Elections are always linked to people’s welfare and positive social change, as the elected representatives are supposed to represent the aspirations and expectations of their constituents. But the civilian population of 43 cantonment boards throughout the country has been waiting for the last 16 years to elect representatives who can work for their welfare.
“A civilian cannot meet the cantonment executive officer, let alone the chairman of the cantonment, who is a brigadier-level officer,” said Aziz Ahmad Khan, president of the Citizens’ Forum.
He said the living standard of civilians in cantonment boards is deteriorating with each passing day. Residents claimed that 95 per cent of taxes are collected from civilians, but hardly five percent of the revenue is spent on improving service delivery.
“When it comes to tax collection they don’t spare anyone, not even small vendors, but when it comes to delivery of civic services, they spend money solely on localities where army officers live,” Khan said.
“While hearing a case on elections in cantonment boards, the Supreme Court declared the act of not holding local government elections an open violation of the Constitution,” said Zulfiqar Ali, a professor at a government college and a resident of Dhoke Syedan.
He cited Article 140-A of the Constitution, which states, “Each province shall, by law, establish a local government system and devolve political, administrative and financial responsibility and authority to the elected representatives of the local governments.” The resident alleged that the cantonment authorities would lose their powers to elected public representatives, which is why they are playing delaying tactics.
Education
Government schools in cantonments are either shifted or merged with other government schools in localities under tehsil municipal administrations. “Fatima Jinnah Girls High School Atta Sheikh Fazal Ilahi was shifted to Ratta Amral, while Government Shaukat Middle School Hospital Road and Pak Islamia Middle School for Girls were merged with Government Elementary Model School for Boys,” said local Pakistan Peoples Party leader Riyasat Ali. As FG schools are meant for the children of army personnel, civilians can only send their children to private schools or government schools in far-off parts of the city.
“Though a 25 per cent quota has been allocated for civilians, if you have no acquaintances in the army, you cannot get your child admitted to FG schools,” said Raja Attaullah, a resident of Tench Bhatta.
Health
Limited health facilities and the appalling condition of dispensaries present another problem. The dispensary in Dheri Hasanabad, which falls under the Chaklala Cantonment Board, has become a store room for the board’s sanitation staff. The secretary of the cantonment board is living in the house meant for the dispensary in-charge. There is neither a qualified doctor nor a nurse to treat patients.
Cantonment General Hospital (CGH) is not fully equipped. The X-ray machine has been out of order for several months, while patients mostly prefer to conduct tests either in allied hospitals or from private laboratories due to the high charges and inexperienced technicians. The medical superintendent of the hospital refused to comment on the situation.
Sanitation
Clogged drains, streets littered with solid waste and the appalling condition of roads provide further proof of the authorities’ indifference. The only playground in Dhoke Syedan was turned into a dumping ground and has yet to be cleared despite repeated orders from the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench.
Residents said each homeowner pays Rs240 per month as sanitation charges, but the sanitation staff rarely comes by to pick up garbage. Raja Salman, a resident of Misriyal Road, said the sanitation department’s sole focus is on localities where military officers are residing, such as Chaklala and Westridge.
According to an official of the Chaklala Cantonment Board Revenue Branch, the board generated Rs400 million in 2013, 90 per cent of which will be spent on posh cantonment localities.
A senior military official requesting anonymity as he is not authorised to talk to the media told The Express Tribune that that the federal government is contemplating amendments to the Cantonment Act, 1924 and the Cantonment Local Government Election Ordinance, 2002, after which elections might be announced.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2014.