MARDAN: The slot of Mardan district nazim has been lying vacant for the last six months owing to disagreement among the council members over the candidate’s name, which has stalled the development works in the district.

According to relevant officials, 12 district council members, including district nazim Himayatullah Mayar, had resigned on June 11 from their posts to take part in the general elections.

After resignation of district nazim, the council called five meetings in last six months to elect officiating district nazim, but the members belonging to various political parties failed to agree on the name.

As a result, naib nazim Asad Ali has to act as district nazim. Though the council approved budget in Sept last, only non-development funds were released.

Due to non-functional district council, the government hospitals have been facing shortage of medicines. Scholarships to deserving poor students have also been withheld owing to non-release of development funds.

As per the local government act, a candidate contesting for the slot of district nazim is required to get 57 votes, but no party in the district council has the required votes. Political experts believe that a few political personalities were creating hurdles to the election of the nazim.

Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2018