Local governance can now be implemented, but there is historical baggage such as martial law overhang and the politics of patronage, said lawyer Babar Sattar. PHOTO: AFP
A group of panellists came together to address emerging challenges of local governance at the launch of the country’s first development magazine on Friday afternoon.
At the launching ceremony of “The Development Advocate Today,” compiled by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the first edition, “A New Way Forward for Local Governance in Pakistan,” generated debate on ways to make grass-roots representation more effective.
“Today marks the beginning of what will be an ongoing discourse leading to innovative development solution,” said UNDP Country Director Marc-André Franche. “We are creating a space for dialogue that bridges the gap between policy and people’s daily lives.”
UN Assistant Secretary General and UNDP Director for Asia and the Pacific Haoliang Xu said devolution set a new direction for Pakistan as a federal, democratic and parliamentary state. “The 18th amendment has put forward an array of challenge in terms of implementation and transition management.”
Centre for Public Policy and Governance Director Saeed Shafqat stressed on the need to put civil service reform back on the agenda. “The provinces should strengthen the Provincial Public Service Commissions.”
The 18th amendment was a game changer and the role of the Election Commission and the higher judiciary in upholding the spirit of the Constitution bodes well for the credibility and continuity of local governments, he added.
“Laws need to be created to better clarify the division of power and its functions between provincial and local governments. We need autonomy to build partnerships to overcome trust deficit.”
Columnist Harris Khalique said local governments must provide religious minorities a better chance to make decisions that affect their daily lives at the grass-roots level, while also providing a nursery for future higher level political leadership. “Local elections should become a regular feature and it is important to curb clan politics at this point.”
Shedding light on women’s role in the electoral process, National Commission on the Status on Women Chairperson Khawar Mumtaz said the 2001 ordinance was significant for women’s participation, but current laws limiting their seats were a major setback. “We are back to square one.”
Women needed to mobilise to contest openly against men, she stated. “Women are ready, but political parties are not willing to give them tickets.” We need to ensure electoral rolls reflect women voters fairly and accurately, she added.
Stating political will as one of the main obstacles, lawyer Babar Sattar said that it was human nature to want to retain power. Local governance can now be implemented, but there is historical baggage such as martial law overhang and the politics of patronage.”
An Urdu translation and an online edition of the publication will also be available in upcoming weeks.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 25th, 2014.
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Development Communication is a strong catalyst for development and progress of a country. In Pakistan there is a strong requirement for involving people in the development process.