ISLAMABAD: Local body elections are the nurseries of democracy which flourish political leadership at the grass roots level. Elections are being held after the gab of 17 years but this step would indeed redress the grievances of the residents living in the cantonment areas.
These views were expressed by young, educated candidate from Chacklala cantonment ward 5, Sardar Sabir Ayaz who is contesting elections as an independent candidate. He said that people are facing dire issues like lack of safe drinking water, dilapidated roads, shortage of garbage dumping points, absence of street lights etc. He said that if a local leader would be given the responsibility to mend the petty issues of residents he would be in a better position to solve them. He said that areas of his constituency includes Gulistan colony, Fauji Foundation, Rabia Bungalows, Shadman colony, Park View colony, Roze Lane, New Lalazar Rahe Aman, COD, 502, MEO and Murree Brewery colony but in most areas people are deprived of safe drinking water and sewage issues. He was of the view that a hefty amount from monthly budget of a family living in most parts of his constituency goes to pay for water tankers. “If family of a house pays Rs 4000 to Rs 5000 to water tankers than it should be a matter of huge concern for the concerned authorities” he added.
Throwing light on another major issue he said that residents of his constituency do not have a graveyard which is one of the basic necessities. He also said that due to the non-existence of local leaders, people are facing issue of discrimination of taxes of various kinds like house of a same measurement has different taxes considering its location of the area. He said that because there was not proper representation from cantonment areas most of the issues were not redressed. “Holding elections in the cantonment areas is a great omen which would nurture local leadership” he concluded. He urged that if citizen would vote for ‘Pressure cooker’ his election symbol and he was given chance to take care of the issues of local residents he would not disappoint them.