SWABI: The local leaders of various political parties have demanded of the government to hold local bodies’ elections as soon as possible.

Addressing the ‘Rabita Programme’ of Gandhara Union of Journalists (GUJ) here the other day, they said that the rulers should hold local government elections without further delay if they really wanted to grant powers to local representatives and reduce burden on the provincial government.

Ameer Rehman, former MPA of Awami National Party, said on the occasion that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government had pledged during the May 2013 elections that the local bodies’ elections would be held soon after its victory but despite the passing of over one year it didn’t hold the polls due to unknown reasons.

Saeed Zada, district emir of Jamaat-i-Islami, said that their party was working from the very begging that the elections should be arranged without any delay in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“We are coalition partner of PTI in the province but our leaders have declared categorically that delaying tactics should not be adopted.

If the local government elections are held, it would certainly reduce burden on the provincial government,” he said.

Mohammad Jamil, a leader of Qaumi Watan Party, said that all political parties advocated for local bodies’ elections but they failed to materialise their pledges when they came into power.

Maulana Fazl Ali, former provincial education minister, alleged that if there was no pressure on the PTI government from the different circles, it would not hold the local bodies’ elections. “The politics of saying one thing and doing other should be given up,” he said.

SECTION 144: The district administration has decided to impose Section 144 from October 19 till October 30 and ban on motorcycle riding from Sunday to Friday owing to start of anti-polio campaign in the district.

The campaign will continue till Wednesday. The authorities said that violators of Section 144 would be punished according to the law.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2014