Muhammad Rehan
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The Local Government Employees Federation Registered Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is striving to ensure the release of funds for the timely payment of salaries and pensions to employees and pensioners of local government institutions, especially ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
According to details, following the federation’s request to ensure advance payment of salaries and pensions in line with government instructions before Eid, Secretary Local Government and Rural Development Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Zafarul Islam Khattak, took immediate action by obtaining financial reports from all Tehsil Municipal Administrations (TMAs) across the province within three days.
After reviewing the financial position and receiving recommendations from the relevant committee, a formal summary was forwarded to the Finance Department for approval of a special grant to facilitate payment of salaries and pensions to employees and pensioners of financially weak TMAs.
The Secretary has also called for the early release of UIP tax collected by the Excise Department during the last financial year to support financial requirements.
Meanwhile, a high-level committee comprising officials from the Local Government Department has been convened to address objections raised by the Law and Finance Departments regarding the summary, ensuring the payment of pensions from Account-IV. The committee has been tasked with responding to these objections within two days.
According to sources, approval of the grant from the Finance Department is expected soon.
The federation has also written to the Speaker of the Provincial Assembly to ensure implementation of the Service Structure Regulations 2023 in their true spirit. Reports suggest that members of the Provincial Assembly are being approached to raise related matters in the House, including proposals to align the working hours of local body watchmen with those of the Education Department.
In a joint statement, office bearers of the federation — Patron-in-Chief Shaukat Kayani, President Haji Anwar Kamal Khan Marwat, Chairman Mehboobullah, General Secretary Suleman Khan Hoti, along with representatives of the Pakistan Workers Federation — appreciated the efforts of the Secretary Local Government and the entire team for initiating urgent steps to secure a special grant for Eid payments.
They strongly appealed to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Minister for Local Government, the Chief Secretary, the Secretary Finance, and other concerned authorities to ensure immediate release of the special grant to ease the financial difficulties of low-paid employees and pensioners and to enhance Eid celebrations for their families.
