RAWALPINDI, April 15: District Council members accused Tehsil Nazim Raja Hamid Nawaz of breaching the privilege of the district council, discrimination and favouritism.

This incident, on Monday, gave a new turn to the district politics following struggle for power between the district and its subordinate unit Tehsil. This confrontation was previously confined to the councillors and the bureaucracy.

The councillors were upset over the remarks written by the Tehsil Nazim on the application of union council Nazims, forwarded by the acting district Nazim, Raja Javed Ikhlas. The application pertained to distribution of streetlight bulbs among the union councils.

The remarks, made by the Tehsil Nazim were: “Why was the application given to the district Nazim? He had nothing to do with it. How can they check our records?”

To make things worse, a Tehsil official, replying to the acting district Nazim further added: “You should refrain from sending such letters in future.” Several members expressed indignation over Tehsil Nazim’s remarks.

Councillor Dilpazir Awan accused Tehsil Nazim of diverting a hefty amount of the Kushal Pakistan Programme (KPP) funds, allocated for the Rawalpindi Tehsil, to Dhamial constituency from where Tehsil Nazim’s family members contested elections. He informed that Rawalpindi Tehsil received Rs65 million, out of which Rs45 million were spent on Dhamial.

Mr Awan said he had proof to support the charges made by him. A senior official of the district government, he said, had disclosed this misappropriation to him.

He alleged that the Tehsil Nazim took sanitary staff to Lahore, in order, to meet the target given to him for President Musharraf’s rally. He was victimized by the TMA, when he talked to Mr Nawaz about these issues, he said.

Mian Imran Hayat said the district council would continue to respect the Tehsil Nazim and officials as long as they reciprocate. “If the Tehsil officials start disrespecting us, we would pay them back in the same coin.”

The issue was referred to Conduct Committee of the Council for further deliberation.

The presiding officer Irshad Abbasi informed the council that a five-member delegation of women councillors would meet the Punjab governor to apprise him about their issues. He asked the council to nominate members for the delegation through mutual consultation.

The minority councillors demanded that a meeting should be arranged between them and the governor.