'Local governance: a missing tier of democracy in Pakistan'-3015-News

Calling local governance a missing tier of democracy in Pakistan, Parliamentarians and experts have called for introducing local government system that is ‘democratically representative’ and ensure meaningful participation of citizen.

They were discussing at a national conference on "Local Governments Legislation and Citizens Concerns" here on Thursday. The conference seeks to raise public concerns about the gaps in draft local bodies bills presented in provincial assemblies and to make them more democratic, representative and accountable.

The event was organized by leading civil society organizations working under AAWAZ Voice and Accountability Programme that seeks to ensure inclusive democratic processes and improves the state's accountability to citizens.  AAWAZ consortium partners include  Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO), Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Aurat Foundation (AF), South Asia Partnership-Pakistan (SAP-Pk) and Sungi Development Foundation.

Speaking at the occasion, Daniyal Aziz, MNA PMLN, and Former Chairman, National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) said that separation of judiciary from executive at local level is a constitutional requirement for rule of law adding that local governance is the lynchpin of democratic local government verses colonial system. Talking of bureaucratic involvement in current local bodies legislation, he expressed that executive officers must not think they will regain judicial authority by destroying the sacrifices of the lawyer’s movement. "Article 140 A of constitution ensures that powers once devolved cannot be reversed, " he went on to add.

Dr. Shahzad Waseem, Advisor to Chairman PTI and Former State Minister for Interior briefed about draft local government bill prepared by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He informed that KP bill has radical transformation as the power routes from bottom to top in new local bodies bill. He added that village councils are the basic building block of system that are empowered politically, administratively and financially.  He also shared a new dimension of 'Nano Blocks' which would be established in urban centres. Dr Waseem said that women, minorities and peasants are given increased representation in the bill. He also lamented the dysfunctional local bodies system in capital territory which is administrated by CDA and ICT marred by further divide between rural and urban where urban Islamabad goes completely un-presented at local level. He informed that village council would be made financially autonomous through allocation of development funds and attracting investments from overseas Pakistanis by adopt a village scheme.

Dr. Farooq Sattar, Deputy Convener and Parliamentary Leader, MQM said that in modern times of today, local government is not only for municipal or civic services but to become the engine of economic growth.  He also said that the local government can play an effective role in countering terrorism with the help of police and neighbourhood.

Chairing the proceedings, Khawar Mumtaz, Chairperson, National Commission on Status of Women (NCSW) presented the official position of the NCSW which is in keeping with its mandate and is based on Constitutional provisions and the experience of women’s representation in local government especially from 2001-2009.  Two Constitutional provisions, Article 32 and Article 140 A are important.  Article 32 states that: "The State shall encourage local government institutions composed of elected representatives of the areas concerned and in such institutions special representation will be given to peasants, workers, and women.  Article 140-A prescribes that: "Each province shall, by law, establish a local government system and devolve political, administrative and financial responsibility and authority to the elected representatives of the local governments.”  She also said the local government must be party based.

Earlier, Naseer Memon, Chair AAWAZ Steering Committee, and Executive Director SPO, welcomed the participants and gave in detail the objectives of the conference.  He highlighted the importance of local governance in the light of people's access to justice, resources and their right to information.  He also said that democracy is incomplete without tier of local governance. He demanded that there must be constitutional guarantee for local governance system to continue without any break, which unfortunately was the case in last few years. He also called upon clear demarcation of roles, function and powers not only between elected representatives and bureaucracy but also between provinces and different tiers of local governments.

Mr Naeem Mirza, Chief Operating Officer, Aurat Foundation, presented the critique on the Punjab Local Government Act. He said that one bad thing about the Act is that it considers the province in a sharp rural-urban divide. There should be no rural-urban divide in the application of local governments and union council with village council/peri urban settlement. He also said that an autonomous Local Government Commission needs to be established under the chairpersonship of the Chief Minister or his/her representative/minister to look after local government affairs.

Ms Naghma Imdad, from AAWAZ Programme described the focus of the AAWAZ programme and its objectives of advocacy and research.  She also said that currently the programme is being run in two provinces i.e. Punjab and NWFP, and in total in 45 districts of both the province.  He also said that there should be a minimum of 33% proportion of representation for women,10% for peasants/ labour and 5% for non-Muslims (with gender balance) through reservation of seats in all three tiers of local governments to be filled through party-based and constituency-based direct elections in a joint electorate system.

Tahira Abdullah, Human Rights Activists, said local government is not the third tier of the government but the first tier of the government.  She said that local government would help to get rid of feudal and tribal system.  She also said that local government must work to eliminate illegal jirgas and punchayats.  She said that women must be elected through direct elections modality, whether for reserved or general seats. Any district, tehsil, union council where political parties agree to ban and prevent women from contesting electing or voting must declare election null and void. She also said that all development funds to parliamentarians shall be ceased right now, as the development activities of health, construction of roads, setting of schools are the responsibility of the local government.  She also said that the police department shall be brought under control of only the local government.

Earlier, Feroza Zahra from Aurat Foundation presented a citizens charter of demand suggesting minimum 33 percent representation for women, 10 percent for peasants and 5 percent for minorities at all tiers of local government, filled through party based and constituency based direct election in joint electorate. She demanded that union council to be comprised of at least 20 members to ensure meaningful participation of citizens, along with constitutional protection, fiscal and administrative autonomy and an end to rural-urban divide.

Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director, SDPI presented concluding remarks and vote of thanks. Ms Rehana Hashmi, Executive Director Sisters Trust, gave a brief account of the struggle of women councilors in the precious local government system.  She also highlighted the pressure and problems faced by women councilors. Sajid Mansoor Qaisrani, Executive Director SUNGI Development Foundation, also gave historic perspective of the struggle for local government’s pro-people role.