PESHAWAR: Speakers at an orientation session here on Monday emphasised the critical need for strong and empowered local government system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to resolve the problems of people at their doorsteps. Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) conducted the session for the local body representatives. The session focused on clarifying their roles and responsibilities while addressing the challenges amid the current political and economic turmoil. The speakers, including KP Assembly Deputy Speaker Suriya Bibi and former local government secretary Hifzur Rehman, advocated for the timely release of funds to empower representatives in effectively serving their communities and fostering development. Orientation session held on LBs’ role, responsibilities The session was held with the support of Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, a German entity. Moonus Kayinat Zahra, project manager at CPDI, emphasised that strong local governments were fundamental to democracy. “Despite constitutional provisions, local governments in Pakistan face numerous challenges, including over-centralisation, inadequate funding, and limited citizen participation.” She said greater financial autonomy was essential for effectiveness of the local government system in the province. She called for immediate release of funds for the local body members to serve their communities. Additionally, she advocated for inclusive local governance that amplified the voices of women and marginalised groups. On the occasion, Suriya Bibi emphasised the critical need for strong and empowered local governments. She highlighted the pressing issue of delayed fund releases for local government representatives, which exacerbated financial crises and hindered their effectiveness. Ms Bibi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the local government system and ensuring timely fund disbursement. Dr Taj Muharram, a senior academician, provided an insightful overview of the historical evolution and legislative framework of local governance in Pakistan. He focused on the development of the local government system, emphasising its constitutional and legal foundations. The session aimed to clarify key concepts for elected representatives, enhancing their understanding from a political science perspective and equipping them to navigate the complexities of local governance effectively. Hifzur Rehman, former secretary of local government, conducted an informative session on the roles and responsibilities of local government representatives under the KP Local Government Act. He engaged the participants in a focused discussion about the powers and functions of local government officials, using practical examples to illustrate key concepts and enhance understanding. Himayatullah Mayar, mayor of Mardan city and president of the Local Council Association of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, spoke about the critical challenges facing local governments, particularly regarding funding and authority. He criticised the proposed rules for tehsil councils, stating they conflicted with Article 140-A of the Constitution and undermined elected representatives. He called for reforms, including restoring the LG Act of 2019, ensuring timely fund releases, and providing necessary resources for local governments in merged districts. He added that he had also urged the chief minister through a letter to intervene swiftly to establish a functional local government system, emphasising the need for equitable resource distribution and legal honoraria for elected officials. Additionally, he advocated for the establishment of tehsil offices and the nomination of local representatives to various boards to enhance governance effectiveness. The session effectively highlighted the challenges faced by local governments and garnered the commitment of the assembly deputy speaker to empower these institutions. Elected representatives emphasised the urgent need to extend the tenure of local government officials. They pointed out that following the initial two-year period, many had been unable to fulfill their responsibilities due to a lack of funding. They noted that the extension was crucial for enabling them to serve their communities effectively.