LAHORE: A province-level conference on Local Government System was conducted by an NGO in collaboration with South Asia Partnership (SAP) - Pakistan Institute for Democratic Education & Advocacy (IDEA) at a local hotel on Thursday.
The speakers said that a robust local government system is essential for efficient and effective service delivery. Local governments serve as the foundation of a democratic system, providing citizens with a direct role in decision-making processes.
Empowering local governments in Punjab aligns with the principles of representative democracy which ensured that citizens' voices are heard at the grassroots level.
Executive Director of Baidarie Sialkot Arshad Mehmood Mirza said that by decentralising administrative and decision-making powers, local authorities can respond more promptly to the unique needs of their communities, improving the overall quality of services such as education, healthcare and infrastructure.
He further added that local governments empower communities by enabling them to take charge of their own development. This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among citizens. Devolution of powers from provincial authorities to districts and subsequently to Local Government Institutions (LGIs) at the grassroots level is a crucial aspect of implementing the spirit of 18th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan.
Mirza demanded the implementation of gender quotas or affirmative action measures to ensure a minimum representation of women in local government bodies. Provide capacity-building programmes to enhance the leadership skills of women, enabling them to actively participate in decision-making processes. Encourage political parties to nominate and support women candidates for local government elections.
Salman Abid of IDEA said that the devolution promotes the inclusion of marginalised and underrepresented groups in decision-making processes. It provides opportunities for the active participation of women, minorities, and other vulnerable populations, fostering social equity. He further added that delegating powers to the local level enables quicker and more effective resolution of conflicts.
