HYDERABAD: Criticising an inordinate delay in elections on reserved seats, and of mayor and deputy mayor after completing three phases of the local government elections in Sindh, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s Hyderabad zonal in-charge Navaid Shamsi strongly condemned what he termed irresponsible attitude of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Speaking at a news conference at the local press club on Monday evening, Mr Shamsi said that because of the delay of transferring powers, the local government minister, administrator, officers and others were misusing funds, which was an illegal and unconstitutional act.

MQM MPA Zubair Ahmed Khan and other local party leaders were present.

He said colossal bills were being paid after taking commissions. When the elected representatives took over the charge, they would have to face a severe shortage of funds.

He announced that a protest would be held outside the ECP office soon against such conspiracies.

The MQM’s leader said projects were being shown complete on paper without work having being carried out on them (projects). This way the coming mayor, deputy mayor and councillors could not make development works and would keep paying debts only.

WASA: He said the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) owed Rs980 million to Hesco in terms of power bills to be paid by the Sindh government, but the people of Hyderabad were facing problems because of confrontation of the federal and provincial government.

HESCO: He said Hesco was issuing thousands of rupees of detection bills to poor consumers in Hyderabad.

Even mosques were being issued these detection bills which were sent to hush up corruption.

Shamsi appealed to the prime minister to take notice of the rude attitude adopted by the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) administration. He also demanded of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah to ensure payment of power bills of Wasa.

Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2016