NAUSHAHRO FEROZE, April 23: Women councillors on Wednesday complained of not being able to resolve the people’s problems as their effectiveness was being curtailed by their lack of powers.

They were speaking at the Women Councillors’ Conference, which was held under the aegis of the Citizens’ Action Committee for Women’s Rights at the district council hall here.

Members of the conference reviewed the two-year-long performance of the women

councillors and the ways and means to strengthen the working of elected female representatives.

District Nazim Masroor Khan presided over the conference, participated by 130 councillors from all over the district while programme officers of the Aurat Foundation Adam Malik, Qazi Azmat, and Ms Hina also attended the conference.

Councillors complained that even Nazims, whether at the district or union council levels, could not positively respond towards resolving the people’s problems.

Complaining about not being able to provide any relief to the common man, councillors said that developments schemes were not being approved while, despite their recommendations, a large number of the poor people were not getting Zakat or Baitul Maal funds.

A councillor from Kandiaro, Dr Ruqayya Soomro, said that women councillors were increasingly being told by the Nazims of the union and taluka councils that they had no powers, adding that even the district Nazims had complaints in this regard.

Councillors from Moro and Abran complained about non-payment of bills, including TA/DA.

District Nazim Masroor Khan Jatoi assured the women councillors that they would enjoy the same status as being enjoyed by their male counterparts.