LAHORE: The Department of Sociology and Gender Studies of University of Home Economics hosted a launch of the book ‘The Case of Local Governments’ by Salman Abid.
The launching ceremony was attended by Prof. Dr. Shahid Muneer, Chairperson PHEC, Prof. Dr. Faleeha Zahra Kazmi, Dr. Amjad Magsi, Batool Rajput and the author.
Addressing the students, Dr. Shahid Munir underscored the pivotal role of local governments in Balochistan, emphasizing their potential to ensure peace and development. He advocated for the devolution of power to the local level, asserting that such a system promotes community participation in decision-making processes across Pakistan. Dr. Munir expressed the belief that implementing local government systems in Balochistan could effectively address security concerns, contributing to
the region’s overall stability. Additionally, he highlighted the potential for enhancing revenue systems
in major cities through the governance model of local governments across the provinces.
Dr. Faleeha Za
hra Kazmi emphasized the administrative efficacy of local government structures in resolving citizen and rural population issues at the grassroots level.
Commending Salman Abid’s book, she noted its detailed examination of local government systems in developed countries, illustrating how such systems accelerate development work at the local level.
Salman Abid, the author, stressed the need for political parties to implement the Constitution of Pakistan, providing political representation to women. He highlighted the significance of local government systems as a solution to Pakistan’s developmental and administrative challenges.
Salman Abid reminded the attendees that major political parties had previously agreed in 2006, as part of the Charter of Democracy, to implement the local government system in Article 10, though its
effective implementation remained elusive Dr. Amjad Magsi, in his address, echoed the sentiment that centralized governance from Islamabad creates administrative challenges. He called
for immediate measures from the government after the upcoming elections to implement local governments in accordance with the Constitution, offering a solution to the burgeoning problems faced by Pakistan’s growing population.