HYDERABAD, April 25: A general councillor of Tando Saindad union council, Tando Mohammad Khan district, has complained that step-motherly treatment is being meted out to women councillors of the district by the concerned officer of the district government.

Speaking at a news conference at the press club here on Wednesday, Ms Zulekhan, who is also the president of the women wing of the Tando Mohammad Khan district chapter of the Pakistan Muslim League, said that the women councillors were considered important only for the purpose of votes.

She alleged that the sewing machines meant for distribution did not reach the poor women through women councilors.

The poor people were being ignored in respect of Zakat funds, she added.

She further alleged that hand-pumps purchased through Zakat funds and meant to be distributed among the poor were also being disposed of by district officials.

She demanded that the women councillors should be involved in identification of development schemes and urged the chief minister to meet with the women councillors and resolve their problems.

When asked why other women councillors of the district were silent on the issues, she said that they were afraid of victimization.

She added that if Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim sent an inquiry team to Tando Mohammad Khan, the women councillor would speak out their mind.

Talking about other problems being faced by the people of Tando Mohammad Khan district, she said that narcotics and country-made liquor were being openly sold in the district with impunity.

Similarly, she added, mainpuri and gutka were being openly sold in the district and the menaces were affecting the health and well-being of young generation, particularly.