ISLAMABAD, Oct 9: Various lawmakers of the treasury and opposition on Thursday demanded curtailment of the extra-ordinary powers given to district Nazims in the local government system, a source in the National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) told Dawn.

The demand was made at a briefing given by National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) Chairman Daniyal Aziz on the “Local Government and Implementation of Devolution Plan” here at the Parliament House, the source said.

They said the extra-ordinary powers given to the district Nazims were hampering the functioning of district governments and implementation of devolution projects in various districts and gave suggestions to make the devolution plan and district government system more effective.

The MNAs expressed satisfaction over the system, but pointed out some weaknesses in its implementation.

They emphasised the need for evolving a check and balance system for the smooth functioning of local governments in all the districts of the country.

Lawmaker Saleem Jan Mazari suggested that in future, direct elections of district and tehsil Nazims should be held.

Speaking on the occasion, MNA Hakim Qari Gul Rehman appreciated the government for eradicating corruption at the higher level and demanded measures to eliminate the menace at the lower level as well.

Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) leader and MNA Hafiz Hussain Ahmed said the local governments should be controlled by the provincial governments and not by the federal government.

He was of the view that recommendations of the MNAs should be considered while carrying out development schemes in the districts.

The NRB chairman on the occasion said efforts were being extended to make the devolution plan more effective and remove difficulties in its implementation.

“I agree that it is still at an early stage; there are some confusions and ambiguities in the system which are being removed gradually.”