It is difficult not be overwhelmed by Imran Khan’s passion when he is talking in hyperbole about his oncoming “tsunami”. One felt even more overwhelmed when the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman was interrupting from time to time with his characteristic capsule explanations of the points Jehangir Tareen was making while briefing senior journalists on the PTI’s proposed local government plan on Monday at a local hotel.
While deconstructing the highly complex initiative proposing empowerment of people at grassroots level, the cricketer-turned-politician kept referring to Akhtar Hamid Khan and his highly successful Orangi Pilot Project to make decentralisation sound like just a cinch.
At times he went back in history to the Moghul period to show how one can enable grassroots communities to self-govern with great success, while at others he would refer to what he understood to be a highly successful system of self governance being practiced by people living in the tribal areas.
The next minute he would refer to the most modern governance systems in Switzerland and the UK to show how his proposed idea would usher in real political reforms in the country.
He even referred to socialist China’s grassroots governance system as an ideal one to emulate. By the time Khan and Tareen finished -- the former with his interjections and the latter with his Powerpoint presentations---one felt as if one’s head had gone into topspin.
But seriously speaking, PTI’s proposal needs serious debate at the national level because it appears to be an earnest initiative aimed at improving governance.
The rural ‘tsunami’
The Rural Governance Vision proposes a village governance model envisaging an empowered village council comprising on average of seven or more councillors elected for four years, with reserved seats for women, elections on an open, free-list system, and the contestant obtaining the highest number of votes becoming the chairman.
Half the councillors, namely those who obtained the minimum votes, will retire after two years and be replaced by freshly elected ones.
Allocations include Rs500,000 per annum for each village from the public kitty to finance core functions for communal living, including chowkidars, village accountants, sanitation, emergencies and maintenance of public services.
Another Rs2 million per annum from the national exchequer would go to the average village for investment in infrastructure as per self determined priorities.
Each village will have its own cattle, vegetable and grain market to end the current exploitative government and wholesaler-controlled market regime. It is also proposed integrating overseas Pakistanis with the development of the villages of their origin.
Each village council will resolve disputes through negotiations, mediation and reconciliation backed by law. The village council chairman will serve as a Justice of Peace under the criminal procedure code, which will also enable him to summon the police for assistance.
Police station oversight committees will have one nominated councillor of each VC to be a member.
Each Village council will ensure maintenance of births, deaths and marriages, preventive healthcare, sewerage, solid waste management, water supply, and preventing encroachment. The VC will act as an intermediary to bring the formal banking services to the villages.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 11th, 2012.
COMMENTS (83)
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I must admit I yet have to read the full document. However, from what has been reported, I can see large black holes in this policy. Being in the participatory development sector for the last 12 years, I can state that this model is only successful on a small scale, with a lot of technical and financial inputs required over a very long period of time. For example, the oft quoted example is that of AKRSP, however no one is sure what would be the state of affairs if Karakoram highway was not built. I can see where Imran's rhetoric is coming from, Jehangir Tareen is actively involved with the RSPs. In any case, I wish them best of luck! I should probably write to Tareen with my detailed feedback, through not sure if that will matter :)
Negative people in pakistan will straight away say its a flopp idea and the tradational corrupt politicians of pakistan will also start objections.Imran dont worry and keep fighting for the rights of poor 70% villagers who are without education ,electricity hospitals jobs and sanitation facilities. We are with you PTI.
amazed by reporting of news desk from ETribune...... group of silly people ... cant u ppl stop ur self from gossiping while reporting some news
This is what I call vision - to empower people at the local level and giving them enough resources to do some thing for themselves. MNAs and MPAs are sitting in provincial and federal capitals and has no understanding or knowledge of issues at the local level. This can bring revolution in Pakistan. This system needs some time to flourish and refine. Nothing happen in a day and perfection is always goal.
This is a great beginning. The initial suggestions may not be a perfect system, but a healthy debate can evolve on it's basis. I think it is actually a duty of the parliament to do this work for the betterment of Pakistan. But they are all always busy in protecting their seats and power. Nothing for the poor people of Pakistan. Overall this is a great initiative and may change country's future destiny.
IMRAN and his PTI has just copied the National Solidarity Program of Afghanistan. This program which has covered most of the villages across Afghanistan revolves around the idea of community development councils and such councils which have been established at the village level are involved in the identification, design, and implemenation of development funds and project.
Is this the standard of journalism in Pakistan?
I dont think this plan will work without land reform and no political party, including PTI, has the guts to do that.
Well-done PTI....
A first step towards a real change. We must appreciate and encourage PTI.
I truly believe it is only Imran who can bring real change in the country. But the difference is that our people will again cast vote in favour of so called feudal, and these councillor will also exploit the poor and illiterate people. Formal (literacy rate) and informal (role of media) education will play crucial role in the success of this plan. We should appreciate PTI efforts.
Download the plan in PDF format PTI Rural Governance Vision - Empowering the Community (PDF)
It is commendable effort from the PTI. But as a matter of fact, this is nothing if you haven't the made sure that the Police system is beneficial to all public equally. As we know that it is currently used by the Feudals to oppress the weak and make them do whatever they want especially in villages. So this plan is nothing if you don't change the aforesaid system.
@nadeem: How many times the current government or the previous leaders have asked or shared such ideas with the public?
As for the rural governance plan: Punjab/sindh currently run a dictatorial setup which is absolutely indicative of status quo’s “jamhoori” mindset. Kudos to IK for pushing the envelope in the direction of local governance, and calling for practicing jamhooriat in its true sense.
just want to know why media totally ignoring PTI,IK
very good work by pti.We desperately needs you to save our country’s future
@Hasan Malik...U have made a comment without studying the whole plan..First read that and u'll understnd...
Where were u and ur Dharna while Oil price hike few days back !!!! huhh..bariii baatain
Excellent. Well done, proper educated discussion with all homework done, very nice. i cant believe some people still criticize him and mock his thoughts, have they not seen there leaders performance when they had a chance. of course imran khan has to select some candidates which might hold some bad record, because of our uneducated public votes which is 80%, for example a people of liyari will still give vote to ppp no matter even its a real donkey, that donkey belonging to ppp. bottom line is that if the system is properly implemented, even with those having corrupt minds will have to follow the law.
A good effort but a flawed model. He is putting the horse before the cart. The current government controlled regime give small scale peasants to sell their produce directly to the government.
With Imran Khan's model the local feudal would get an unprecedented power as he would also be head of the local Justice and as the police head would also be elected, it is likely to be his man.
@ HASAN MALIK: By equal distribution means that based on the village condition and requirement will be given there fair share so that growth prevail.
@Maryam: We are the real idiots who follow the hypocrite leaders. He needs us to recreate Pakistan and without our support he will not be able to make it. once again the leaders from few families who have the legal rights to loot, cheat, kill and destroy Pakistan will come in government and drag Pakistan to stone age.
PTI has proved itself to be a really democratic and ideal Party. LONG LIVE PTI
@JalilMalik : very well said Jalil.
Way to go Khan Sahib. I pray for your health and long life!
Don't know why ET is giving so much space to this guy? It was an event by elites in an elite hotel to talk about changing the fate of poor people of the village.......and this is just a show of...
Very well put by PTI. Good work. Need of the hour to decentralize the power.
Sounds a lot like the Panchayat Raj in India. One of the few ground breaking reforms legislated in India in the last three decades. Except that has a third of the village level seats reserved for women.
Hi,
I am quite happy to read out his policy which is clear and according to what ordinary people are requiring. Nothing is perfect, and improvements comes with time. I would like to say here that every Pakistani is with you who is desperately looking forward for a progressive Pakistan.
I wish Imran Khan a VERY BEST OF LUCK !!! You simply Rock.
it's almost same local government system introduced by pervez musharaf, what i dont undertsand is that how Imran Khan will reduce the influnence of MNAs, MPAs (chodries,waderas,bradaries,clans) in the village council when the councillors won't be elected without the support of MNAs, MPAs (chodries,waderas,bradaries,clans), for this to happen he has to break feudalism by strictly introducing land reforms, this means to take the away the lands from Makhdooms and ditribute it to peasents, will he do this? afterall he needs electibles to win election.
be like a pakistani , address their problems 'out of airconditioned 'villas'...!
Is any other party have worked so hard before comming into power. This is the real difference between PTI and other partities. This is called real revolution without bloodshed. I appeal to people, SUPPORT PTI IF YOU LOVE PAKISTAN. Otherwise be ready to live under same condition like wothout education, electricity, unemployment, high inflation etc.
The presentation forgot to mention that 1/3 of sugarcane produced from each village will go to Tareen's business ... Haha - what a joke!
Are these plans realistic and implementable ? Will the feudals allow this to happen ? Specially PPP & PML-N ?
@Hasan Malik: No village in these days has a population of 10. Even if we take a simple example of 5-10,000 it will show more development & prosperity compared to a village with a population of Hundred Thousand. In another way, this will motivate for family planning !
Reply This is first REAL admiration, by the Media, of PTI’s capabilities. However, people admire Imran Khan already, for they know, he is honest in making Pakistan as a better country to live in.
@Amman!: Dont just count the days, make sure when election day comes you vote for PTI. Than judge.
@Hasan Malik: 10 MIllion over a 5 yr period. 2 Million a year and thats average depending on village size.
The point about the tyranny of the wholesalers is spot on.
That's the reason I don't support PTI- Foolish as usual!
Why don't we ever see these same names complaining when it's a different political party in the title getting the same treatment? Though that's not a question I really need an answer to.
It is out of the box thinking..we should encourage and support him to bring it in reality.
Long live Imran khan. We desperately needs you to save our country’s future.
This conference took place in islamabad 2 days back and now ET has published this news-story. It was the first time that a political party actually came forward with a complete plan. The whole media was there and yet ET refused to cover the event on the actual date. This shows that ET and other media channel has decided to ignore PTI and Imran Khan. Sad!
on the other hand, Well done PTI. Keep it up!
@True Muslim Paki: DFC is a collection of misguided youth who are being exploited by Mullahs, who are more keen to reduce Pakistan to mud huts like Afghanistan,PTI is a party of educated youth who are looking at making the lives of Pakistanis better. There is nothing common between them.
Really Progressive
I guess, IK haters cant digest how he come up with something while their favourite heroes (Nawaz and Zardari) are no where to be found. I am sick of the cynicism displayed by them, be a proud Pakistani, and support his cause if not him. If you think you can make a better policy formulation, join his research wing on Insaf Professional Forum, and improve the cause, but criticism for the sake of criticism is so disappointing.
What will be definition of a village, given that many villages have become the suburbs of rural cities?
ahhh i am counting the days.........when PTI take the control.....and i see what they can really do....talks and talks...we have been listening from the day when we had our 1st elections in this country......its been 64yrs now.....and we are growing irregular...more chaotic....more uncivilized.....ill mannered on the name of Religion.....Politics....and what not.....
i wish u luck Imran Khan.....but please if u get the control.....atleast show some respect for what you are saying and pledging now a days
@Hasan Malik Mere studing does not make you eligible to criticize, I wish you would have understood it as well. The basic question si what is a village? how to define a village..? Accross the country a village (constituency for local government) will be made based on population. So say the benchmark would be population ranging from 5000-7000 people will constitute one village. So in places where there is less population 5-6 adjacent villages whose total populaton will fall in the range will be one constituency and where only one village has a population of 10,000 it will be divided into two constituencies. Got it my ignorant friend.
I want to question Media's credibility here. I am not a blind follower of PTI and always look at their affairs critically but this step is revolutionary in itself. If implemented properly, it would certainly create a new Pakistan where people would actually be the owner of their fate and the landlords, the industrialists and other blood sucking vampires would no longer be able to rule them such disdain and ruthlessness. Of course this plan would be required to fine tune but it is certainly a step in the right direction. After 65 years of gaining independence, at last we have truly found a leader who can transform Pakistan into that of Quaid's Pakistan and media doesn't even share or highlight this plan? Where are these channels and journalists getting their bribes from is no longer a hidden secret.
To the people against the PTI and IK in general. Think about this. Even if Imran Khan is not an ideal politician (im not implying he isnt), then compared to all the other politicians in Pakistan he is a 100 times better. If you dont want to think of PTI in a positive way, just think about them as the only people who actually deserve the vote. It boils down to this: Even if IK was bad (not saying that he is) he is still The best amongst the worst
@Hasan Malik: The proposed system is theory-heavy and imposing something like that would be a nightmare to say the least. It is too idealistic. I wonder if the practicalities were even considered by the PTI think-tank. What is to stop a village head from siphoning off the money? Who will keep a check on the funds? How will the audit be done? How will corruption at the village level be prevented? Those are not questions with easy answers.
wonder where are all those who say PTI has no policy? they disappeared after PTI's energy conference, and have now gone into hiding after this one. have they finally learnt to swallow the bitter pill and accept that they've been wrong all along? i really hope so since it will only get tougher for them from this point on...
now this idea should open for public debate to make a final document
@ Hasan Malik you have not read the complete plan all you know is through the articles posted online if you had read the complete plan you wouldn't be asking such a naive question the plan takes into account the average village size (mauza) as 2400 nationally with provincial breakups and the per village allocation to be based on that average. The actual disbursements will take into account the population of that village. Criticise but do so with some facts!!!!!
there is new term MAUZA will be formed . .total Mauzas will be 52376 . . one mauza will have an average 2400 population Each Mauza will be governed by Empowered village council comprising of 7 or more councilors . .a Mauza will be based on definante boundaries , divided into plots with survey numbers . . so there the fund will be distributed according to the population of mauza which on avg is 2400 . .
Once couldn't ask for a better plan for the nation. Its just the rural development program, i wonder what would be the plan for economy if PTI keeps their focus like this. Great to see! my vote for Imran Khan justified here!
To give people rights is an excellent idea.Media should appreciate it
Is this a news piece? The choice of words is extremely unprofessional. I am disappointed by ET News Desk.
Atleast someone is thinking. Let's hope he gets there. I will vote for him. Period.
It seems that IK is totally unaware of ground realities. He makes tall claims and after a few weeks he takes u turns after saying "its not possible". Many of his tall claims and u turns can be quoted here. I will suggest him to be practical and make claims keeping in mind the ground realities.
PTI zzindabad. Am sure PTI will win but only if both IK & DPC join forces. Both of them have same objectives.
Ik is reaching out to the real people . The point we need to appreciate here is that he wants to remove the present system of nepotism in appointments , starting of course from the village , our backbone. The MNA's were exercising an un-given authority( MNA's have no authority of any nature, outside the parliament, unless specifically given) in appointing people of their choices to garnish respect out of fear. Any idea will have some teething issues , but it is the step in the right direction.
This proposal is workable.
@Hasan Malik: My friend the model proposed is based pretty much on the local govt system with only some minor differences. But he has proposed the concept of villages becoming somewhat self contained and handling their own basic matters such as schools, dispensaries, police, markets etc etc.
@Hasan Malik: Imran Khan's idea is not flawed. It is food for thought. Yes, it might be far from perfection but gives you some base to build a structure. Something very unique and different from empty slogans like roti, kapra aur makan. I understand your concerns which are quite legitimate simply because you and I are only used to hollow rhetoric. Please appreciate a genuine effort from a man who dares not only how to dream but how to change dreams into reality.
Too good to be true, empowering Pakistan rural communities at only PKR 625bn (3% of GDP, 1/3 of todays tax collection, only 1/5 of total government spending)
Kudos to Kaptaan Khan, you give us hope for a better future
Sigh, ET - tries to report a PTI event, and as usual, can't keep itself from gossiping. Thank god, in real life, every board room presentation isn't followed by useless chatter as shared by ET above, otherwise nothing would get done!
As for the rural governance plan: Punjab/sindh currently run a dictatorial setup which is absolutely indicative of status quo's "jamhoori" mindset. Kudos to IK for pushing the envelope in the direction of local governance, and calling for practicing jamhooriat in its true sense.
The initiative has to be appreciated. It is a sincere effort to bringing about real change. If it works it will be revolutionary as people will feel more empowered and will lead to more active social participation and engagement. It might have its flaws at the moment but credit goes to PTI for taking the first step and opening it up for criticism. @ Hasan Malik; You have a valid point but consider this as the first draft. By the time it is discussed in Parliament and at different forums some of the loop holes will be ironed out. Atleast the idea of devolution down to the village level is a good one and needs to be explored seriously.
This is first REAL admiration, by the Media, of PTI's capabilities. However, people admire Imran Khan already, for they know, he is honest in making Pakistan as a better country to live in.
excellent model. pti zindabad.
I studied Imran Khan's rural plan and i was shocked that how come people are appreciating it. Imran Khan announced that he will give 10 million as a funding to every village. The point is that the population of Villages is not uniform and it is from 10s of people to thousands. So just imagine equal distribution means that the village of population like 100 will get the same funding as the village who have a population in thousands. So how come equal distribution of wealth in development is possible with Equal Funding without taking into account the population???? Imran's Plan is flawed and another example of ignorance of our high ups and elite. Also I cannot understand that why Imran Khan dont want to revise the Local government system which is already in place and just want to bring his own system to stand out.
This is the real revolution. Imran Khan has introduced the idea of a progressive Pakistan. Our electronic media didn't even give coverage to the idea which can change the lives of the millions of Pakistanis almost living in the slavery of the current system.
Refreshing to hear something practical rather than the sweeping non realistic statements about eliminating corruption in days etc. Kudos to Khan