Rawalkot, Sardar Mehboob Afzal, Chairman of Union Council Rahara in Rawalkot, has publicly denounced the government’s handling of local government funding and called for significant reforms to restore authority and financial autonomy to local bodies.

According to University of Poonch Rawalakot, Chairman Afzal criticized the announcement of funds for local governments by the central government as unauthorized and inadequate. He insisted that funds should be released and powers restored under Article 90, which he argues is crucial for effective local governance. Afzal announced plans for a major protest on April 30 to demand these changes, emphasizing the need for local representatives to have a clearer understanding and control over their responsibilities and resources. He compared the current situation to entrusting a non-professional with critical tasks, highlighting the incompetence and corruption he perceives in the current system. The planned protest aims to correct the political direction after local elections and redefine the parameters of effective political engagement at the local level.