TIMERGARA: The political and social activists belonging to Lower Dir on Thursday agreed to provide an opportunity to women of the district to exercise their right to vote in the May 30 local government elections.

In this regard, the Development and Empowerment Women Association (Dewa), an NGO, arranged a roundtable conference at the Timergara Press Club to discuss participation of the vulnerable communities in LG polls and empower the neglected part of society.

Workers and local leaders of political parties, social activists, lawyers, teachers, contestants and minority members attended the meeting. The Jamaat-i-Islami was represented by its district information secretary Sher Bahadar, PPP by Mushtaq Ali, JUI-F by Mufti Khalid Mehmood, PML-N by Sardar Khan, PTI by Malik Rahatullah and minorities by Sudish Kumar.

They termed the local government system a first step towards development and prosperity and appreciated the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led government in the province for holding the LG elections.

They said that local representatives of people could better resolve problems being faced by the communities. The participants said that the government should empower these representatives in a real sense. They asked the Election Commission of Pakistan to take practical steps for ensuring maximum participation of women in these elections.

The representatives of the political parties hoped that they would ensure women’s participation in the election and agreed not to make any accord barring women from taking part in the election and casting vote.

Meanwhile, JI’s newly elected MPA from PK-95 Izazul Mulk asked the youth to take part in healthy activities like games. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Lower Dir volleyball tournament at the Rest House Ground here on Thursday, the local JI chief said that games were vital for fitness and healthy body.

He said that the area had a great potential in sports, but the youth needed proper grounds and other facilities to show their talent. He promised to ensure provision of such facilities to the youth of the area.

QWP RIFT: The Qaumi Watan Party, Adenzai, president Sultan Sher on Thursday issued show cause notices to six of its workers for violation of the party discipline. In a statement, he said that six of the party activists had filed nominations for different seats of LG elections without the party leadership’s permission. He said that in this regard notices had been issued to Nabi Bakhsh, Abdul Wadood, Badshah Hussain, Shamsul Qamar, Ibrahim Khan and Sajjad Bacha for violation of the party discipline and contesting the election as independents. They have been asked to explain their position within seven days otherwise their basic membership would be terminated.

Meanwhile, Adenzai circle DSP Hidayatullah told a function at Chakdara police station that the police officials should remain impartial during the local elections. He said that it was the responsibility of police to maintain peace during the elections in the area and avoid siding with any candidate. The function was arranged in connection with the promotion of ASI Mohammad Aslam to the rank of sub-inspector.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2015

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