SIALKOT: A large number of people in Daska, led by all 19 opposition councillors, took to the streets on Friday against alleged negligence of the Daska Municipal Committee due to which most of the urban areas belonging to the councillors have become filth depots.

The procession began from Daska Kalan led by opposition councillors Muhammad Afzal Mansha and Tauheed Iqbal Butt. The protesters were carrying banners and placards. The march resulted in traffic blockade for about two hours. They staged sit-ins at Fawara Chowk and in front of the offices of assistant commissioner. They also shouted slogans against the Municipal Committee officials concerned and condemned them for allegedly targeting opposition councillors and their areas.

Addressing the protesters, Mansha and Butt criticised the Municipal Committee’s treasury bench for allegedly stopping development funds for the councillors and not allowing sweepers to clean their wards where heaps of garbage could be seen everywhere. The sewerage system was also choked in these areas due to which streets were inundated with sewage.

There were 40 wards in Daska Municipal Committee out of which 21 belonged to treasury members and 19 to opposition. They added that foul smell from the garbage heaps and sewage had made life difficult for residents. They expressed concern over poor performance of the Municipal Committee and passed several condemnation resolutions against it.

They urged Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Gujranwala Division Commissioner retired Capt Muhammad Asif and Sialkot Deputy Commissioner Dr Farrukh Naveed to take note of this situation and direct the officials concerned to stop alleged targeting of opposition councillors’ wards. They also demanded early sweeping and removal of trash heaps from Daska city.

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2017