ISLAMABAD, Feb 2: Expressing concern over poor governance by the democratic government during the last four years, some senior politicians, legislators and representatives of civil society on Thursday said despite all challenges democracy had taken root in the country.

Former Speaker National Assembly Ilahi Bakhsh Soomro, ex-governors of Punjab and Sindh - Shahid Hamid and Moeenuddin Haider -, former information minister Javed Jabbar, former ambassador Javed Hafeez and Chairman Gallup Pakistan Dr Ijaz Shafi Gilani stressed the need for revival of local government system as a basic ingredient of people’s representation.

They were addressing a joint press conference along with the democratic assessment group.

PML-Q MNA Dr Attia Inayatullah objected to the devolution of some subjects like environment, population planning, education, etc., to provinces.

The leaders said several areas still needed smooth going for democracy like Balochistan situation, law and order, elections, human rights, media and citizenship and above all handling of the economy to put the country on road to progress.

“No elected local governments have been established as yet. Besides, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir are not fully represented in important bodies such as Council of Common Interests.

Moeenuddin Haider said good governance, the nature of relationship between the government and those governed needed to be analysed.

“The new chief election commissioner should be appointed through consensus between the government and the opposition, because it will have significant effects on democracy.”

Javed Jabbar said: “As far as civil society and popular participation are concerned, I think there is some improvement. Unfortunately, development NGOs are still dependent on overseas funding but the welfare NGOs are locally funded and have improved their work.”

Dr Ijaz Shafi Gilani said some parameters had improved during this year while some deteriorated. Democracy, he said, has moved ahead in the past four years.