‘Local List of Powers’ be included in Constitution

Lahore: A three-day international conference on “Local Representation of Power in South Asia” has concluded at the Government College University, Lahore with a policy dialogue on the topic of “extent of devolution of powers to local level: constraints and prospects”. The speakers at the policy dialogue suggested the government to include a ‘Local List of Powers’ in the Constitution besides expanding the taxation areas of the local governments to strengthen the system.

China University of Geosciences, Wuhan Dean Public Administration Jiangfeng Li, eminent Chinese academician Dr Xiaoqing Xie former federal secretaries Shaigan Shareef Malik and Kazi Afaq Hossain, eminent academician Dr Shafqat Hussain Ch, GCU Political Science Department Chairperson Dr Khalid Manzoor Butt and Management Studies Department Director Yawar Najaf participated in the policy dialogue chaired by University of Bonn, Germany Prof Dr Katja Mielke.

The speakers believed that high literacy rate, social and economic equivalence and political awareness in masses ensured the success of local system; otherwise it resulted in nexus of criminals, businessmen and politicians. “Steps must be taken for social preparedness and political awareness of masses before introducing a local government system in a specific area,” they added.

Dr Xiaoqing Xie believed that the continuation of democracy itself ensured devolution of powers. He said that political system of a country evolved with every new election.

Addressing the concluding ceremony of the conference, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman directed the organizing committee to publish the conference proceedings as per the best international standards and forward to the abstracting agencies. He said that the proceedings conference also be forwarded the government departments concerned.  He appreciated the efforts of conference chairman, Dr Khalid Manzoor Butt, and other members for the successful holding of the conference. He lauded that the conference discussed in detail various forms of local representation of power in South Asia, their degree of success in providing public services and safety, their role in arbitration and adjudication, and issues like electoral process, administrative capacity, financial autonomy, and accountability of local governments.

The foreign participants, lauding the hospitality of GCU faculty members and students, said that the conference also came out to be great opportunity for them to understand traditions and culture of Pakistan. As many 11 foreign experts participated in three day conference besides government representatives and academicians from various universities across the country.