HYDERABAD, March 18: The district Nazim and council members here on Thursday started wearing black arm-bands to launch their protest against non-release of development funds.

Talking to district council members at the council hall and later to journalists, District Nazim Dr Makhdoom Rafiquzzaman said they would continue their protest till the funds for development schemes were released.

He said he had stuck to his stand to tender resignation along with council members if their grievances were not redressed. The Nazim said he would wait till Monday for a reply from Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, who had to talk to Chief Minister Ali Mohammad Mahar on the issue, and thereafter decide a future course of action.

He said he had not received any assurance from the governor during his meeting with him on Wednesday. Mr Rafiquzzaman said President Gen Pervez Musharraf had promised to give a package which was announced by the prime minister. He said he had demanded the package should now be considered as the president's federal package.

He maintained the president had said until the package money was released, the Sindh government would release funds for repair of roads and sewerage but it had not been done to date.

He said he believed the prime minister had misunderstood the issue and added if the matter was not solved he would hoist a black flag atop his office building.

The Nazim, who wore a black arm band when offered by Rauf Jafri, asked the members to meet government officials while wearing black arm bands. He also asked the members to refrain from raising party-based slogans as the district council was non- political.

He demanded the governor's grant of Rs500 million should be immediately released so that uplift works could be started in Hyderabad. The chief secretary had promised to appoint the DCO as the project director of this package, he informed the gathering.

Mr Rafiquzzaman said only funds of the Khushhal Pakistan Programme had been released whereas out of Rs28 million of the sugar cess programme, Rs2 million had been released.

He said he would continue his efforts and would knock at every door to resolve the issue. Appreciating the governor for giving him a hearing, he said confusion regarding the funds should be cleared as soon as possible.

In case the funds were not released, the Nazim said, he and the district council members would go to Islamabad to talk to the president and request him to either own or disown the project.

Mr Rafiquzzaman said it was better to resign instead of hearing criticism of the people. He praised adviser to CM on home affairs Aftab Ahmad Shaikh for supporting him, which he said, indicated the governor also recognized the package.

He also complained he was not being consulted in transfers and appointments in the district. He had been approaching quarters concerned in this regard but to no avail, he added.

He said under the Sindh Local Government Ordinance, 2001, it was mandatory to consult a Nazim in transfers and postings in his district. Q. Hakim told the meeting that a deadline should be fixed to decide the next line of action. Rauf Jafri called for close liaison with the district Nazim secretariat. The Nazim conceded that there was lack of coordination.