K-P local councils plan all-party confab
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Local Councils Association has decided to hold an all parties conference in Peshawar on February 14 to develop consensus on problems faced by the local bodies due to lack of funds and administrative powers.
The provincial leadership of all parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will be invited and the problems of local governments will be presented to them and full cooperation will be requested.
An important meeting of the Local Councils Association was held in Peshawar on Tuesday chaired by its President Himayatullah Mayar.
The meeting was attended by mayors and tehsil chairmen from across the province.
The problems of LGs were discussed in detail at the meeting.
Mayar, said that on the occasion of the Peshawar sit-in on January 1, the negotiation committee of the provincial government comprising of Local Government Minister Arshad Ayub Khan, Education Minister Faisal Tarkai, Revenue Minister Nazir Abbasi, Special Assistant Rangiz Khan, had promised to resolve the demands within 20 days and within a week a meeting with the chief minister K-P was to be arranged.
He further said that even after a month, the problems have not been resolved, nor has a meeting been held with the Chief Minister.
The provincial government is not showing seriousness in solving the problems of the LGs including provision of powers and funds, he maintained.
He said that the provincial government is not fulfilling its promises as recently the Cabinet approved Rs5 lakh for each village and neighborhood councils in the merged districts and MPAs and MNAs have been included in the committees instead of LG representatives.
Mayar announced the meeting's declaration and released the details of the decisions made.
According to the unanimous decision of the Local Councils Association, letters will be sent to the government ministers involved in the negotiations during the Peshawar protest urging them to fulfill the promises within seven days, otherwise, on 11 February, meetings of 131 tehsils of K-P will be held and a full protest will be recorded.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
KCCI support hailed: Sindh CM says commited to improve business environment
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, while commending the Karachi Chamber for its steadfast support to the province's development agenda, reaffirmed the Sindh government's commitment to improving the quality of life and business environment in Karachi. Speaking at the Flag Hoisting and Independence Day Ceremony at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Wednesday, the Chief Minister announced that the newly constructed 100 MGD Hub Canal, along with the rehabilitation of the existing canal, was inaugurated by Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari today, significantly boosting Karachi's water supply. Furthermore, development work on K-IV water supply scheme will also be completed soon whereas Sindh government is also in the process of effluent water treatment plants so that the water being dumped into the ocean can be utilized by Karachiites to overcome their water needs, he added. The event was attended by Sindh Minister for Industries Jam Ikramullah Khan Dharejo, Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Chairman BMG Zubair Motiwala, President KCCI Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, Senior Vice President Zia ul Arfeen, Vice President Faisal Khalil Ahmed, members of the Managing Committee, and former Presidents of KCCI. CM Sindh praised KCCI for embracing this year's Independence Day theme, 'Marka-e-Haq,' calling it a reflection of the nation's quest for dignity and justice. He also lauded the restoration of KCCI's historic building, describing it as a landmark of Karachi's economic heritage, and congratulated Chairman Zubair Motiwala and his team for reviving its grandeur. The Chief Minister assured that surrounding streets will be rehabilitated by Mayor Karachi and reaffirmed the Sindh Government's commitment to resolving Karachi's civic and business challenges in close partnership with KCCI. While addressing the gathering, CM Shah reflected on the unity displayed by Pakistanis in the face of recent hostilities by India. He recalled that when India cast an aggressive eye towards Pakistan, the nation stood shoulder to shoulder with the Armed Forces, compelling the adversary to declare a ceasefire within hours. He stressed that Pakistan remains a peace-loving nation but will always respond with strength to safeguard its sovereignty. He further remarked that Pakistan is no longer in isolation, as countries around the world are seeking stronger ties with it. Chairman Businessmen Group, Zubair Motiwala, in his remarks, said that August 14 is a remarkable day that set Pakistan free from colonial rule and must be celebrated with full zeal while remembering the two million people who sacrificed their lives for independence. He paid glowing tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for creating Pakistan and lauded the Armed Forces for their exemplary response to Indian aggression, leaving no choice but for the adversary to raise the white flag. He also expressed his firm belief that Kashmir will one day become part of Pakistan, reaffirming it as a national pledge. President KCCI, Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, extended heartfelt congratulations to the nation on Pakistan's 78th Independence Day and paid homage to the sacrifices of those who made freedom possible. He praised the Sindh Government's 'Marka-e-Haq' theme as resonating with the spirit of the independence struggle. Highlighting the historic significance of KCCI's building, he noted that it had undergone its second major renovation after a gap of 16 years with the aim of preserving its original grandeur. He expressed deep appreciation for the leadership of the Businessmen Group, particularly Chairman Zubair Motiwala, for keeping KCCI strong, united, and proactive in safeguarding the interests of the business community. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Bilawal inaugurates new canal from Karachi
KARACHI: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari criticised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, dubbing him 'Shehbaz Slow' when it comes to uplift works in Karachi. While inaugurating a 100-million-gallon water project in Hub on Wednesday, the PPP chairman launched a scathing attack on the prime minister and sarcastically called him 'Shehbaz Slow' for delays in the K-IV water project. 'We expected Shehbaz Speed [for Karachi's uplift], but got Shehbaz Slow. Sindh govt decides to initiate 'Hub Canal', other projects It cannot be that Punjab gets Shehbaz Speed while Karachi is left with Shehbaz Slow,' Bilawal added while requesting the prime minister to fulfil his promises regarding the K-IV water project in Karachi. Turning his criticism to India, Bilawal said that the Modi government has conspired to block Pakistan's water supply, likening his tactics to those of Netanyahu. He condemned India's alleged plan to violate the Indus Waters Treaty by constructing dams, calling it 'the biggest historical attack on the Indus River.' 'Karachi's people know how to defend the Sindhu Darya [Indus River]. We will confront India diplomatically and, if needed, on the battlefield,' the PPP chairman warned. Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah declared the project a major gift for Karachi on Independence Day. He said that Karachi's federal water quota would be raised to 200 MGD by December. 'We inaugurated the project on August 13 as promised,' he said, adding that the main beneficiaries would be West Wharf, Keamari, and Central Karachi. The new canal, he said, would bring an additional 100 million gallons per day (MGD) of water to the city, doubling the capacity previously carried by the old canal. Murad said that the old canal could not transport even 60 MGD effectively, but the new infrastructure would overcome that limitation. 'We built this canal within the fixed time and budget, without any cost escalation,' he stated. 'This is a gift to Karachiites ahead of Independence Day.' The chief minister also announced that the restoration of the old canal would be completed by December, further boosting the city's water capacity to 140 MGD. He added that the provincial government was negotiating with the federal government to increase Sindh and Balochistan's water quota, citing improved water availability due to climate change. Murad said a 35 MGD water treatment plant would also be completed in September to supply industries, freeing up potable water for domestic use. Once the augmentation phase of K-IV is completed through arrangements with the World Bank, Karachi will receive 550 MGD of water, significantly easing shortages. The New Hub Canal spans 21.8 kilometres and includes 11 aqueducts, 19 culverts, and four bridges, with a total capacity of 130 MGD. Phase II of the project involves restoring the old canal, with 21.8 km of its section already closed for accelerated work. The Manghopir pumping station's 150 MGD capacity is also being restored, alongside the refurbishment of the filtration plant.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Bilawal hits out at PM for K-IV delay
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Tuesday inaugurated the newly constructed New Hub Canal - a Sindh government and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) project - aimed at addressing the chronic water shortages. The project will provide an additional 100 million gallons per day to the metropolis. The PPP chairman expressed strong displeasure over the prolonged delay in the completion of the K-IV mega water project by the federal govt. "It is unacceptable to operate with 'Shehbaz Speed' for Lahore and switch to 'Shehbaz Slow' for Karachi," he remarked. He said water scarcity had been a long-standing issue for Karachi and must be resolved on a priority basis. Alongside the construction of the new canal, renovation of the old Hub Canal was also under way, which would further enhance supply to District Central, District West and Keamari, while a PC-I had been prepared to extend the project's reach to Lyari. The PPP chairman said he would take up with PM Shehbaz Sharif the issue of non-provision of federal funds for Karachi's development projects and urge early completion of the K-IV scheme. He said he had expected the prime minister to support Karachi's development with the same urgency shown for Lahore. Turning to India, Bilawal alleged that New Delhi was funding the banned BLA and Majeed Brigade to shed the blood of innocent civilians. He accused India of conspiring to block Pakistan's share of water by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty in violation of international law and said the Modi government intended to construct dams and canals on the Indus River.
