By Danyal Shams
The performance of the district administration in Mardan has once again come under public scrutiny. Despite repeated reductions in petroleum prices by the government, public transport fares have remained virtually unchanged. Even today, a large banner displayed at the Mardan General Bus Stand advertises the fare from Mardan to Peshawar as Rs. 250—the same fare that was fixed when fuel prices were significantly higher.
This raises an important question: if the government issues official fare notifications, who is responsible for ensuring their implementation? Is the role of the district administration limited to issuing notifications, or does it also include making sure that the public actually benefits from government decisions?
The issue is not confined to transport fares alone. Although the government has also reduced LPG prices, consumers in Mardan continue to pay between Rs. 500 and Rs. 550 per kilogram at several outlets, despite the official price being approximately Rs. 242 per kilogram. Such blatant violations of government-notified rates raise serious concerns about enforcement. The silence of the relevant authorities has only encouraged profiteering at the expense of ordinary citizens.
Every day, thousands of students, government and private employees, labourers, and ordinary commuters are forced to bear the burden of inflated transport fares and excessive LPG prices. Yet, the administration’s presence in the field remains far from visible.
The concern does not end there. The district administration regularly conducts online Open Katcheris (public hearings), but these sessions typically last only 15 to 20 minutes, while announcements are often made on social media just two hours before they begin. One must ask: how many public grievances can realistically be heard, documented, and addressed in such a short period? If meaningful public engagement is the objective, why is the exercise reduced to little more than a formality?
Equally concerning is the complaint mechanism promoted through the Deputy Commissioner’s official Facebook page. Citizens are encouraged to report public issues through a DC WhatsApp Complaint Number. I personally submitted an important public complaint through this platform, yet four months have passed without any action, response, or even an acknowledgment of receipt. If public complaints receive no attention, what purpose does such a grievance redressal system actually serve?
Where criticism is warranted, credit must also be given where it is due. The district administration has recently undertaken operations against illegal encroachments in different parts of Mardan, a commendable initiative that has helped improve traffic flow and reclaim public spaces. These actions demonstrate that when the administration actively engages with the field, positive results can indeed be achieved.
It is particularly encouraging to see female Assistant Commissioners regularly present in their respective jurisdictions, supervising anti-encroachment drives, drainage cleaning, implementation of official price lists, and the resolution of public issues. Their performance clearly shows that governance cannot be delivered from behind office desks—it requires a visible and active presence on the ground.
However, the same level of commitment is urgently needed in Mardan City, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Assistant Commissioner Mardan. Stronger and more consistent enforcement is required in the city’s main markets, bus terminals, transport stands, LPG outlets, and commercial centres to ensure compliance with official price notifications, curb profiteering, and conduct regular field inspections. The public expects the same energy and efficiency demonstrated in other subdivisions to be reflected in Mardan City as well.
It is also true that the Deputy Commissioner of Mardan is widely regarded as a courteous, humble, and people-friendly officer. However, the public wishes to see him more frequently in the field rather than being confined to meetings and office work. Surprise inspections of markets, bus terminals, transport stands, and LPG outlets, coupled with direct supervision of price enforcement, would not only discourage violators but also motivate subordinate officers to perform more effectively.
This issue is not merely about administrative shortcomings; it concerns the enforcement of government directives, the writ of the state, and public confidence in governance. If official price lists cannot be enforced, public complaints remain unanswered, and public hearings become symbolic exercises, citizens are left wondering where they should turn for justice.
The Commissioner of Mardan Division, the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the Chief Minister are urged to take immediate notice of the non-implementation of official price lists, excessive transport fares, LPG overpricing, the ineffective public complaint mechanism, and the overall performance of the district administration. Accountability must be ensured, regular field inspections conducted, and strict action taken against those who continue to disregard government directives.
The people of Mardan do not need photo opportunities, symbolic online sessions, or ceremonial announcements. They need practical relief, effective governance, and impartial enforcement of the law. Government decisions can only benefit the public when the district administration is present in the field, ensures compliance with the law, and reassures every citizen that the state is committed to protecting their rights.
