PESHAWAR, Dec 19: The civil society organisations have launched a programme to develop a culture of participation and accountability among the public through different activities.

The programme titled ‘Voice and accountability’ is supported by UKaid with Aurat Foundation, South Asia Partnership Pakistan, Strengthening Participatory Organisation and Sungi Development Foundation as its partners in about 41 districts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In this connection an event was held at a local hotel wherein civil society organisations were told about the need for making the programme a success.

“The programme would focus on political and social participation of women, promoting accountability so that people can hold authorities of health and education departments responsible for their negligence,” said Shabina Ayaz while giving details of the programme.

Provincial Minister for Social Welfare and Women Development Sitara Ayaz and Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain, who were present at the meeting, extended support to the programme, aimed at creating awareness and a sense of responsibility among the people as citizens of the country.

Mr Hussain termed terrorism as a major challenge for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and said that people had fought militancy bravely. He said that peace could be brought through talks but if Taliban did not want to come to the table to talk or Pakistan, Afghanistan and America were not on the same page in resolving the issue, then operation against militants was the only way to deal with them.

Senator Rahat Gul of JUI-F said that Islam didn’t differentiate between a man and woman when the word Muslim was used so both had rights. — Bureau Report