SWABI: Speakers at a workshop here on Sunday said that it would be difficult to use the available resources for solution of people’s problems without educating them on budget tracking process and enabling them to play their role in utilisation of funds.

The workshop was organised by Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) under the European-funded project titled “Democratic local governance for development in Pakistan” jointly implemented by CPDI and Friedrich Numann Foundation (FNF).

The members of different civil society organisations and district interest groups participated in the workshop, focusing on leadership and advocacy skills, community report cards and budget tracking in the district institutions.

Say citizens should be enabled to play role in utilisation of funds

The organisers of the workshop said that under the citizen report cards (CRCs), participants learnt to monitor the efficiency of public departments and help in utilisation of funds.

The participants were informed regarding the importance of public expenditure monitoring to assess whether district budget was being spent as per plan or not. Alamgir Khan, district social welfare officer, said that such workshops enhanced awareness and understanding of the citizens, who could participate objectively in numerous activities to improve the quality of public services and concentrate on people welfare-oriented development.

Shamasul Hadi, provincial coordinator of CDPI, said that they strived to improve the leadership qualities of the leaders and improve their skills for good governance and strengthening the local government system.

Nuralallah, president of Swabi Islahi Jirga, expressed the hope that after participation in the workshop, they would be able to fulfil their obligations while working for the wellbeing and prosperity of the local community.

Samina Said, the manager of CPDI, said that educating people about budget tracking of government departments specifically health, education, water and sanitation proved productive for local people.

KILLED: A 17-year-old labourer working at a service station was electrocuted here on Sunday. He was taken to Topi civil hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.

The victim, Ziyad Khan, was a resident of Topi city. His body was handed over to his parents for burial.

In Maini, a man opened fire on his brother over a domestic dispute and injured him seriously. The injured was taken to Bacha Khan Hospital Complex Shahmansoor for treatment.

Also, an auto rickshaw driver was injured when his vehicle was collided with a roadside pole in Right Bank Colony, Tarbela Dam.

Published in Dawn, October 15th, 2017