PESHAWAR, March 6: Chitral Nazim Shahzada Mohyuddin announced on Friday that he had tendered his resignation in protest against interference by the provincial government in the district's affairs.

Speaking at a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, the Nazim alleged that the MMA government had been interfering in the district's affairs through the district coordination officer. The chief minister, he added, had been issuing directives to the DCO without bothering to consult him.

The Chitral Scouts commandant, he alleged, had been creating problems for the district government, but the NWFP government was not taking any interest to resolve the issue. The Chitral Scouts, who were supposed to help the people, were instead creating hardships for them, he added.

The Nazim said in the given circumstances he had been left with no option but to resign, adding that it was his considered opinion that the NWFP government was trying to do away with the local bodies system.

It may be mentioned that Mr Mohyuddin is the first district Nazim to send his resignation to Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani, alleging that the NWFP government is creating hurdles in the functioning of the district.

Last year, a group of district Nazims had sent their en masse resignations to President Pervez Musharraf over differences with the provincial government and sought the president's intervention in the matter.

RESIGNATION WELCOMED: Maulana Abdul Akbar Khan, the MNA from Chitral, meanwhile, has requested the provincial government to accept Mr Mohyuddin's resignation.

Speaking at a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Saturday, Maulana Akbar said resignation was a commendable move which would help the people to free themselves from his (Nazim's) misrule. He accused the Nazim of fanning sectarianism in Chitral to protect his personal gains.

The district Nazim, he said, had failed to provide any relief to the people despite enjoying administrative powers in the district. He rejected allegations levelled by the Nazim against the MMA government.

The Jamaat-i-Islami MNA, who has been opposing the district Nazim since latter's victory in the local bodies elections, said he and other MPAs had obtained development funds from the federal and provincial government for mega projects in Chitral.

SOLIDARITY EXPRSSED: Following the resignation tendered by District Nazim Shahzada Mohyuddin, members of the district council and two tehsil councils are likely to follow suit and submit their resignations, sources told Dawn, our Chitral correspondent adds.

District Nazim Shahzada Mohyuddin has tendered his resignation, alleging that the provincial government was creating hurdles in the functioning of the district government.

Talking to Dawn on Saturday, District Naib Nazim Saleem Khan said a session of the district council had been convened to discuss the situation arising out of the Nazim's resignation. He said the meeting would also formulate a strategy to overcome the crisis.

He said the Nazims of Chitral and Mastuj tehsils would also attend the meeting and later they would convene sessions of their respective councils. He accused the provincial government of bypassing the district government in development planning and violating the local government ordinance.