LAHORE: (Thursday, August 3, 2023): Adviser to Punjab Chief Minister Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad said that delay in local government elections is harmful to democracy. He was addressing the opening ceremony of diploma in Local Self-Government for the second batch Punjab University Department of Political Science in collaboration with Sangat Foundation and South Asia Partnership Pakistan. On this occasion, PU VC Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood, Additional Secretary Admin Local Government and Community Development Department, Punjab Maleeha Rashid, DG Monitoring Local Government Mahmood Masood Tamanna, Director Center for Civility and Integrity Shabbir Ahmad Khan, Executive Director Sangat Zahid Islam, Chairperson Department Political Science Dr Iram Khalid, Deputy Executive Director South Asia Partnership Pakistan Irfan Mufti, Executive Director Wise Bushra Khaliq, Analyst Salman Abid, representatives of various NGOs, faculty members and students were present. In his address, Kanwar Dilshad said that the system of local governments is very old and the Election Commission and courts in Pakistan have always supported it. He said that in the upcoming elections, political parties should make the local government system a part of their manifesto. He said that the caretaker government is running on good governance and is on the same page with the Election Commission. Dr Khalid Mahmood congratulated the first batch who completed their diplomas and welcomed the newly admitted students. He said that this diploma will promote understanding of local government system and public awareness.

Dr Iram said that we don't feel that we are good citizens that's why others don't care about it. She said that the continuity of the Diploma in Local Self-Government after twenty years and the commencement of the second batch after the completion of the first batch is a pride moment. She said that she is grateful to PU and NGOs for their support for this diploma. Shabbir Ahmad Khan said that the first lesson of democracy, economic development and justice comes from the local government, for which awareness is the need of the hour. Maleeha Rashid said that research and suggestions of educational institutions lead to improvement in institutions. Mahmood Tamanna said that we have never understood the importance of local government. Bushra Khaliq said that for the improvement of the system, the involvement of women should be ensured at all levels. Salman Abid said that the local government system can play a role in overcoming the crisis of governance. Irfan Mufti said that it is very difficult to run the system of such a big country without local governments and to put it on the path of development. Zahid Islam said that the solution to the problems of the people lies in the strengthening of local government system. He said that the local government department and PU have to work together for the admission of maximum number of students in the diploma.