MURREE: The Punjab government’s plan to form a union council per every 22,000 people has been criticised by residents of Kotli Sattiyan and Murree, who have argued that a population of this size would be spread over a much vaster area compared to cities or plains.

PTI MPA retired Maj Latasab Satti told Dawn that Kotli Sattiyan, despite its proximity to the capital, is one of the most backwards parts of the country.

Mr Satti met with Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to discuss locals’ grievances in this regard, he said.

He said the area was deprived of basic necessities under the last government, adding that he had briefed Mr Buzdar on the terrain and deprivation facing the over 200,000 people living in the area.

He said he told the chief minister that the PTI government was planning to develop underdeveloped areas through the proposed local government system, but the system would be of little use if it is not able to reduce the problems facing the residents of Kotli Sattiyan and Murree.

He added that he asked Mr Buzdar to reconsider the government’s plan in the interest of the people.

The last local government elections were boycotted by all the political parties in the Kotli Sattiyan tehsil. Since elections were not held in any of the Kotli Sattiyan union councils, the elections for the Rawalpindi district council have not been held until today because of the incomplete electoral college.

In addition, the 10 union councils have been reduced to six after delimitation before the last local government elections.

PPP Rawalpindi district Vice President Tabbasum Satti, Ehsan Satti, Asad Satti and Naveed Satti and other political parties’ representatives told Dawn that if the Kotli Sattian union councils are not made according to the needs and interests of the people, there would be protests as well as a boycott of the election by all the political parties.

MNA Satti said the matter would be resolved in the interest of the people, and would not lead to a protest.

NA-57, the constituency comprising Murree, Kotli Sattiyan, Kahuta and Kalar Syedan, is one of the largest in the country. Around 592,000 voters are registered in NA-57, compared to some 600,000 voters registered in Islamabad’s three constituencies.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2018