PESHAWAR: The city district government of Peshawar on Wednesday inked a memorandum of understanding with Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) and U-Elect to install information, communication and technology tools at its offices to move smartly for local development and facilitation of people.

Both the organisations signed a memorandum of understanding with the district nazim to facilitate the district government in website development, online procurement process, recruitment process, citizens’ feedback mechanism, local government connect and sharing of day to day information with people through website.

Under the MoU, a two-day training of local government officials was already arranged at the nazim office on August 30 and 31. A focal person would facilitate the nazim office for three months to update the day to day data on website.

The official website of Peshawar is under construction and would formally be launched in September.

Syed Kausar Abbas, executive director of SSDO and Shaan Mohammad Khan, chairman of U-Elect, while conducting training workshop of local government staff here at nazim office said that ICT tools were the best way to eliminate corruption and ensure transparency at public offices.

District nazim Asim Khan said that all public-related data and procurement and tender process would be uploaded on the website to ensure transparency and merit.

GLOBAL NETWORK: Peshawar city has become member of a UK-based global network of municipal leaders, local government practitioners and local communities in building community resilience and social cohesion to counter violent extremism.

The Strong Cities’ Network (SCN) has also invited Peshawar naizm Asim Khan to join refugees and IDPs-related working group.

The representative of city district government said that the nazim was committed to strengthening global relations with different networks and alliances. Several other networks have also approached by the district government and they have shown interest in inviting the city to join them.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2016