Representatives of civil society organisations on Monday, presented a
‘Citizen’s Charter of Demand’ asking governments to legislate and hold
local bodies elections in accordance with the constitution of Pakistan.
The Charter of Demand was presented at a press conference organised by
leading civil society organisations, working under AAWAZ Voice and
Accountability Programme that seeks to ensure inclusive democratic
processes and improves the state’s accountability to citizens.

The press conference was jointly conducted by Naeem Mirza of
Aurat Foundation (AF); Naseer Memon of Strengthening Participatory
Organisation (SPO); Sajid Mansoor Qaisrani of Sungi Development
Foundation and Sadia Sharif from Sustainable Development Policy
institute (SDPI) . Speakers identified serious gaps in draft laws and
urged policy makers to revisit, revise and improve the draft bills in
larger interests of people of Pakistan. They called upon provincial
governments to fulfil their constitutional responsibilities and ensure
enhanced representation of excluded groups in political process.

They said proposed bills tabled in provincial assemblies had
restricted citizen’s participation and particularly the draft bill of
Punjab was not acceptable in current form, adding that basic principle
of representation had been violated by fixing limited number of seats
and indirect selection on reserved seats particularly for women and
minorities.

Speakers demanded at least 33 percent representation for women,
10 percent for peasants/labour and five percent for non-Muslims through
reservation of seats in all three tiers of local governments filled
through party-based and constituency-based direct elections in a joint
electorate system.

Citing Charter of Demand, the speakers asked for constitutional
protection for LG system from unlawful interference from centre or
provinces along with fiscal and administrative autonomy, suggesting to
end rural-urban divide and underlined the need for establishing
Musalihati Anjumans, community boards and other sub-structures at UC,
Tehsil and district level through principles of parity, equality and
gender-based participation. They were of the view that existing
structure of Provincial Finance Commission must be revised on indicators
like poverty, gender gap, geographic backwardness and development gap
with at least 30 percent budget must be allocated for women specific at
district level. Talking of ensuring accountability, the charter of
demand suggested establishing independent mechanisms such as provincial
commission on right to information, district ombudsman and public
accounts committees.