May 05, 2008	Monday	Rabi-us-Sani 28, 1429

PESHAWAR, May 4: Posting and transfer of various officials working in different grades caused differences between the provincial government and district nazims with the latter complaining that they were not consulted in the process, sources said.

Nazims of the 24 districts of the province are likely to meet in Peshawar on May 8 to work out joint line of action against what they called frequent interference of provincial government in the affairs of the district government.

Peshawar City District Nazim Haji Ghulam Ali told Dawn on Sunday that some of his counterparts in other districts had grievances against the provincial government after postings and transfers of officials there.

He said that the meeting would discuss the issue and would chalk out joint line of action to block interference of provincial government in the affairs of districts. He said that recent statements by the provincial ministers and lawmakers regarding clipping powers of the district and tehsil nazims had also annoyed them.

Postings and transfers had become a bone of contention between the provincial government and district nazims since the inception of the local government system. The matter was challenged time and again in Peshawar High Court and in some of the cases the apex court decided that it was binding upon the provincial government to consult nazims before ordering postings and transfers in their respective districts.

Provincial ministers for Information Mian Iftikhar and Local Government Bashir Ahmed Bilour were not available for comments when contacted by Dawn.

A district nazim from Malakand region said that provincial government had made several postings and transfers without consulting district nazims. He said that under the Local Government Ordinance, 2001 it was binding upon the provincial government to consult district nazim in the posting and transfer of officials of grade 17 and above.

“The provincial government is making frequent postings and transfers without consulting district nazims,” he maintained.

He said that under section 31 and 191 of the NWFP Local Government Ordinance 2001 the provincial government had to frame rules of business for smooth running of the affairs of the district.

He said that under section 25 of the NWFP Local Government Rules it was mandatory on the provincial government to consult district nazim during appointment, posting and transfers of officials in grade 17 and above. The rule has been framed under section 35 (191) of the Local Government Ordinance, 2001.

He said that provincial government had never consulted district nazims in postings and transfers of grade 17 and above officials rather officials below grade 17 were also being transferred on the recommendation of provincial ministers, MNAs and MPAs.