PTI Govt in KP Criticised for Weakening Local Bodies’ Powers
A multi-party conference held in Peshawar has strongly criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI)-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) for what opposition leaders and elected representatives described as an attempt to “paralyse” the local government system.
The conference, attended by senior leaders of major political parties along with mayors, tehsil chairmen, and councillors from across the province, condemned the provincial government for clipping the powers of elected representatives. Participants alleged that PTI, despite promising empowerment of local governments in its manifesto, shifted authority from local bodies to bureaucracy—undermining the people’s mandate.
Multi-Party Show of Unity
The event was organised at the Peshawar District Council Hall and brought together political figures including ANP’s Mian Iftikhar Hussain, PML-N’s Dr. Ibadullah, JUI-F’s Maulana Amanullah Haqqani, PPP’s Zahir Ali Shah, and QWP’s Sikandar Khan Sherpao. Mayors of Peshawar and Mardan, Zubair Ali and Himayatullah Mayar, also addressed the gathering.
According to a joint communiqué, participants agreed that depriving elected local representatives of their powers and development funds was a direct insult to the public mandate. They maintained that such steps not only weakened democracy at the grassroots level but also created governance challenges across the province.
Concerns Over Governance and Accountability
Speakers alleged that nepotism, mismanagement, and favouritism within provincial departments had paralysed service delivery in KP. They argued that shifting powers away from local councils had multiplied citizens’ problems instead of resolving them. Concerns were also raised about worsening conditions in health and education, growing unemployment, and the large-scale migration of youth abroad.
Leaders questioned why the KP government had been allowed to amend the Local Government Act 2013, changes that were later struck down as unconstitutional by the Peshawar High Court. They asked who would be held accountable for wasting over three years of elected representatives’ tenure due to these amendments.
Opposition lawmakers announced they would move a motion in the provincial assembly against any government officer who misused authority or curtailed the constitutional powers of elected bodies. Such officers, they said, would be summoned before assembly committees for accountability.
Call for Empowered Local Governance
The conference concluded with a unanimous resolution calling for the establishment of a strong and empowered local government system. Leaders emphasised that such a system was vital for strengthening democracy and ensuring better service delivery to citizens.
They demanded the immediate release of development funds to local councils as per the law and declared their intent to draft a new local government law in consultation with all political parties before the next local government elections.
Participants reiterated that mayors, chairmen, and council members—including women, minorities, farmers, and youth—were directly elected by the people for the first time in KP, and deserved to exercise their powers freely. Weakening their role, they argued, was unjust and a betrayal of democratic principles.
Conclusion
The strong show of unity among opposition parties and elected representatives highlights growing dissatisfaction with the PTI-led provincial government’s governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. As the demand for a new, inclusive local government law gains momentum, the coming months may prove decisive for the future of grassroots democracy in the province.
