KARACHI, Dec 29: A briefing regarding progress and future planning of Musalihat Anjuman was held at MTRI, Karachi chaired by Federal Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Justice (retd) Abdul Razak A Thahim.

Highlighting the progress made since 2005 the provincial director of the Musalihat Anjuman Project, Dr Sikandar Ali Panhwar, informed that in all the union councils of districts Dadu and Shikarpur, Musalihat Anjuman had been established and functioning.

He explained that the project had been up-scaled to 2011 by including three additional districts of Jacobabad, Mirpurkhas and Nawabshah.

The federal minister was of the view that the project in question aimed at strengthening alternate dispute resolution through Musalihat Anjuman as per the provision of Local Government Ordinance 2001 would help resolving disputes amicably.

He stressed the need for launching media campaign regarding the role of Musalihat Anjuman in settling their disputes amicably through community participation and also appreciated the support of judiciary and police in strengthening the institution of Musalihat Anjuman for out of court settlements.

He advised the district governments’ representatives to select Musleheen having the qualities of good judgment, neutral and command respect in their union councils.

The minister appreciated the technical and financial assistance of UNDP and other donor agencies in establishing the Musalihat Anjumans.—PPI