KPK Updates

[Syed Haider Imam]

Re: KPK Government Achievements

Radio gaga: Turn up the mic, it’s the CM speaking

PESHAWAR: From 11am to noon, the chief minister was busy fielding questions from callers in Thursday’s live programme ‘Talk to Pervez Khattak’ at Pakhtunkhwa Radio FM92.2.
Talking to the media after the programme, Khattak said K-P’s masses, especially middle and lower income groups, were satisfied with the performance of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led provincial government.
According to a handout issued Thursday evening, Khattak said people had seen previous regimes and could tell the difference in how PTI and its coalition partners ran matters.
He criticised the elite, saying they could not see the change in K-P because they had no knowledge about the problems faced by the public for whom the government had taken significant steps.
“We improved the police, patwarkhana and schools—among other things—for the people,” Khattak said. He said those living in palaces were not happy with these steps because their homes are built on theft from government departments and the exchequer.
The chief minister added the government “gets a better idea about our performance through the opinion of the common man.”
Earlier on air, Khattak said the agenda of his government was based on change and its steps had provided much-needed relief. He said 80% of Peshawar’s schemes for beautification, cleanliness, road construction, drainage system repair and streetlights had been completed.
Direct lines
He urged the audience to inform the CM complaint cell of any misconduct on behalf of government departments. “These complaints will not be thrown into the bin and action will be taken.”
Khattak said increasing government employee salaries is in the books as they believed it helped root out corruption. He said the proposal may be difficult to implement due to financial constraints, but “the government will not shy away from eliminating corruption.”
On power outages, the chief minister told people they have refused to accept Peshawar Electric Supply Company’s load-shedding schedule. He said the Centre had been asked to provide K-P with its complete share and decrease power outages to half.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 22[SUP]nd[/SUP], 2015.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/890275/radio-gaga-turn-up-the-mic-its-the-cm-speaking/

 

[Syed Haider Imam]

Re: KPK Government Achievements

Civil mobile courts bill tabled in provincial assembly

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Friday tabled the much awaited ‘Establishment of Civil Mobile Courts Bill 2015’ in the provincial assembly so as to make functional mobile courts in different parts of the province.
If enacted, the law will be applicable to such areas of the province as notified by the government in consultation with the Peshawar High Court chief justice.
Due to absence of this proposed law a custom-built bus emblazoned with the words “Mobile Court” has permanently been parked on the premises of the Peshawar Judicial Complex as it is non-functional since Dec 7, 2013. The mobile court, first of its kind in the country, was inaugurated on July 27, 2012, by then PHC chief justice Dost Mohammad Khan.
Provincial law minister Imtiaz Shahid tabled the Establishment of Civil Mobile Courts Bill 2015. Another bill related to criminal mobile courts has yet to be tabled by the government.
The PHC had earlier drafted two bills and sent them to the previous provincial government in 2012, but could not be enacted. The present government also took two years to table this bill.

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The proposed law also provides for alternate dispute resolution

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The proposed law envisages that a civil judge would preside over the mobile court. The bill provides for a schedule explaining the jurisdiction of the court which includes suit for recovery of money due on contract in writing, receipt or any other document; suit for recovery of movable property or value thereof; suit for compensation; suit for redemption of mortgaged property; suit for enforcement of easement rights; suit to restraint waste and remove nuisance; suit for damages by cattle trespass; etc.
The proposed law also provides for alternate dispute resolution (ADR), stating that the court may resort to any mode of ADR as it deems fit after obtaining consent of both the parties.
The proposed law states “Government, in consultation with High Court, may establish one or more courts in each district or at such other place or places as it may deem necessary. Such courts shall hold sittings on rotation basis as directed by district judge at Tehsil Council or Town Council or Neighbourhood Council or Village Council or Police Station or any other place specified by the High Court.”
In response to the question of JUI-F MPA Mufti Syed Janan, the assembly was informed through a written reply that there were only 30 makeshift schools for 21,686 children in different camps of the internally displaced persons. Mufti Janan said that children staying in IDPs camps had been growing uneducated. He criticised the social welfare department for being unaware of the existence of such a camp established for IDPs hailing from Orakzai Agency.
QWP lawmaker Aneesa Zaib Tahirkheli said that she knew several unauthorised persons who had been using government vehicles. However, she said that the provincial administration in its reply had claimed that no government vehicle was being used by any unauthorised person. On the insistence of the mover, the house referred the question to the concerned committee for discussion.
Speaking on a point of order, PPP MPA Nighat Orakzai said that education of thousands of students would be affected if the Local Government and Rural Development Department didn’t stop closing or shifting their institutions from the upscale University Town areas.
In response, Provincial Minister for LG&RD Inayatullah Khan said that banning commercial activities in the University Town area was a very complicated issue. “Around 90 per cent of houses in the University Town are being used for commercial activities since long which is against the law,” he said.
Many meetings among the government and other stakeholders have so far been held for a proper solution, he said, adding “for giving three to four years relaxation to owners of commercial businesses to search alternative places for their business we need to bring amendments in the existing law of local government”. The speaker adjourned the sitting till June 15.
Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2015
http://www.dawn.com/news/1183752/civil-mobile-courts-bill-tabled-in-provincial-assembly

 

[Syed Haider Imam]

Re: KPK Government Achievements

Biometric attendance system bearing fruit

PESHAWAR: It was around 7:45am - the time of day when most workers arrive to start labour.
As workers enter Khalid Bin Walid Park in Peshawar cantonment area, they rush towards a huge tree under which a biometric attendance system (BAS) device lies at a desk.
Sanitation staff, gardeners and other daily-wagers of the Cantonment Board Peshawar (CBP), the civic agency of the capital city’s garrison area, put rough thumbs on BAS device to mark attendance.
They all are supposed to mark attendance by 8:30am otherwise they’re declared absent from duty.
The exercise is repeated thrice daily in all offices to ensure attendance of around 1,500 regular and contractual CBP employees. The BAS has also been installed in CBP offices and a hospital and two schools run by the board.
All employees are required to mark attendance in the morning, noon and afternoon. The BAS has been introduced in CBP around one year ago to address the issue of low attendance and unauthorised absence.
Officials said several ghost employees had been detected through the system.
“The BAS is used as a deterrence, which has produced positive results. The number of ghost employees has reduced and attendance has improved after installation of the system in the CBP-run bodies,” said Saleem Hassan Wattoo, the board’s chief executive.

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After govt offices and hospitals, KP schools will get electronic devices to record staff presence on duty

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He said the post of supervisor, who had to maintain attendance of workers on a daily basis, had been abolished after the BAS introduction.
“BAS installed in schools, hospital and Khalid Bin Walid Park has been connected with the system in our main offices through Internet. I get attendance data of registered employees daily,” he said.
Low attendance and unauthorised absence are chronic issues in government departments mostly those related to education and healthcare in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially in rural areas.
The provincial government spends millions of rupees every year on the establishment of special monitoring units to address the issue of low attendance and unauthorised absence from offices, especially schools and hospitals, but has failed to get the desired results.
In most cases, the government employees, especially teachers, remain absent from duty for a long period without leave with someone else signing daily attendance register on their behalf.
Recently, the education department sacked 23 teachers in remote Batagram district for remaining absent from duty for years.
The government-owned independent monitoring unit (IMU) in its report said percentage of absent teachers in public sector schools was 30 per cent in March 2014, showing almost 40,000 of the total of 140,000 teachers remained absent from duty in one month.
The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led coalition government in the province has opted for using electronic devices to overcome absenteeism and ensure presence of employees in offices and hospitals across the province.
An official said the department of elementary and secondary education had installed BAS equipment has been installed in central education offices of 23 of the total of 26 districts in the province to monitor attendance of the district education officer and subordinate staff.
He said the system had not been installed in remote districts like Torghar and Kohistan due to unavailability of Internet service.
“Response of the BAS is encouraging because the chief minister, education minister, education secretary and other relevant officers can check attendance of all employees on a daily basis,” said an official in the education department.
Another official, who works in a remote district, said the situation had improved after installation of the new system at the district level.
“Before installation of BAS, I myself left office in the morning on Saturday and went to home in Peshawar but now I can’t go because I know that the chief minister, minister and other officers in main secretariat in Peshawar can check me anytime in the office,” he said.
Elementary and secondary education minister Mohammad Atif told Dawn that after district education offices, BAS would be introduced in higher secondary schools, high and then middle schools across the province to check attendance of teachers and students.
He said his ministry had yet to evaluate the impact of BAS.
The system was recently installed in five major teaching hospitals of the province to improve patient care and will be extended to hospitals at district level.
Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2015

http://www.dawn.com/news/1183764/biometric-attendance-system-bearing-fruit

 

[Syed Haider Imam]

Re: KPK Government Achievements

Wildlife conservation body set up in Terich valley

CHITRAL: The wildlife department has set up a village conservation committee (VCC) in Zondgrangram area of Terich valley for protecting endangered species.
The president of the newly formed Roshgol VCC, retired Professor Rahmat Karim Baig, told Dawn on Friday that the area, situated at the bottom of Terich Mir peak of Hindukush mountains, was known for its rich flora and fauna with a high population of Himalayan ibex while the snow leopard was also spotted there.
He said that community-based conservation system was the only way to check poaching which posed grave threat to the population of ibex and other species, including the monal pheasant and partridge.
Mr Baig said the conflict between man and predators especially snow leopard was common in the valley and the formation of the VCC would surely help mitigate the intensity by compensating the losses in different ways.
He appreciated the efforts of the divisional forest officer of wildlife division, Imtiaz Hussain, for extending VCCs to the upper parts of Chitral to make the local community custodians of the biodiversity in their area having multi-faceted benefits.
“A local pattern of conservation was in vogue in the valley in the past which put an effective check on poaching which saved the population of different species from extinction,” he said, adding that even the predators were saved.
“The community based conservation has been highly successful in the present age as it enables people to manage their local wildlife species in return for financial benefits through trophy hunting,” he maintained.
The VCC president said Terich valley was the paradise of mountaineers and trekkers as it had many highest peaks, some as high as over 7,000 meters
The conservation of bio-diversity would help promote tourism in the area as tourists loved to see an ibex or markhor in its natural habitat.
Meanwhile, the DFO Imtiaz Hussain said two more VCCs were in the process of formation in Terich valley, adding that a conservancy might be set up in the area known for its fabulous varieties of wildlife.
He said the local people were highly responsive to the conservation efforts of the wildlife department.
Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2015
http://www.dawn.com/news/1183756/wildlife-conservation-body-set-up-in-terich-valley

 

[Syed Haider Imam]

May 24 , 2015

 

[Syed Haider Imam]

Re: KPK Government Achievements

May 25 2015

 

[Syed Haider Imam]

Re: KPK Government Achievements

 

[Syed Haider Imam]

Re: KPK Government Achievements

May 26 2015

 

[Syed Haider Imam]

Re: KPK Government Achievements

May 27 2015

LOCAL BODY ELECTION UPDATE

PTI young guns may surprise seasoned politicians in Swabi

SWABI: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s young candidates could pose a serious threat to survival of seasoned politicians in the Saturday’s local body elections in Swabi district.
The most interesting contest is expected in Saleem Khan union council where young Shahzada Fahad, district president of Insaf Students Federation, is contesting election for the district councillor against seasoned politicians, Gulzar Hussain, Akhtar Hussain, Mukharram Taj and Mukhtiar Khan.
The family of Mr Gulzar has remained prominent in the past and his late father, Said Arab Khan, dominated the Saleem Khan union council landscape for years.
His brother, Muqarab Khan, also remained nazim from the area.
However, now Mr Fahad has poses a threat to them as he is an educated fellow, is outspoken and has a strong support of youngsters.
When contacted, Mr Fahad said the local body election was totally different from the previous polls and that they had already shaken the status quo in the politics of Swabi.
Another interesting contest is between Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf candidates for Topi tehsil council seat. Aslam Khan, uncle of PML-N MPA Shiraz Khan, is a seasoned politician, pitched against Yunas Khan for the councillor seat.
It couldn’t be predicated who is going to win, but if Mr Yunas emerges victorious, then in the future elections he would be a dominant force from PK-36, Swabi-6 constituency.
Mr Yunas seeks vote under the slogan of ‘change’ and Mr Asalm on the basis of party’s contributions to development of Topi tehsil.
In Maneri Payan union council, Maj retired Fida Hussain who quit Pakistan People’s Party district general secretary slot and joined PTI contests election against Bilawal Khan and Jamidad Khan of ANP.
However, it might not be easy for him because the area has remained stronghold of ANP.
But the contest between bat and lantern would be an interesting one.
Biland Iqbal, Awami Jamhoori Ittehad Pakistan central general secretary, and uncle of Senior Minister Shahram Khan Tarakai, is contesting election from Tarakai union council for district councillor slot against ANP’s Fazal Rahim, Jihad Ali of PTI and Jawad Khan of PPP.
He claims that he will win the elections quite easily as his position is quite strong in the district.
Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2015
http://www.dawn.com/news/1184478/pti-young-guns-may-surprise-seasoned-politicians-in-swabi




Any port in a storm: Tattered alliances at the grass roots

PESHAWAR: In the run-up to local government (LG) elections, political coalitions have been difficult to maintain, partly because of the sheer scale of the electoral process in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. This has resulted in an oddity of alliances in the province where there are no friends or foes, nor any structure to explain who stands with whom.
Looking ahead
However, party leaderships and workers realise the importance of the electoral process at the grass-root level and the fact that the local bodies, once elected, will surpass the provincial assemblies in their tenure – an inevitable reality that will have far reaching consequences on the next general elections.

A cursory glance at alliances made at the topmost level show two main power blocs, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) versus the tripartite alliance of Awami National Party (ANP), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).

However, keeping activists and candidates in line with party decisions can be an uphill task. The provincial spokesperson and information secretary of JI, Israrullah admitted maintaining party discipline is a tough task during such an election. Israr told The Express Tribunealliances with other parties are based on local dynamics. “Candidates have been given a free hand to choose in accordance with their respective areas,” he says.

While PTI and JI are allies in parts of Peshawar, in Buner they have an adjustment with ANP on two seats; in Hazara Division – which is a stronghold of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) – they are in an alliance, and in Chitral they stand with JUI-F. In Charsadda, they stand with QWP, a party that has bitter ties with PTI and was once part of the government in K-P. Similarly, PTI and JI have an alliance in Malakand Division, a stronghold of JI, and in southern K-P they have seat adjustments with other parties.

“We have allowed the district councils to decide on their own after they inform the party’s central leadership about coalitions,” said Israr about his party.
Strategising

For opposition parties in K-P, the situation remains no different. Aside from the tripartite alliance, JUI-F has formed alliances with every party with the exception of PTI, claimed JUI-F K-P Information Secretary Abdul Jalil Jan.
While the party stands with JI in some areas in Peshawar, in Swat it has made adjustment with Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party and in Charsadda with ANP. As the southern districts remain a JUI-F stronghold, Jan said they only have a coalition with PPP in Lakki Marwat; in the remaining districts, JUI-F candidates are contesting on their own. “Our position in southern K-P is sound that is why we don’t need any coalition.” Jan added one JUI-F candidate had formed an alliance with PTI in Buner, but the party leadership put an end to it.
Out the window

With the patchwork of alliances across the province, it seems parties are not motivated by their ideological slants when deciding on whom to pair with – the sole motivation is the vote bank.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 25[SUP]th[/SUP], 2015.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/891709/any-port-in-a-storm-tattered-alliances-at-the-grass-roots/


Setting priorities: LG candidate all set to bring minority rights to the fore

PESHAWAR: Radesh Singh Tony, a 45-year-old Sikh candidate from the provincial capital, is all set to be the beacon that leads minorities to a brighter future.

He is vying for a reserved seat for minorities from Kotla Mohsin Khan union council 32, a congested neighbourhood in the city. Tony is among the 349 non-Muslim candidates who will contest election on 3,339 seats reserved for minorities in neighbourhood and village councils.

The aspirant is likely to represent the five Hindus, three Sikhs and five Christians who live in the region.
“The polls will provide me with a great opportunity to work towards their betterment and resolve the problems they are facing,” Tony toldThe Express Tribune.
Finding faith in politics


With an undergraduate degree in art from the University of Peshawar and an IT business of his own, Tony represents a breed of educated professionals who are turning to politics to ramp up support for minority rights.
Over the years, a large number of minorities’ seats have fallen vacant. “A major reason behind this is a lack of political awareness, education and poverty,” the 45-year-old leader said. “All these factors have kept people at bay from politics and prevented power from being transferred to the grass-roots level.”

According to Tony, many non-Muslims in the city have been compelled to live in dire straits and do not have access to education.


“They seldom realise the importance of elections and politics in altering the course of their lives,” he added.
Tough competition


Tony has gained considerable support from his family. His four brothers have actively assisted him during his campaign.

Although he has faced tough competition from Kabir Das, a Hindu candidate in the neighbourhood, the 45-year-old has not buckled under pressure. As the chairman of the Pakistan Sikh Community, he has vociferously championed the cause of his community.


“Our first priority is to provide clean drinking water, dispensaries in the area and upgrade schools,” he said. “Both Muslims and non-Muslims in the area are living like brothers and I will work towards everyone’s benefit.”
The lack of participation of minorities in the LG polls has raised countless concerns.
K-P Peace Education and Development Foundation Programme Manager Tariq Hayat Khan told The Express Tribune representatives of minority groups must enjoy full access to participate in the political sphere. “Protection of minority rights can be achieved by adopting a sensitive approach and including non-Muslims in the public sphere,” he said.

Khan added the limited participation of minorities in LG elections is a complex matter which needs to be addressed.
“There are a series of administrative, economic and social security issues which impede minorities’ access to representation,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25[SUP]th[/SUP], 2015.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/891712/...all-set-to-bring-minority-rights-to-the-fore/



Sensitivities: Only 11 polling stations declared normal in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: Only 11 polling stations out of a total 996 in the provincial capital have been declared normal by the Election Commission of Pakistan, while the rest are either ‘sensitive’ or ‘most sensitive’.

According to a list compiled by the ECP, the local government elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa would be conducted at 11,154 polling stations of which 4,425 polling stations were normal while the remaining 6,729 were either sensitive or most sensitive.

Charsadda and Tank do not have a single polling station that was declared normal.
Peshawar

As per the list, there will be 2,146 polling stations in Peshawar Division. The areas falling under its jurisdiction include Peshawar, Charsadda and Nowshera districts. Of the total, 340 are normal, while 945 are most sensitive and 861 are just sensitive.
Kohat

Similarly, in the Kohat Division, which comprises Kohat, Karak and Hangu districts, there are a total of 952 polling stations of which 549 are normal in terms of security, while 131 are most sensitive and 272 are sensitive.
Bannu

In Bannu Division, where Bannu and Lakki Marwat districts are located, there are 844 polling stations and only 259 are normal, while 376 are sensitive and 209 are most sensitive.
Hazara

The Hazara Division, comprising Haripur, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Battagram and Torghar districts, has a total of 2,186 polling stations and 942 of these were declared normal. At the same time, the division has 894 stations that are sensitive, while 350 are most sensitive.
DI Khan


Over in DI Khan Division lies the volatile Tank district. The division has 827 polling stations of which just 190 are normal, 274 are sensitive and 363 are most sensitive. Tank itself has 156 most-sensitive polling stations.
Malakand
Malakand Division with Swat, Shangla, Buner, Lower and Upper Dir, Malakand and Chitral under its wing has 2,490 polling stations. Of these, 1,388 are normal, 698 are sensitive and 404 are most sensitive.
Mardan
Mardan Division, which includes Swabi and Mardan districts, has a total 1,709 polling stations in which 557 are normal, 696 are sensitive and 456 are most sensitive.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 27[SUP]th[/SUP], 2015.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/892775/...polling-stations-declared-normal-in-peshawar/




Local government elections in K-P will bring 'real change': Imran

MARDAN: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan said on Wednesday that his dream of ‘Naya Pakistan’ will turn into a reality from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, as the local government system in the province will bring ‘real change’.

“We will bring a system which has never been introduced in Pakistan before. People will be empowered on village-level and the people will take their decisions themselves,” said Imran while addressing a party rally in Mardan as part of the forthcoming local bodies polls on May 30 in the province.

The PTI chief said that through local governments, local representatives will get development funds rather than MNAs and MPAs.
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“They will not have to go after the ministers but it will be otherwise. This is revolution,” he said. “Decisions of Mardan will be taken in Mardan and not in Peshawar.”
He argued that local representatives will decide on the building local schools, hospitals and cricket grounds.

Read: Local government: ‘Elected representatives will resolve problems at grass-roots level’


“We have to do things, which were never ever done before done in Pakistan.”
Taking a jibe at the Awami National Party (ANP), Imran said, “You were in government for five years, why didn’t you hold local government elections?”

Citing examples of Switzerland and other countries of Europe, Imran said he was inspired by the West, and developed the local bodies system himself.


“Switzerland is a country with cows and mountains only but the people are prosperous because they are independent,” said Imran. “They themselves manage their schools, hospitals and dispensaries.”
He thanked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for allowing him to campaign for his party in the spirit of true democracy.

Imran said the people in K-P will elect 45,000 representatives from all over the province as compared to Punjab, which although comprises 60% of Pakistan’s population, will only elect about 35,000 representatives.
He said all parties had come together against the PTI but he will emerge victorious.


“Do not worry your captain will defeat everyone.”
He said the police in K-P was an exemplary force for the entire Pakistan as compared to Punjab.


“Punjab Police serves Raiwind and the Sharif family.”
Hitting out at Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Imran said change comes through investing in your people and not building Metro Buses and underpasses.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/893177/local-government-elections-in-k-p-will-bring-real-change-imran/


What lies ahead?: New line of governance to be adopted after LG polls



PESHAWAR: Once the dust settles after the local bodies’ elections, a new line of governance will be introduced in the province at the grass-roots level.

According to documents available with The Express Tribune,administrative decisions will be taken at the village level to transfer powers to the grass-roots level. As per the devolution plan under the Local Government Act 2013, a city district government will be formed with Peshawar’s four towns after LG elections are completed. This new administrative set-up will replace the Peshawar district council and municipal corporation system. There will be four town administrations in the provincial capital.
Furthermore, 23 district councils will be converted into 23 district governments across K-P.
Tehsil municipal committees
At least 61 municipal committees, which are operating in these districts, will be converted into tehsil municipal administrations (TMAs). Furthermore, 69 TMAs will be established. The number of TMAs has increased because new tehsils have been created in Torghar, Bannu and Dir districts, according to a secretary of the local government department.

Changes at district level
At the district level, a council headed by the district nazim would serve as an executive body and the deputy commissioner (DC) will be under the nazim’s supervision.
All district-level government departments will work under the DC. Each department will have a district officer who will assist the DC.
Departments which fall under the DC’s control include health, education, finance, agriculture, livestock, and fisheries, among others.
The nazim will be elected by successful candidates of the district council. He must be selected from among successful district candidates.
“Any candidate who has managed to secure 51% votes will be appointed as nazim,” the secretary told The Express Tribune. “All votes will be polled through a show of hands. A similar procedure will be adopted to select a naib nazim.”
Tehsil level
A tehsil or town council would serve as an executive body at those levels. A nazim will be elected to lead the council and the selection procedure would be broadly similar to the rules for electing a district nazim.
The tehsil nazim would be assisted by a town municipal officer and other municipal officers who must be government servants.
Office spaces
According to Local Government Secretary Jamil Ahmad, the existing district council and municipal committee offices will be given to the new councils.
“If the need arises, repairs and refurbishment will be carried out,” he said. About the newly-created TMA offices, he said rented spaces will be provided to house them.
“We need funds worth Rs1 billion to address these needs,” Ahmed added.
The secretary said the government is also planning to set monthly honoraria for elected representatives.
Allocation of funds
According to Ahmed, 30% of the Annual Development Program of the province will be given to the local government.
He added the K-P finance department is currently managing fund allocation in the upcoming provincial budget.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/893397/...e-of-governance-to-be-adopted-after-lg-polls/





Aesthetic value: The (not so) creative side of the Election Commission

PESHAWAR: As soon as the sun goes up on May 30, the searing summer heat will not be the only obstacle residents of the provincial capital will have to overcome while they flock to polling stations to choose local government office-bearers.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has worked out a not so inventive way of putting the voters’ sense of judgment to test. A wide array of unconventionally creative election symbols has been curated and random allotment has already been completed. While symbols like generator plugs might catch the eye of many, others like empty bottles have not gone down well with several – the latter’s Pashto proverbial reference is that of an impaired person.

Therefore voters in Peshawar will now have a dual responsibility as they step into the polling booth – making an informed decision and ensuring the correct symbol has been stamped. “It is like choosing a six amongst a list of nines,” said Muhammad Shehryar, Jamaat-e-Islami leader in a Charsadda union council. He said the commission has allotted a pencil and a syringe to candidates who are up against each other on a particular youth seat. “I don’t think many can differentiate between the two images when the symbols come out in print,” he said, citing more examples of the photostat machine, printer and the washing machine. Shehryar said some of the symbols are downright ridiculous and impossible to campaign with. “The common man has little interest in the semiotics of these images,” he said.
While candidates with symbols like ducks, hens, harmoniums, drums or clothes hangers are parading the streets with scores of each in their arms, those who have been allotted kangaroos or ballistic missiles are still unsure whether procurement will be a good idea or not. Therefore this time around, candidates will not only be judged for their qualification and manifestos, but also for their aesthetic sense.
Turning the screws
The list comprises most items generally found on a dining table or a toolkit. “How will my villagers differentiate between the screw and the screwdriver amidst the hustle and bustle of polling?” questioned a perturbed candidate, Asghar Khan, who is counting on the symbol to drive him to victory. “It is the same for the bat and batsman,” he added. Asghar was of the view the confusion will invariably affect poll results.

Never seen one
Samiullah, a youth seat hopeful, believes his electoral symbol mocks his voters. “How will they distinctly recognise what a keyboard is when most haven’t even seen one in real life?” he said.
Misrepresentation
The Express Tribune also spoke about poll preps with another candidate, Zeeshan Khan, who was confidently recalling all the promises he has made to his voters until the question of the election symbol was brought up. “My symbol is the traffic police warden. When my posters went up in the area, people thought the warden is some supporter of mine,” he said.
A truck driver by profession, Farooq Shah is contesting LG polls for the second time. Despite multiple requests, his previous symbol – the chair – was allotted to another candidate while he has been asked to hold his campaign in place with the fork. Shah has therefore installed a 12x5ft steel fork on the roof of his vehicle. “This is the only suitable method I thought of adopting,” said the general council hopeful.
When approached for a comment, K-P election commissioner’s PRO Sohail Ahmed said the symbols have been allotted randomly as per law. “It is the candidates’ responsibility to represent them however they wish to,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 28[SUP]th[/SUP], 2015.

“Funds distribution among the three-tiers of the local government will be made by the provincial finance commission,” he said. “This commission will be created after the LG election and appointments of nazims. Ahmad added the commission would comprise two tehsil nazims and two district nazims along with ministers and two MPAs.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 28[SUP]th[/SUP], 2015.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/893383/...so-creative-side-of-the-election-commission/#

 

[Syed Haider Imam]

Re: KPK Government Achievements

‘Parents, teachers can help shape up lives of students’

PESHAWAR: Parents and teachers should put their heads together and shape up the lives of students for the country’s better future.
This was stated by Professor Rasool Jan, Vice Chancellor of the University of Peshawar, while speaking at the annual prize distribution ceremony at the University Public School here on Wednesday.
“We shouldn’t force children to perform beyond what they are. We should rather employee methods to inspire them,” he said.
The parents should not get angry at their children who had not performed well in academic year but should give them more love, he said. Those who stayed at the bottom of the merit lists, should work hard to improve next year, he added.
All children may not have same intellectual capability, therefore, we should be careful in forcing our students to become doctor and engineer etc, and presented them
examples where poor students had shown significant improvement when they were allowed to select their courses, maintained Mr Jan.
“Students should be guided by parents and teachers in selection of courses but not be forced to take up certain subjects,” he said.
“Purpose of education should be to produce good citizens as only getting position in class isn’t enough and we have to safeguard future of the generation,” he said.
College principal Hafiz Farooq Ali congratulated award-winning students in the last academic year and said that hard work held key to success.
Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2015

http://www.dawn.com/news/1184658/parents-teachers-can-help-shape-up-lives-of-students

 

[Syed Haider Imam]

Re: KPK Government Achievements

PHC stops dispute resolution councils from functioning


PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court on Wednesday suspended the functioning of the much-publicised dispute resolution councils (DRCs) set up across the province by the provincial police officer and asked the advocate general to produce written explanation and relevant documents about formation of these councils.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel and Justice Mohammad Daud Khan ruled that the functioning of DRCs would remain suspended until June 2, the next hearing into a petition of Qaisar Khan.
The chief justice observed that apparently DRCs had become parallel judicial forums functioning without any support of law.
He asked under what law, courtrooms were set up for the said councils in police stations.
Senior lawyer Imtiaz Ahmad appeared for the petitioner and said his client, a resident of Hayatabad Township, had a monetary dispute with another local citizen and that he was put on notice by the DRC set up in the west cantonment police station.

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Asks govt to explain their legality

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He said when his client did not appear before the council, he was warned of dire consequences by one of its member and was told that he was bound to strictly follow the council’s decisions.
The lawyer said when his client challenged the functioning of DRCs in the high court, he was informed that the council had rejected the complaint of his rival on the ground that the disputed amount involved was Rs2.7 million, which was beyond the jurisdiction of the council.
He said there were reservations about the functioning of DRCs, especially their membership as in the instant case, a property dealer, who claimed to be a lawyer, had issued the notice.
The chief justice observed that some lawyers had defamed the noble occupation of law as they had become property dealers but continued to act as legal practitioners.
A day earlier, the court took up the petition for hearing and asked advocate general Abdul Lateef Yousafzai to inform it on Wednesday about the formation of DRCs and the legal support for their functioning.
The advocate general said in the instant case, the relevant DRC had withdrawn its notice and stopped hearing into the dispute and therefore, it had become infructuous and could no longer be heard.
The bench observed that it had earlier taken notice of the issue in some other cases in Feb and had issued notice to the relevant officials asking them to inform it about the legality of DRCs but until now, the sought-0after information hadn’t been produced.
The advocate general said DRCs were established by the government through standing orders and that those orders would be produced before the court during the next hearing.
Currently, around 50 DRCs function across the province under a foreign-funded project.
Initially, a DRC was established at the Gulbahar police station in Jan 2014.
There are superior panels in DRCs to hear the cases already decided by regular panels. However, they’re not acceptable to one or the other party.
Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2015
http://www.dawn.com/news/1184661/phc-stops-dispute-resolution-councils-from-functioning

 

[Syed Haider Imam]

Re: KPK Government Achievements

PTI govt empowering people through LG system, says Imran

PESHAWAR: PTI chairman Imran on Wednesday said his party’s government was empowering the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by introducing the best form of local government system, which would turn the province into the promised ‘New Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’.
Addressing public meetings in Mardan, Nowshera and Peshawar, the PTI chief said with 13 per cent of the country’s population, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would elect 45,000 representatives in local body polls, while Punjab, which had 60 per cent of the national population, would get 35,000 representatives under its local government system.
He said the residents of Mardan won’t need to travel to Peshawar for decisions about playgrounds, schools, hospitals and police stations in their areas as the new local body system would enable them to make own decisions.
Imran thanked the Election Commission of Pakistan to allow him to address public meetings ahead of local government polls and appealed to the people to vote for his party’s candidates for the continuation of reforms in the province.

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Claims party will sweep LG polls in province

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He said ANP claimed to be a secular party, while JUI-F was a religious party, but both had allied against PTI.
“We will defeat all parties. PML-N’s Nawaz Sharif and PPP’s Asif Zardari have also united fearing PTI,” he said.
The PTI chief said his party alone could defeat all forces of status quo in the country as it had street power.
He conceded that the PTI government hadn’t delivered to a desired level because it was making new laws and was doing spadework to prevent corruption before executing development schemes.
Imran said the province’s accountability commission worked independently and wasn’t going to spare anyone be they’re in government or in opposition.
He said the ruthless accountability would lead to the end of corruption.
The PTI chief said the people who said tsunami was over were wrong and that it had begun and that there was no political party in the country, which could challenge the PTI’s programme of reforms.
“Why the ANP didn’t hold LG polls PTI govt empowering people through LG system: Imran during its government. It didn’t do so because it would have blocked its corruption,” he said.
Imran said the system would be free of the chief minister’s influence and that funds would be spent transparently.
“The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police have become a model for the whole country by protecting the people. However, Punjab police are being used by Sharifs for own interests, so the people fear them,” he said.
He said the PTI government was implementing a European local government model, which would surely be replicated by other provinces due to its effectiveness.
In Mardan and Nowshera, the PTI chief spoke about the benefits of the LG system, while in Peshawar, where he addressed the third public meeting of the day at Shah Tehmas football ground, he said a verdict by judicial commission was expected to come soon after which general election will take place in which his party will be victorious.
Imran said everything was emerging out the fraud in May 2013 elections.
“It is a great victory of the people that for the first time in Pakistan’s history, election rigging is being probed,” he said.
The PTI chairman said the people of the province would face a marked difference in the performance of public sector hospitals after the government changed old laws.
He said he was unhappy that PTI didn’t create more jobs for the people but his party had come to power for the first time and therefore, it lacked experience of how to make things happen.
Imran, however, said the provincial ministers and lawmakers had learned skills of governance and that they were on their way to executing the PTI vision.
He appreciated Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and his team for creating a ‘New Pakhtunkhwa’ and said the pace of development in the province would gradually accelerate.
Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2015

http://www.dawn.com/news/1184665/pti-govt-empowering-people-through-lg-system-says-imran

 

[Syed Haider Imam]

Re: KPK Government Achievements

Official arrested over illegal appointments

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ehtesab Commission (KPEC) on Tuesday arrested an additional secretary of finance department on charges of making illegal appointments in the social welfare department when he was its director during the previous provincial government.
The arrested official, Imtiaz Ayub, will be produced before an Ehtesab court on Wednesday (today) by the commission for getting his physical custody.
The commission alleged that the suspect was a former director of social welfare department and had allegedly made appointments in the department contrary to rules, which was a crime under Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ehtesab Commission Act.
Barrister Qazi Babar Irshad, an additional deputy prosecutor general of the commission, said that in the same case the commission had earlier arrested an assistant of the said department, Sardar Ali, who was serving in the industrial training centre of the department.

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Ehtesab Commission to present additional secretary before court today

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Sardar Ali was arrested on May 7 on charges of receiving bribes from candidates aspiring for getting jobs during the previous provincial government. The suspect is still in the custody of the commission.
The commission alleged that the suspect used to receive money for preparing forged documents for the candidates, who the high-ups in the department wanted to appoint against different posts.
BIOMETRIC SYSTEM: The KPEC has installed biometric attendance system at its office with the collaboration of directorate of information technology, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The officials of the directorate provided the devices to the commission and installed the same at its office besides imparting necessary training to its staff for successful running of the system.
The director general of the KPEC, retired Lt Gen Mohammad Hamid Khan, inaugurated the system on Tuesday.
He took personal interest in its installation and ensured that the system became operative in the shortest possible time. The employees of KPEC also supported the idea with the view to make it an example of efficiency for other government organisations.
Addressing the employees on this occasion, the director general highlighted the importance of time management system. He said that time was the only commodity which could not be stored and could not be retrieved.
Mr Khan said that time was a bridge between fame and failure and it also provided opportunities to finish their assignments in a sound and professional manner. He also appreciated the efforts of information technology wing of the commission in this regard.
Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2015
http://www.dawn.com/news/1184481/official-arrested-over-illegal-appointments

 

[Syed Haider Imam]

Re: KPK Government Achievements

Govt warned against changing hospital administrations

PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Medical Association, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Tuesday warned that administrative changes at government teaching hospitals in the province was tantamount to committing contempt of the court as the matter was sub judice.
The warning was given in separate legal notices issued to the provincial governor, chief minister and 26 relevant people.
In the notices issued through senior lawyer Mian Muhibullah Kakakhel, provincial PMA president Dr Hussain Ahmad Haroon asked respondents to refrain from taking drastic steps under the KP Medical Teaching Institutions Act, 2015, or its rules as the matter is pending with the Peshawar High Court for decision.
Besides governor and chief minister, the respondents also included chairmen and members of the newly-created boards of governors of three public sector teaching hospitals, secretaries of health, law and higher education departments, principals of Khyber Medical College, Khyber Girls Medical College and several others.
In the notices, Dr Haroon said the Teachers KMC and others had filed a petition against the enactment of the KP Medical teaching Institutions Reform Act, 2015, by the provincial government and later, the PMA also became co-petitioner.
He said senior most KMC teaching staff had challenged the KP Medical Teaching Institutions Act, 2015, in the court on different grounds.
The petitioner told respondents that not only comments had been called from them in the said petition by the Peshawar High Court but a notice had also been issued to the relevant officials and advocate general of the province on it.
He claimed during all hearings, the government failed to furnish comments on the petition as it had nothing to say.
The petitioner said the government and the hospitals’ BoGs formed under the impugned law had begun taking major decisions and steps under that law despite knowing that the superstructure built on a matter, which is sub judice, was liable to collapse at their risk and cost.
He said the professors’ mental agony was manifest as it was reasonably felt that the government was trying to bring in their own favourite people from abroad and other cities of the country to ‘run the show’.
Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2015

 

[Syed Haider Imam]

Re: KPK Government Achievements

45kg explosive device defused in Charsadda

CHARSADDA: Police foiled a sabotage bid by defusing a 45-kilogram explosive device in Mansooka area here on Tuesday.
SHO Ejaz told journalists that the explosive device was planted by unidentified terrorists near an abandoned gur ghani (brown sugar factory). He said that police rushed to the area when they got information about the explosive device. Police called the bomb disposal squad which defused the 45-kilogram explosive device safely, he added.
The SHO said that the device was actually consisted of three bombs, which were fitted in missile like shell. They also seized two kilograms of ball bearings, 30 feet prima cards and batteries from the site, he said.
Police registered FIR against unidentified terrorists and started investigation.
IGP VISIT: Inspector General of Police Nasir Khan Durrani paid a surprise visit to district Charsadda on Monday. He was accompanied by Mardan RPO Saeed Wazir. During his visit, the IGP inspected Charsadda police station and reviewed its working, preparedness and security arrangements.
The IGP was briefed by the officials of the police station about the tenant information form (TIF), crime situation and the proclaimed offenders arrested by them.
The police chief also met the members of dispute resolution council (DRC), present at the police station. They informed him about various disputes resolved by them and growing interest of local public in the council. Later, the IGP also visited Charsadda Bazaar and Sardaryab police post, which serves as a gateway between Charsadda and Peshawar.
Addressing the policemen, Mr Durrani said people had attached great expectations to them. He directed them not to succumb to any temptation and win the hearts and minds of the people by performing their duty with professional zeal and spirit.
Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2015
http://www.dawn.com/news/1184488/45kg-explosive-device-defused-in-charsadda

 

[Syed Haider Imam]

Re: KPK Government Achievements

Centre delaying completion of projects in KP, says Imran

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan said on Tuesday that the federal government was responsible for the delay in completion of major projects like Lowari Tunnel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“The federal government should have released 70 per cent of funds allocated to the central programmes till now, but in case of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the programmes could get only 20 per cent of the amount,” Mr Khan told reporters here. He said that the delay in release of funds to the province was hampering the execution of development projects in a timely manner.
The PTI chairman spent a busy day in Peshawar and visited the Government Girls High School Doranpur, Lady Griffith School, Gulberg Police Station, Police Lines and the under-construction Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Hayatabad.
Speaking to reporters during the visits, Mr Khan accused the centre of diverting funds of Lowari Tunnel to other projects much to the embarrassment of people of Chitral. “Punjab has spent 50 per cent of the funds because of the early release by the centre whereas the KP received delayed amounts due to which these couldn’t be utilised,” he said.
The centre also failed to provide funds for the Chashma Right Bank Canal which added to the sufferings of the farmers, he said. The province could become self-sufficient in wheat production if the canal was built as most of the land would become cultivable, he said.
The PTI chief was accompanied by Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, education minister Mohammad Atif, information minister Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani and others.

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Cancer hospital to be operational in Peshawar by year’s end

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Mr Khan said that much of the province’s water was wasted due to delay in construction of the canal. He said that they had introduced the Tameer-i-School Programme for which funds were donated by philanthropists and spent through parents of the students. The programme has been very successful because there is no chance of corruption and one can do more work through less money, he said.
The PTI chief also said that the SKMCH, Peshawar, would become operational by the end of the current year and said that it would benefit about 40 per cent of the KP and Fata cancer patients who were currently visiting Lahore.
Inspecting the pace of construction at the site, he appreciated the former Awami National Party-led government for free allotment of land for the hospital and said that they had reciprocated the generosity by building it. He said that the provincial government was changing the system to improve the patient care in hospitals.
Mr Khan also received live calls from the people at Pakhtunkhwa Radio and responded to their queries and complaints. The province is rapidly working to computerise land record by 2016, he said. To a questioner, he said that the Bank of Khyber was not being privatised, but strengthened to utilise its services for the benefit of masses.
There will be independent audit of the universities to ensure transparency, he said, adding that the province was working under the guidance of Dr Attaur Rehman to improve higher education scenario.
“The women should vote in the local government election because we need them for bringing improvement in the system,” he said. The new LG system will empower the communities at the grassroots level and they would be able to take their own decisions, he said.
Mr Khan said that the government should have used the Chine-Pakistan Economic Corridor programme to cement the federation, but it was hiding the nitty-gritty of the programme which created doubts. He said that the government was engaged in the dialogue concerning the corridor project with China since 2013, but the people didn’t know about it.
He claimed that the KP police had become a model for the whole country due to reforms by the government. He condemned the killing of two lawyers in Daska by police and alleged that Sharifs were in the habit of using police against their opponents. He said that Punjab had become a virtual police state and it was time that all the people stood up against the rulers.
Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2015
http://www.dawn.com/news/1184491/centre-delaying-completion-of-projects-in-kp-says-imran

 

[Syed Haider Imam]

Re: KPK Government Achievements

Protest against PTI MPA for ‘corruption’ in uplift schemes

KOHAT: The local residents on Monday staged a demonstration against PTI lawmaker Ziaullah Bangash, holding him responsible for delay in launch of development projects, and nepotism in awarding tickets for LG polls.
Mr Bangash, who is also the chairman of the district development advisory committee, had gone to Nasrat Khel, in his KP-37 constituency in connection with party’s election campaign for the local body polls, but the protesters besieged him and started shouting against him for alleged corruption and nepotism in award of tickets to candidates for LG polls.
Mr Bangash had announced Rs30 million projects for his constituency last year.
Malik Ahmed Khan, Malik Saeed Iqbal, Malik Mawaz Khan and Malik Iqbal led the protesters, who wore black bands on their arms. The people were holding placards inscribed with the slogans against PTI, MPA Bangash and MNA Shehryar Afridi.
The protesters told the MPA that they were not ready to hear him as he had been ‘lying’ to them for two years.
They alleged that the lawmaker had announced gas, power supply and road projects, but work could not be started on them till date.
Moreover, they alleged that the MPA had fielded his relatives as independent candidates for the LG polls.
The protesters alleged that Rs700 million allocated for the repair and reconstruction of Kohat roads had not been accounted for.
A protester recalled that last month a mad dog bit eight people in the area, but the district administration didn’t help them in availing the treatment.
The protesters asked the MPA not to come again in the area for seeking votes, otherwise they would turn violent. The MPA was escorted to his car by the police when the people became more charged.
OUTLAWS ARRESTED: In a crackdown against wanted outlaws on Monday the police arrested 166 suspected criminals and their facilitators and destroyed three hideouts.
The police teams also seized huge quantity of arms, ammunition and hashish from the outlaws who had been declared as absconders by various courts.
The teams led by DPO Mohammad Sohaeb Ashraf raided different places on a tip-off and arrested the proclaimed offenders. Three hideouts of criminals were also demolished in Kardhand area.
The seizure included 14 Kalashnikovs, six kalakovs, 19 repeaters, 22 rifles, 32 pistols and 23 kilograms of hashish.
They were presented before the courts after registration of cases against them and were sent to prison on judicial remand.
Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2015
http://www.dawn.com/news/1184313/protest-against-pti-mpa-for-corruption-in-uplift-schemes

 

[ifteeahmed]

Re: KPK Government Achievements

Official arrested over illegal appointments

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ehtesab Commission (KPEC) on Tuesday arrested an additional secretary of finance department on charges of making illegal appointments in the social welfare department when he was its director during the previous provincial government.
The arrested official, Imtiaz Ayub, will be produced before an Ehtesab court on Wednesday (today) by the commission for getting his physical custody.
The commission alleged that the suspect was a former director of social welfare department and had allegedly made appointments in the department contrary to rules, which was a crime under Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ehtesab Commission Act.
Barrister Qazi Babar Irshad, an additional deputy prosecutor general of the commission, said that in the same case the commission had earlier arrested an assistant of the said department, Sardar Ali, who was serving in the industrial training centre of the department.

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Ehtesab Commission to present additional secretary before court today

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Sardar Ali was arrested on May 7 on charges of receiving bribes from candidates aspiring for getting jobs during the previous provincial government. The suspect is still in the custody of the commission.
The commission alleged that the suspect used to receive money for preparing forged documents for the candidates, who the high-ups in the department wanted to appoint against different posts.
BIOMETRIC SYSTEM: The KPEC has installed biometric attendance system at its office with the collaboration of directorate of information technology, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The officials of the directorate provided the devices to the commission and installed the same at its office besides imparting necessary training to its staff for successful running of the system.
The director general of the KPEC, retired Lt Gen Mohammad Hamid Khan, inaugurated the system on Tuesday.
He took personal interest in its installation and ensured that the system became operative in the shortest possible time. The employees of KPEC also supported the idea with the view to make it an example of efficiency for other government organisations.
Addressing the employees on this occasion, the director general highlighted the importance of time management system. He said that time was the only commodity which could not be stored and could not be retrieved.
Mr Khan said that time was a bridge between fame and failure and it also provided opportunities to finish their assignments in a sound and professional manner. He also appreciated the efforts of information technology wing of the commission in this regard.
Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2015
http://www.dawn.com/news/1184481/official-arrested-over-illegal-appointments

جب کہ دوسری طرف زرداری کو سڑک پر گھسیٹنے والا اپنی کرپشن چھپتا پھر رہا ہے

 

[eye-eye-PTI]

Syed Haider Imam bhai itna achaa aor informative thread bananay aor issay regularly update kernay ka bahot bahot shukriya.

 

[Syed Haider Imam]

28 May 2015