PESHAWAR: Village councillors from different districts on Tuesday rejected a new amendment to the local government law and demanded of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to pay them monthly stipends and release development funds.

They made the demand during a protest demonstration held outside the Peshawar Press Club. Members of All Councillor Itehad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, organised the protest, with the participants shouting slogans in favour of their demands.

The protesters opposed the amendment to Local Government Act, 2013, and insisted the change aimed to make the village councillors subordinate to the relevant chairmen.

They alleged the amendment vested the chairmen with all powers. They said the local body elections were meant to devolve powers to the grassroots level and provide development funds at village level, but the new amendment would affect the development process.

They threatened to start a protest drive across the province if the amendment was not withdrawn.

The councillors also sought the powers to table a no-confidence motion against their chairmen if they indulged in corrupt practices.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2022