Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Non-issuance of notification on powers of capital’s newly elected mayor has gone quizzical. It comes to them as source of embarrassment when the Nazmeens and councilors find the that the notification is still nowhere in the process of formation despite the fact that the Capital development Authority (CDA) and district management recommendations have been received to Interior Ministry.

According to reports received in Daily Times, CDA has given recommendations to committee for handing over 16 directorates partly and 18 fully to Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC). A decision has also been taken to shift 9,396 out of 18,635 officers and subordinate staff to metropolitan corporation in capital. The recommendations have also been worked out to hand over 481 small vehicles and 331 heavy vehicles to metropolitan corporation. The district management has also given a formula to the committee in this regard. According to the sources of Daily Times, committee has provided recommendations to the Interior Ministry and the latter has to issue notification in this regard. Every UC chairman had spent millions of rupees in election and made pledges with the voters of his constituency. Neither any office has been provided to them in union council nor has any honorarium been paid to them despite lapse of four months and 13 days. Now the general councilors and Nazmeens switch off their mobiles and stay outside their homes to avoid voters. They are forced to return to their homes in the darkness of night. Sources said that the Nazmeens are annoyed with capital’s Mayor Sheikh Ansar as he does not attend phone calls and nor does he console them. Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) State Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry looks worried over this matter as the rumours are finding way into his constituency that the interior minister can be hindrance on the way to issuance of the notification. The sources of Daily Times said that a letter was sent from Prime Minister House to Interior Ministry that notification on powers of mayor be issued as soon as possible. The matter was then assigned to committee, which was to evolve recommendations for taking over departments and staff from CDA and district management. The committee has now completed its work.

While talking to Daily Times, former senator Syed Zafar Ali Shah said that the government should determine powers as soon as possible. Providing offices is the prime responsibility of government. He remarked, “Had I been Islamabad’s mayor, I would have got my right far before”.

Metropolitan sources said that the Interior Ministry has assured that the notification would be issued in this week.