HARIPUR: The German government will continue supporting the local government system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as it strengthens democratic governance through public participation, especially of women and peasants, in the development planning and implementation.

This was stated by Ambassador of Germany in Pakistan, Bernhard Schlagheck, while talking to elected councillors from different village councils and officials of the local government and district administration here on Friday.

He said the local government system was providing a solid base for promotion of the concept of democracy in true sense and the German government was committed to ensuring strengthening democratic governance throughgrassroots level LG system.

He said the German government through GIZ was working in targeted areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to strengthencitizens’ participation in development planning and helping thepublic institutions for coordinated development planning andpromoting inter- and intra-departmental coordination for achieving medium- and long-term development goals.

Inspects buildings of two village councils constructed with GIZ assistance in Haripur

The ambassador inspected the building of village council, Jatipind, which was constructed with the financial assistance of GIZ at a cost of Rs 6.8 million, and the building of village council, Akhun Bandi, built with a cost of Rs6 million in 2018.

The envoy appreciated that the two village councils were functioning in these buildings and the objective of engaging people in development planning at grassroots level through participatory approach had been achieved.

He also met the councillors of two village councils and listened to their views. He assured them of exploring more avenues of cooperation in future for providing help in resolution of their problems.

Earlier, Local Government and Rural Development, Haripur, assistant director Sayed Hasnain Kazmi briefed the envoy about the services that the village and tehsil councils offered to citizens.

Later, the ambassador inaugurated the women facilitation centre in the Haripur DC office where two women IT assistants would receive complaints and applications about the government departments from 9am to 5pm daily for their redressal. The German envoy said the GIZ-supported facilitation centre would help address women’s grievances without any hassle.

Deputy commissioner Mughees Sanaullah, head ofDevelopment Cooperation German Embassy, Islamabad, Ms Marion, GIZ programme head Sanjeev Kumar were also present on this occasion.

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2022