ISLAMABAD. ( Parliament Times): A multi-party seminar emphasised the need of bringing about due reforms to ensure effective Local Bodies in Azad Jammu Kashmir for tackling impending climate crises in the region.
“Climate Change is one of the key challenges confronted to Himalayan
region including Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) combating it requires
resolve, political will and capacity building of communities at grass
roots”, said senior political and local bodies’ leadership AJ&K in a
multi-party seminar cum dialogue hosted by think tank Centre for Peace,
Development and Reforms (CPDR) at a local hotel in the federal metropolison
late Thursday.
Our Special Jammu and Kashmir Correspondent Altaf Hamid Rao reports from
Islamabad that speakers continued that at present, local bodies in AJ&K were
governed through outdated local Bodies Act of 1990, which frequently comes
under heavy criticism as this falls short of meeting contemporary needs and
demands of local development. Local Bodies elections in AJ&K were held in
November-December 2022, nearly after three decades under tremendous demand
from public, civil society and strict directions of Supreme Court of AJ&K.
Sharing his input on this occasion, Raja Farooq Haider Khan, former Prime
Minister AJ&K while underscoring the significance of local bodies urged the
need for dedicated development funds for local bodies for socio-economic
development at grassroots and stressed on improving tax collection to
strengthen district and union councils financially. “The capacity building
is big challenge since the system was disrupted from last three decades, lot
is required to build capacity, update laws and streamline processes” said by
Haider. He assured local bodies leadership to take up act 1990 in the
legislative assembly forum. Speaker AJ&K assembly Chaudhary Lateef Akbar
while appreciating CPDR’s effort highlighted the need for both financial and
administrative empowerment of local bodies and extended his support to raise
this issue at proper forums. The local bodies and legislative assembly
members are complementarity serving as a useful platform for leadership
development, women inclusion and just development, said Ch. Lateef.
Dr. Shaheen Akhtar professor from National Defence University, while
shedding light on climate crises highlighted the need for generating
informed debate with local bodies’ leadership on disaster risk reduction.
“Local Bodies are immensely crucial for climate change adaptation and
mitigation since AJ&K witnessed massive flash floods and droughts in near
past” Dr. Akhtar stated.
Other than Senior Political leadership of AJ&K, this dialogue was attended
by elected District Chairmen, elected Councilors, members of civil society
and academia. District Chairman raised issues of updating AJK LB act of
1990, lack of provision of development funds, capacity building and
streamlining of process to make this system functional and effective.
Ms. Rabia women elected Councilor from district Bagh stressed on women
inclusion in decision making at local level and asked political leadership
to dedicate resource for women development. “My people elected me with great
expectations and specially women, and I don’t want to see their expectations
dashed into despair, said by Rabia. Another women councilor Ms. Kanwal Rahim
raised issue of non-functionality of this system due to lack of political
will and seriousness at all levels. “People pinned down lot of hopes and
collective resolve is needed to iron out issues of financial and
administrative empowerment to make this system more functional” she said.
Participants vouched for at least minimum allocation of funds from Annual
Development Plan (ADP) to local bodies which is crucial for exploiting
agricultural potential, tourism and skill building.
Ms. Farzana Yaqoob former Minister of Social Welfare shed light on
significance of improved local governments for better governance and
accountability. “We have tremendous opportunity to broaden the horizon of
development in AJ&K through local bodies but it requires collaboration and
cooperation from both members of legislative assembly and local bodies
leadership” said by Ms. Yaqoob.
Besides amendment in Act 1990, participants stated that local bodies can
generate revenue through local taxes collections, transport and other means
to contribute to the local development. Empowered local governments can
change the development landscape of AJ&K within a short span of time
including working on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) said by another
participant.
Local Bodies Expert from AJ&K Dr. Waqas Ali advocated for local solutions to
local problems, asserting that local bodies should play a vital role in this
regard. He emphasized the importance of inclusive decision-making processes
that involve youth and women, highlighting the effective role of local
bodies in planning and development.
The Multi-Party Dialogue served as a remarkable platform for candid and
constructive discussions regarding the challenges and opportunities
surrounding local bodies in AJ&K. Among other participants, Afraz Gardezi,
Deputy Mayor Bagh, Sardar Amjad Yousaf Senior Political leader Pakistan
Peoples Party, Saleem Bismil, retired secretary, Mr. Altaf Hussain Wani
Chairman Kashmir Institute, Abid Sidique Journlaist, Saqib Farooq Youth
leader and Elected leaders of local bodies were present.
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