QUETTA: In a significant move to strengthen grassroots democracy, the newly formed “Reforms Committee for the Local Government System” held its inaugural meeting at the Information Technology Secretary’s office on Wednesday. The committee, established on the special directives of Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, aims to revamp the province’s local governance framework.
The meeting, chaired by Convener and Secretary IT Ayaz Khan Mandokhail, brought together a diverse group of seasoned bureaucrats and elected representatives. Key figures in attendance included Secretary Local Government Abdul Rauf Baloch, former caretaker Minister retired Sheikh Muhammad-ul-Hassan, former secretaries Ghulam Ali Baloch and Dostain Khan Jamaldini, and Turbat Mayor Balakh Sher Qazi.
The session featured a comprehensive presentation detailing proposed reforms for the local government system. The presentation included an in-depth review of the current system’s institutional challenges and laid out future goals focused on enhancing transparency, improving performance, and ensuring the effective delivery of public services.
Committee members engaged in extensive deliberations on critical issues. Key discussion points included proposals to enhance the functioning of local bodies, resolve persistent problems faced by Union Councils and Municipal Committees, and ensure the fair and equitable distribution of financial resources across the province.
In a decisive step forward, the committee resolved to prepare an integrated and comprehensive action plan. This plan will focus on activating local bodies in all districts, building the capacity of public representatives, and establishing a transparent mechanism for monitoring development projects. The committee reaffirmed its commitment to designing a local government system that aligns with the provincial government’s priorities, ultimately guaranteeing public welfare and ensuring the benefits of development reach every citizen in Balochistan’s urban and rural areas.
Meanwhile in a separate move the Balochistan Assembly has passed the bill prohibiting child marriage.
The opposition protested against the bill with intense slogans and noise, however, the bill was passed comfortably by the number game.
Speaking to the media during the provincial assembly session, Chief Minister Balochistan Sarfaraz Bugti said that legislation is the constitutional right of the government, and the provincial administration has exercised that right today.
He stated that the majority of assembly members expressed their views on the presented bill and voted in its favor, which reflects the strength of the democratic process.
The Chief Minister added that protest is the democratic right of the opposition, and the government not only respects this right but also keeps the doors of dialogue and discussion open at all times.
