Pakistan Observer
Published Date: Sep 28, 2011
EARLY LG ELECTIONS DEMANDED
Experts, politicians and civil society organizations demanded holding immediate election of local government bodies, and vowed for collective action for the revival of local government system in Pakistan.
They say that it’s the constitutional responsibility of provinces under article 32 and 140(a), to establish elected local governments and devolve political, financial and administrative responsibilities to local government representatives. They also recommended creating awareness and campaigning to ensure political mobilisation, time bound framework for LG elections, extension of LG system to all cantonments with elected heads and clear demarcation of function with provinces. This was agreed in a national roundtable consultation on “Elected Local Government: Revival and Reforms” jointly organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), SANGAT Foundation and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) here on Wednesday.
Senator Haji Adeel Ahmad said that ANP supports local bodies but oppose local government system of 2001, which violates provincial autonomy. He said that it’s very unfortunate that political parties were unable to pass Local Government Bills in provinces despite promises made to people in general elections.
He informed that LG bill, already tabled in KPK Provincial assembly, would be passed very soon. He suggested further debates on provincial level to pave the way for swift legislation and implementation. Speaking on the occasion Senator Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo said that every dictator started off with local government system while mainstream political parties tend to ignore it. While talking of resource generation he said that no district in Balochistan (except Quetta to some extent) is able to generate resource on its own. He demanded that Provincial Finance Commission Award must be implemented immediately. He also lamented that MNA’s and MPA’s are doing works which fall under the functions of local governments.