PESHAWAR, Dec 20: The National Democratic Institute conducted its first workshop for political parties in Mansehra district under the third phase of its capacity building programme.

About 40 workers of six major political parties, Pakistan Muslim League, Pakistan People’s Party, Pakistan Muslim League (N), Jamaat-i-Islami, Pakistan People’s Party (Sherpao) and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, attended the workshop.

The programme is supported by the British government’s Department for International Development (DFID). The training was conducted by political management expert Jami Chandio.

The sessions covered basic concepts of democracy, local government, party organization, effective planning for party branches, campaign, outreach, constituency development, membership development, platforms and other aspects of effective working of political parties at the local level.

The trainees agreed on the need to strengthen local party branches for effective working of parties as well as addressing concerns of citizens. They were of the view that effective functioning of local party branches was imperative for long-term engagement of parties with the people and for a successful democracy.

The NDI’s programme is aimed at enhancing the capacity of political parties and helping them become more responsive and representative of their constituencies.