ISLAMABAD, Aug 9: Empowering people and exercising the authority through their chosen representatives is the spirit of true democracy. This was the gist of the speech delivered by National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) Chairman Daniyal Aziz at the national orientation workshop for district Nazims on alliance for community empowerment.

The workshop was organized by the National Commission for Human Development here on Monday. Addressing an audience comprising Nazims from 35 districts, Naib Nazims and District Coordination Officers, the NRB chairman said: "the local government system is here to stay and deliver quality services for the welfare of the common man at grass-roots level."

Mr Aziz appreciated the efforts of the NCHD for capacity building of district Nazims and other government departments concerned, especially in the field of education for all and primary health care extension programmes.

He rejected all rumours in the press about rolling back the local government system. Expressing his resolve and commitment in the present system, the NRB chairman said devolution of power at grass-roots level was the only way to overthrow the age-old colonial system in Pakistan.

He said the objective behind formation of the Alliance for Community Empowerment was to empower communities at grass-roots level by promoting formation of Citizen Community Boards.

Earlier, NCHD Chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf, keeping his remarks to the minimum, explained the framework of the alliance. "The NCHD is all about delivering on the ground and empowering people, community and the local government for bringing social changes to create a prosperous Pakistan," he added.

He said despite best intentions, development policies lagged behind when it came to implementation. "This happened because of lack of ownership and partnerships at the peoples level.

Under the previous systems, decision-making power among the people was not found and never welcomed," he added. Dr Ashraf said after initial success in 16 districts of the country, the department would soon extend its activities in other districts of the country.