir, is again in the race. He has started contacting Nazims and Naib Nazims of union councils in the district. Naib Nazim Raza Nasarullah Ghuman and PML-N former MNA Rana Zahid Tauseef, the brother of MNA Rana Asif Tauseef are also candidates for the office of district Nazim.

Meanwhile, local religious parties also giving final touches to set up a group to field joint candidates for the union and tehsil councils and the district government.