KARACHI, Aug 24: Senior Vice-President of the PML-N, Sindh chapter, Mr Salim Zia has demanded elections in the 48 cantonment boards of the country to give the residents representation in decision-making and to end alleged corruption in these institutions.

Criticizing Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal’s statement during question hour in the National Assembly about amendments to the Cantonment Ordinance-2002, Mr Zia termed it an attempt to cover up the mismanagement in these institutions.

He claimed that many irregularities had been detected in the use of funds and allotment of government land in cantonment areas and if the government was serious about its commitment to the local government system, then it must immediately hold elections in the cantonment boards so that elected representatives could take part in managing the affairs.

He claimed that development work had badly suffered due to the arbitrary decisions in this process also.