MANSEHRA: Representatives of local governments from across Hazara Division will take part in Peshawar’s protest sit-in to claim rights, announced one of their leaders on Thursday.

“We have been denied our rights and funds since the installation of local governments across the province two years ago,” president of the Chairmen Local Government Ittehad Malik Mumtaz told members of village and neighbourhood councils in a meeting here.

The participants demanded that the provincial government release funds and monthly honorariums to them without delay.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz MPA Sardar Shahjehan Yusuf on Thursday criticised Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and his cabinet members over “irresponsible” media statements against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government and said on one hand, the provincial government was asking the federal government for funds and outstanding payments, but on the other, it was resorting to diatribe against it.

He told reporters here that amid the financial crisis, the provincial government was managing its affairs with the help of the budgetary allocations of its departments and development agencies.

Mr Yusuf also flayed the government for not calling the provincial assembly’s session for approving its interim budget and seeking funds and due payments from the centre.

He also complained that the women and non-Muslim MPAs elected to reserved seats were denied oaths despite the high court’s orders.

The PML-N lawmaker said his party was set to move a resolution in the provincial assembly to seek rights mentioned in the LG Act, 2013, for local bodies and their representatives.

He said the federal government would support street protests by local body members for their rights.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2024