KARACHI, June 20: Speakers at a workshop titled ‘Gender Justice through Masalehat Anjumans’ laid stress on strengthening mediatory committees at the UC level so that they could play an effective role in resolving differences and disputes of minor nature between and within communities.

The three-day workshop, held at the Municipal Training and Research Institute (MTRI) concluded here on Wednesday. Mir Naseer Khan Khoso, Adviser to the Sindh Chief Minister, was the chief guest.

The workshop was attended by members of the Insaaf Committees, Masalehat Anjumans, naizms and naib nazims of various union councils, women councillors and representatives of many NGOs. Prominent among those who spoke were Mohammad Afzal Arain, Dr Sikandar Panhwar, Mrs Riaz Fatima, Prof Sajida Saleem and Mr Allauddin Mashori.

Various issues and problems being faced by people in the urban and rural areas of the province and often leading to litigation were discussed at length. They observed that litigation would always end up in waste of time, money and energy, besides causing hatred among the parties involved.

Highlighting the importance of mediation bodies in helping such parties avoid litigation, they suggested that members of such committees or anjumans be given proper training on how to narrow down differences between two parties in order to prevent such things from turning into disputes and ultimately sending them to courts.

The participants discussed a host of cases involving property disputes, family feuds, etc, and gave suggestions for resolving such problems effectively at the UC level.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Khoso stressed the sustainable development at the grassroots level through the strategy of devolution of powers. He said that training to elected representatives and functionaries of the local government system was a must to attain success of the new system and ensure public welfare both in the rural and urban areas.