Convention calls for referendum on fate of local govts

[Naveed Yaseen]

* PML-Q MNA says her party opposes disbanding of LGs
* Speakers vow to raise matter in parliament

By Mahtab Bashir

ABBOTTABAD: Local governments across the country on Monday called upon the government to immediately announce a schedule for local bodies election and vowed to resist the appointment of administrators in place of nazims.

This was announced at a local government convention on Monday by nazims from all four provinces and members of national and provincial assemblies.

Speakers at the convention demanded the government hold a countrywide referendum to decide the fate of the local government system to seek public opinion in this regard.

Former National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) chairman Daniyal Aziz said the local government system would not be allowed to be undermined. He said the local governments were the new political reality in the country, adding that if the government was not careful while handling this matter the country would suffer irreparable damage. He said local government conventions would be held in all four provinces, adding that the next convention would take place in Quetta on August 9.

“We are going through a critical phase. If we surrender to the establishment and bureaucracy on the issue of the LG system today, we will never prosper,” Aziz said.

No way: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid National Assembly Member Marvi Memon said her party opposed the disbanding of local governments, adding she would raise the issue in the NA.

PML-Q Senator Salim Saifullah praised the LG system saying it was an engine for socio-economic development in the country.

“This system is there to serve the masses and is the only path to prosperity,” he said, adding that the government should hold local bodies elections instead of abolishing them institutions and appointing administrators in place of nazims.

To parliament: The speakers pledged to support the existing local government system and announced to raise the issue in parliament. They called the abolition of the local government system a blow to democracy in the country.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg7_1