New system for local bodies in the making, conference informed

LG minister says draft of reforms will be prepared after developing consensus with all stakeholders

QUETTA: Balochistan Senior Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Muhammad Saleh Bhootani has said a draft of reforms for introducing a new system of local bodies will be prepared after developing consensus with all stakeholders.

“It is not necessary to adopt the changes other provinces are suggesting for their local bodies system,” said Bhootani while addressing a consultative conference the other day. The conference was organised by the local government department to discuss the new changes in the local bodies system.



Provincial ministers Abdul Rehman Kethran, Muhammad Khan Lehri, MPAs Sanaullah Baloch, Ahmed Nawaz Baloch, Muhammad Asghar Khan, Additional Chief Secretary Planning and Development Sajjad Ahmed Bhutta and Local Government Secretary Kambar Dashti were present.

The participants of the conference, including representatives of local bodies, government officials and members of civil society, suggested that local bodies institutions should be given more financial powers, be allowed to work independently, and mayor and chairman of the local councils should be elected through direct elections.

The local bodies’ representatives suggested that the changes in the existing local bodies system should be made in view of local traditions and values for smooth running of these institutions in Balochistan.

Addressing the ceremony, Bhootani said, “This time Balochistan will bring in such a local bodies system in which traditional brotherhood and friendly environment remain intact.”

As suggested by the participants, he said, a committee would be formed to review and discuss all suggestions for the preparation of the final draft of the reforms in order to improve the existing local bodies system in the province.

“Before presenting the final draft, more consultation conferences will be held to make the draft acceptable for everybody,” said the LG minister. “The system will be based on ground realities and will have the ability to resolve the problems the people of far-flung areas of the province are facing.”



He agreed with the suggestions of the participants that more municipal corporations be established in line with the increased population.

“When local bodies get more financial and administrative powers, they need more funds as well. I will try to get more funds approved for the local bodies,” Bhootani assured the participants of the conference.

He said very soon another conference of all mayors, chairmen and other heads of local bodies would be convened to further discuss the preparation of the reforms draft.

Bhootani thanked the participants but regretted that other ministers, MPAs and people who were invited to the conference did not grace the occasion with their presence.