Come together: Media, LG officials connect through forum

The forum called Connecting Local Governments and Local Media was arranged by CRSS and PEAD Foundation

KOHAT: Local government representatives and journalists participated in the first-ever media forum arranged in Kohat on Thursday. The event was held at a hotel to connect the media and local government representatives through a shared mechanism, thus enabling them to address core issues faced by communities.

The forum called Connecting Local Governments and Local Media was arranged by The Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) and Peace Education and Development (PEAD) Foundation as part of a capacity-building initiative.

“The programme will channel the energies [of LG representatives] in a positive direction, ultimately benefiting communities through better democracy,” said PEAD Foundation Project Manager Shagufta Khaliq while addressing the forum. She added PEAD Foundation, along with CRSS, has the key role of training newly elected members of local governments.

Power or not?

At least 10 journalists and 15 LG representatives including Kohat district nazim Maulana Niaz Mohammad, tehsil nazim Malik Taimur, women and minority councillors participated. Dr Matiullah Shah, a social activist and district councillor, said powers and responsibilities of elected individuals were outlined properly in the LG Act 2013 and there was no confusion over this subject.

“These are enough powers with LG representatives to pinpoint issues and take measures,” Shah told the audience.

However, Kohat nazim Maulana Niaz Mohammad severely criticised the provincial government for not giving them enough powers.

Using media

“CRSS and PEAD coming together for the training of LG representatives and connecting them to the local media is one part for the solution to community issues,” CRSS Radio Programs Producer Inamullah said.  He emphasised Pakistan had seen remarkable democratic progress over the last decade and CRSS is making efforts to strengthen democratic institutions including the local government system.

Nizamuddin, a renowned communication specialist and mentor of CRSS local government radio programmes, briefed local government representatives through slide presentations on techniques of using media to disseminate information. The second forum of this series will be arranged in Peshawar for journalists and local government representatives.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2016.