Local Govt system gets boost, locally and from abroad

[Naveed Yaseen]

By Dilshad Azeem
ISLAMABAD: The campaign for local government system has received a massive response not only from the overseas local government (LG) organisations but also from the Pakistani civil society and political parties including Pakistan People’s Party.

The Commonwealth, the United Kingdom LG Association, the Canadian LG organisations and the Pakistani civil society besides PPP, Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM), Jamaat-e-Islami, Tehrik-e-Insaaf and two factions of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) have supported the existing LGs in Pakistan.

The Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and the Local Government Association (LGA) UK have fully backed the smooth functioning of the local governments in Pakistan.

The voiced their support for the system at a convention on “Future of the Local Democracy”, held at Islamabad on Thursday. There was consensus to let the LG system function with some improvements, if desired, rather than opting for appointment of administrators. A joint declaration was issued in this regard on the conclusion of the convention.

The declaration rejects the unilateral changes being pushed by the provincial governments to satisfy the administrative lust of bureaucracy. “We, the representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), on behalf of our organisations and networks, from the Aurat Foundation, Liberal Forum Pakistan, Pattan Development Organisation, FAFEN, DTCE and the Researchers, announce the formation of Jeeway Maqami Jamhooriat Tehrieek (JMJT) and its National Executive Council.”

The CLGF Secretary General Carl Wright, in his letter to the convention, organised by Jeeway Pakistan Movement led by former NRB chairman Daniyal Aziz, said that the local democracy has a strong role to play in maintaining a stable democracy in Pakistan.

“It is my hope that there will be early elections at the local level. I also look forward to working with you to further enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of democratic local governments,” the CLGF secretary general wrote on behalf of 53 nations of Commonwealth.

Referring to his earlier letters written to the President, the Prime Minister, four provincial Chief Ministers of Pakistan urging them to adhere to the Commonwealth Aberdeen Agenda, he said the members are pleased to see the recent formation of new provincial associations in Sindh, Balochistan and NWFP.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=25170