August 13, 2008	Wednesday	Sha’aban 10, 1429

KARACHI, Aug 12: Barely five months have passed since the resignation of Malik Fayyaz as the nazim of Lyari Town, who was allegedly forced to resign, and now Naib Nazim Abdullah Rahim Baloch is facing a similar situation.

A no-trust motion signed by nine members of the 15-member town council was submitted against the naib nazim, who is also a son of the late Abdul Rahim Baloch, a founder member of the Pakistan People’s Party. Presiding officer Yaseen Baloch has called a meeting of the council on Aug 15 to decide on the motion.

The naib nazim was charged with several irregularities. His behaviour with council members is also questioned in the charge-sheet.

However, when contacted the naib nazim denied the charges levelled against him. He said he had always been critical of the slow pace of development works in the town. In this regard, he pointed to the deteriorating condition of the road network in the town, saying that the town administration had failed to improve the situation.

He said his father had rendered great sacrifices for the PPP and he would continue to uphold his legacy and to pursue the policies of the late founder chairman of the party, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

On March 3, Mr Fayyaz resigned his post due to charges of violating party discipline and by supporting anti-PPP candidates in the Feb 18 general election. He has, however, denied these allegations.

According to the Sindh Local Government Ordinance-2001 (SLGO-2001), elections for a vacant post have to be held within three months. However more than five months have passed since Fayyaz quit, but nothing has followed his resignation.

The acting nazim of the town, Mehmood Hashim, now holds two portfolios. Apart from serving as the acting nazim of Lyari Town, he is the nazim of UC 4, Khadda.