FAISALABAD, Dec 1: The tussle between the opposition-backed nazim of Jinnah Town and its TMO has marred the working of the nascent local government institution meant for resolving civic and other problems of the people. The town nazim slot was bagged by Shahzad Malik, a younger brother of PML-N MPA Nawaz Malik, in the recent local polls.

Sources said as the provincial top brass was not happy with the victory of an opposition-backed candidate in the town, it started creating hurdles in the smooth functioning of town nazim office.

First of all, a BPS-18 officer, Khalid Raju, was posted as TMO against a grade-19 post, who, soon after assuming his charge, cancelled all orders passed by the town nazim, including posting and transfers of sanitary staff, and building, land and taxation branch officials, they said.

Shahzad Malik protested against such arbitrary steps of the provincial government and demanded posting of an ‘appropriate’ officer for the smooth functioning of the town administration.

Moreover, the offices of this newly-created town have been established in the defunct Zila Council rest house, where over 600 staff members, including officials and low-grade employees, have to work.

The tussle between the two most important offices in the town with 39 UCs and 7,89,088 population was adversely affecting the business of TMA.

The town’s civic problems, including those pertaining to drainage, water supply, street conditions, encroachments and sanitation are being neglected due to this strife.