PESHAWAR: The provincial government has adopted inclusive citizen engagement guidelines to achieve the objectives of sub-national governance programme and enhance engagement of citizens in decision-making process.

According to a notification issued by the local government, elections and rural development department (LGERDD), the guidelines were prepared after an intensive consultative process with the department and all stakeholders including local council board and director general of local government.

The guidelines were circulated to all the field formations of the local government in the best interest of people. It stated that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was the first province to adopt and circulate the guidelines to their respective field formations.

The guidelines were prepared through the technical support from the accountability and inclusion work stream, sub-national governance (SNG) programme of KP.

The guidelines would serve as a framework for provincial departments as well as other stakeholders engaged in public participation for a meaningful engagement of citizens in decision-making process.

The information will also help in managing expectations and mobilising citizens to positively contribute in the success of initiatives taken by the department. It is important that the department takes all the necessary measures to proactively share information with citizens.

The notification stated that an explicit and shared understanding between local governments and citizens about their interaction could foster confidence in the success of the process.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2020