Engaged Citizens for Improved Local Governance – Citizens Meeting with Local Government Representatives
Engaged Citizens for Improved Local Governance – Citizens Meeting with Local Government Representatives
Venue: Mirpurkhaas, Sindh
Date: 11th July 2023
Transparency International Pakistan in collaboration of Advocacy, Research, Training and Services (ARTS) Foundation organized Citizens meeting Local Government Representatives in District Mirpurkhaas. The meeting was attended by local government elected representatives including Mr. Muhammad Hajan Panhwar, Chairman – Town Municipal Committee – Mir Sher Muhammad Khan Talpur, Dr. Rukhsana Shar, Chairperson – Town Committee Hingorno Town, Mr. Dost Muhammad Khaskheli, Chairman – Union Committee 9, Advocate Rai Harejn, Town Committee – Mirwah Gorchani, Mr. Mumtaz Jhander – Union Committee 5, Advocate Mir Ubedullah Talpur, Chairman Town Committee 5, Mr. Muhammd Bux Kapri, Civil Society members, Advocate Shoukat Rahemoon, Ex-President – District Bar Association, Mr. Faisal Khanzia, President – All Private Schools Association, Mr. Muhammd Rafique Laghari – Ex-Chairman, Union Council – Kak, Dr. Abdul Wahid Khaskheli, President – Rotary Club of Mirpurkhas Central, Ms. Afsheen Iqbal, Ex-Member, Union Council and Mr. Nazeer Ahmed Panhwar, President – Mirpurkhas Press Club, The meeting was attended by participants representing private sector, academia, youth, civil society organizations and members of local community from different walks of life. Around 55 participants attended this meeting.
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.
Mr. Kashif Ali Shaikh, A. Executive Director, TI Pakistan gave an overview of Transparency International Pakistan’ work and 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.
Mr. Shahzado Malik, Executive Director, ARTS Foundation gave an overview of Sindh Local Government Act 2013, its key features and the amendments.
Local Government Representatives shared their experiences with the participants and explained the challenges they faced. They informed the participants about the difficulties in accessing funds from the Provincial Government, which often takes months and a year to be released. Additionally, they highlighted that corruption was a significant issue, as funds which are released after a prolonged struggle often fall victim to corruption, leaving only meager resources for local government representatives to address the expectations of the general public.
Mr. Muhammad Hajan Panhwar, Chairman – Town Municipal Committee also provided an overview to the citizens about the structure of the Local Government in Mirpurkhas. He explained that the Union Councils primarily rely on funds from the Provincial Government, while the Municipal Corporation can generate its own funds through market activities. Consequently, the Municipal Corporation have greater resources to address public issues more frequently.
During the discussion, the participants emphasized the most pressing problems in Mirpurkhas city. The foremost issue raised was the lack of cleanliness, followed by frequent power outages. Although power supply falls under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Government, the participants urged the local government members to advocate for improvements and work towards reducing load shedding, particularly during the summer season.
In response to the city needs identified by the participants, the local government members committed to providing a public toilet for females in the city to better serve the community. They assured the participants that this facility would be made available soon.
The interactive Q&A session provided a platform for citizens to directly engage with the LG members, allowing for the exchange of ideas, concerns, and potential solutions. It demonstrated the commitment of the local government to address the needs and issues raised by the community and for community to have their voices and aspirations reflected in local governance system.
