PESHAWAR: Awami National Party provincial president Mian Iftikhar Hussain on Friday expressed concern about a delay in release of developmental funds to local government bodies and called for measures to strengthen the local government system to address civic issues across the province. In a statement issued here, Mr Hussain alleged that the provincial government’s lack of interest in delegating powers to local governments had complicated issues. “The provincial government is shying away from delegating powers to local government representatives. The incompetence of PTI has made the local government system completely inactive instead of strengthening and empowering it,” he said. The ANP provincial chief said that three years had passed since the local body elections were held but the local government system was still at a standstill. Calls for strengthening local bodies He pointed out that releasing development funds to only 51 PTI local body chairmen in 131 tehsils of the province was “political bribery.” “The decision of the provincial government to distribute funds unfairly is against democratic principles and the Constitution. The powers of local government representatives have been limited through amendments to the Local Government Act,” he said. Mr Hussain said that the elected local government representatives across the province were protesting for their rights and powers. He said that despite meetings with provincial government officials, their legitimate demands were not being accepted. The ANP leader said that the non-transfer of powers had caused irreparable damage to development works, service provision and governance. He assured that his party would fully support the strengthening and empowerment of the local government system. “We demand that the Local Government Act 2013 be restored in its original form. If the local government system is strengthened, the basic problems of the people will be solved on their doorstep,” he said. Mr Hussain said political parties across the province should play their role in protecting the local government system and restoring their powers. He said that his party would continue to raise its voice at every forum for the restoration of the local government system and the constitutional powers of elected representatives.