The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government announced on Thursday it would hold the long due local bodies (LB) polls on
party basis in April next year. However, critics in opposition as well as
within the ruling People Party were sceptical about the seriousness of the government
in this regard, recalling a similar 2-year old proclamation.
“The Peoples Party government has decided to hold local
bodies elections after 22 years under the previous (LB) system in order to
transfer powers at the grassroots level and solidity of democracy and
democratic institutions,” said Chaudhry Mohammad Yasin, AJK’s senior minister
for local government and rural development (LG&RD).
“The local governments coming into existence as a result of
LB polls will address concerns of people regarding civic amenities without any
delay besides serving as nurseries for democracy,” he said.
The last LB polls were held in AJK in 1991 during the
Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan led Muslim Conference government. However, when next LB
polls became due in 1995, the MC government put them in abeyance, reportedly to
avert friction in its ranks ahead of 1996 general elections.
Soon after assuming office in July 1996, the then Barrister
Sultan Mahmood led Peoples Party government also announced to hold LB polls on
party basis November 16, the same year.
According to official sources, Rs 4.6 million surety was
deposited by the candidates throughout AJK. However, the polls were cancelled
apparently for correction of voter lists but in effect to avoid any risks in
the wake of dissolution of Benazir Bhutto government in Islamabad. That surety has not been refunded to
the candidates to this day.
Ever since 1995, the charge of LB institutions is being
given by every government to ‘administrators’ who are either government
officials or ruling party leaders.
The senior minister claimed that compilation of electoral
rolls, appointment of election commissioner for local bodies and allied staff,
and demarcation of wards would be completed within the next six months to hold
the LB polls in April 2014.
However, main opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz
(PML-N) took the minister’s announcement with a pinch of salt “because the
PPAJK government had so far proved that it did not believe in honouring its
commitments.”
“Not too long ago, our party brought a resolution in the Legislative
Assembly for LB polls but tha was opposed by the treasury benches,” said PML-N MLA
Dr Najeeb Naqi, who is also vice president of party’s AJK chapter.
“They (government) claim themselves to be the champions of
democracy but are running these institutions undemocratically through
handpicked party loyalists…
Given their track record I am not sure they will keep their word,” he added.
“Our party is all out for LB polls and want them to be held
without further ado.”
Khawaja Farooq Ahmed, vice president of ruling PPAJK, also expressed
doubt that the government would honour its latest announcement, which was also
party’s commitment in the election manifesto.
“Unfortunately, Chaudhry Abdul Majeed led government’s
performance has been abysmally poor and this announcement seems to be a stunt
to divert attention from that and also to give a lollipop to disheartened party
workers,” said the rebel leader.
He said the sincerity of the government would become clear
after provision of funds to the election commission for compilation of
computerised electoral rolls.
“Otherwise, it would be yet another hoax.”
It may be recalled that in October 2011, Mr Yasin had told
a press conference in Mirpur that the LB polls would be held after six months..... Tariq Naqash
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