Citizens Meeting with Local Government Representatives

Citizens Meeting with Local Government Representatives
Date: June 09, 2023
Venue: Hotel Deewan, Chichawatni, District Sahiwal

Transparency International Pakistan, in collaboration with Sudhar Development Organization, organized a Citizens Meeting with Local Government Representatives at Hotel Deewan in Tehsil Chichawatni, District Sahiwal, Punjab. The primary objective of the meeting was to promote citizens’ engagement and community participation in the decision-making and accountability processes of local government. During the session, attendees had the opportunity to ask questions from the elected representatives and hold them accountable. The meeting also included an introduction to the Punjab Local Government Act 2022 and its key features. Local government representatives also shared the challenges they face and the work they have accomplished. A total of 43 participants, including 23 males and 20 females, attended the session.

The program commenced at 10:15 AM with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Following that, all participants introduced themselves. The majority of the participants were residents from the surrounding areas, including traders, journalists, women rights activists, local government stakeholders, and social mobilizers.

Ms. Saima Batool, President Sudhar Development Organization, welcomed the participants and local government representatives. She introduced the purpose of the session and highlighted key aspect of the Punjab Local Government Act 2022, shedding light on its significance.

Next, Mr. Ashfaque Ahmed, Project Coordinator TI Pakistan, highlighted the importance of local government. He shared that TI Pakistan is promoting social accountability at grassroot level through citizens’ meeting with local government representatives. He emphasized that the local government plays a crucial role in a democratic setup by fostering citizen participation and engagement at the grassroots level. It enables communities to have a direct say in local decision-making processes, ensuring their needs and concerns are addressed effectively. Additionally, local governments promote accountability and transparency by bringing governance closer to the people, thus enhancing democratic governance and responsiveness to local issues.