Sindh government is committed to elected local bodies system and would immediately introduce these once the ongoing electoral rolls are finalised, said Speaker of the Sindh Assembly, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro on Tuesday.
He was speaking at the launching ceremony of the Social Audit Report of Local Governance and Public Service Delivery, jointly prepared by University of Sindh – Jamshoro, Shah Abdul Lateef Bhittai University, Khairpur and Karachi University in collaboration with UNDP and facilitated by Aurat Foundation. Sindh Assembly Speaker said review of the electoral rolls was extremely important as the previous were identified to be fraught with discrepancies with massive complaints about inclusion of bogus voters in the former rolls.
On the occasion he also assured that due stock would be taken to increase the seats of women representatives in the local bodies as their performance has been established to be quite exemplary.
Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro appreciative of the efforts put in by the researchers in the social audit report said it has re-established public demand of ownership through their elected representatives instead of administrative or bureaucratic arrangement. “I acknowledge there are lacunae and weaknesses but the elected system must not be allowed to derail as with passage of time it would gain strength and overcome its weaknesses,” said the speaker of the provincial assembly.
He, however, lamented lack of commitment, right from grassroots to top levels in the country to set right priorities and putting in efforts to improve civic conditions. “I wish the research would also had included the required formula to improve social indicators that are equally cherished by all of us,” he commented. The speaker referred to measures taken by the present government in Sindh to improve health care as well as education systems in both rural and urban centers and claimed that things have definitely improved to a great extent.
“Yes! much more is needed to be done,” he acknowledged. Khuro said equal responsibilities lied upon all stakeholders including media to play its role in promotion of nation building and civic education. “It is not only that we needed funds to improve our social indicators but also the will at every level, shunning the rampant attitude to look towards others,” said the Sindh Assembly speaker. The ceremony was also addressed by Vice Chancellor of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai University, Dr Nilofer Shaikh who sought concerted efforts to change mindset and setting right the national priorities. “All of us want our country to be a social welfare state where all citizens may live in peace and harmony,” said Dr Shaikh. Acting Vice Chancellor, Sindh University, Jamshoro, Dr Perveen Shah, Azhar Malik, Deputy Country Representative of UNDP to Pakistan, Dr Fateh Mohammad Burfat, Chairman, Social Work Department, Karachi University, Tahir Masood and others. Prof Imtiaz Ahmed of Sindh, shared key findings of the report with the audience.
