Citizens meeting with Ex- Local Govt. representatives in Shalimar Town, Lahore

June 17, 2019

A local government is the lowest tier of administration. It handles community needs like waste collection, public recreation facilities and town planning. Citizens who benefit from local government should also keep an eye on its performance and make their representatives accountable. On June 17, 2019, Transparency International Pakistan in collaboration with Social Development Initiative (SDI) conducted a meeting between citizens and their ex-local government representatives. Ch Ramazan Ali Bhatti, Chairman Union Council; Majid Mughal, Vice Chairman; Shaid Virk, Councilor; Asma Shahbaz, Lady Councilor represented the local government. While citizens including a large number of women asked critical questions about their past performance, their incomplete work and lack of administrative and tax collecting abilities. The Chairman pointed out weaknesses in the previous local government laws and replied that they were not given enough powers and funds promised to them. The LG representatives told the audience that LG representatives of entire Punjab are facing similar challenges. The allocated budget is very low and they are short of resources while the expectations of citizens are very high. Mian Shahid Nadeem from SDI gave a comparative analysis of the previous and current local government laws. He told the participants that the new law seems good on paper but it is important that it should be implemented in letter and spirit. He told that usually the provincial government is not sincere in delivering powers at the grass root level through local government. The event is covered in local newspapers.

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