RAWALPINDI, Dec 28: The district council through a unanimous resolution on Saturday asked the district government to impose ban on the snooker clubs in the city.

District Council member Ms Rukhsana moved the resolution seeking ban on the snooker clubs. Tabling the motion, she said the snooker clubs had become a nuisance for the neigbourhoods. She said gambling was common at these clubs and were frequented by anti-social elements. The vagabonds sitting at these clubs, she added, stare at the women passing through the streets thus creating embarrassment for them.

Other members taking part in the debate stressed on the district government to close down the clubs. They cited the example of the federal capital where the administration had banned the snooker clubs sometime back. “If it’s possible in Islamabad, then why not in Rawalpindi,” a member said.

Another member Mr Imran asked the provincial government to withdraw its orders of appointing the union council secretaries as Nikah registrars. He feared the decision would adversely impact on the working of the UCs and might give way to corruption. He said it would be difficult for one man to handle the entire population of a union council. He was of the opinion that the former system was better than the existing one, as it suited the needs of the people.

Mir Badshah Khan Afridi accused the sanitary staff of the Tehsil Municipal Administration of extortion. He said the sanitary staff did not perform its duty well due to which most of the areas of the city gave a filthy look.

He threatened to resign if the officials of the sanitary department were not transferred before the start of the next session. Council member Akbar Turk speaking on the resolution said Mr Afridi had levelled the charge out of personal enmity with some of the officials of the sanitary department.

The council decided to send the complaint to district Nazim for inquiry. Col Abbass (retired) sought implementation report of the resolutions passed by the council during its earlier sessions. He said the district government had to present report before the council during this session, but none of its officers turned up.

An interesting situation developed when the council began discussion on the issue of honorarium for the women councillors. Raja Ali Zaman remarked that while they were discussing important issues, the women started crying for their honoraria. This infuriated the women members, who strongly resented the remarks.

Ms Nargis Faiz Malik said the protest of women members was not simply for the sake of honoraria, but in fact they were struggling for their right being denied to them.