Pak, India set up JWG on local govt

ISLAMABAD—India and Pakistan Friday established a Joint Working Group to promote interaction between members and officials of local bodies of both countries.
The JWG will be headed by Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar from the Indian side and Chairman of National Reconstruction Bureau Daniyal Aziz from Pakistan. An agreement to this effect was signed by Meenakshi Datta Ghosh, Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Secretary of NRD Humayun Ishaque Chauhan. The signing was attended among others by Deputy High Commissioner of the Indian High Commission T C A Raghavan and Director General South Asia in Pakistan Foreign Office Jalil Abbas Gilani.During the recent interactions between the two countries India showcased the “success” of its Panchayati Raj system which with 2.4 lakh Panchayat and Nagarpalikas governed by 32 lakh elected representatives including 1.2 lakh women. On its part, Pakistan highlighted the success of the local body reforms brought in by President Pervez Musharraf which included placing the police and administration under the supervision of empowered local bodies.Ghosh said the JWG would finalise a schedule of meetings of the Joint Forum on Local Governance with the consent of the Aiyar and Aziz and ensure “full and free” dialogue between relevant stake holders and constituencies.

—Agencies