Punjab Govt to allocate funds for Musalihat Anjuman: Secretary
By Muhammad Ali Malik

ISLAMABAD—Punjab Government will provide full support and will allocate funds for Musalihat Anjumans (MAs) working in all the five Districts of Punjab.
This was stated by Mr. Akhlaq Ahmad Trar, Secretary Local Govt Punjab while chairing the 4th Provincial Steering Committee (PSC) meeting of GJTMAP at Lahore. He said that funds will ensure for MAs in the ADP of the next year.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Riaz Akhtar, National Project Director (NPD), Mr. Babar Hassan Bharwana, DG Local Govt. Punjab / Provincial Project Director (PPD) Punjab, Mr. Hamid Raza Afridi, National Project Manager (NPM), Mr. Shahid Aslam Mohar, Provincial Project Manager (PPM) Punjab, DCOs of all the Project Districts (except DCO Jhelum), Mr. Sajid Baloch Program Coordinator UNDP, other members of PSC, MASS partners, District Focal Persons and MA members, among others.
Shahid Aslam Mohar, PPM Punjab, gave a presentation on Project goal, its objective and it’s out put wise performance in the year 2007, with reference to Punjab Province. He also shed light on the challenges faced and success achieved.
He said that Musalihat Anjumans (MAs) have been constituted in all the Union Councils of five Project Districts in Punjab. The women representation in MAs in Punjab stands at 366 (88%). Out of the total 4,663 cases received, 3,101 cases have been amicably resolved. He said that the ownership of the Project in the Provincial and District Governments is increasing. He gave the reference of a meeting with Governor Punjab, where the latter not only appreciated the performance of the Project, also promised to extend full support of the provincial Govt. to MAs.
Similarly, institutional back up from Police and Judiciary is strengthening gradually which is going to improve the overall performance and acceptability of the Project, he said.
Both the Secretary and DG Local Govt. Punjab appreciated the work done by MAs, despite financial restraints, to lessen the agonies of the people by providing justice at their doorsteps in free fast and effective manner. They also thanked UNDP for providing support to the Project.
The secretary assured that Rs. 2000 per month will be allocated for each MA in all the UCs of the Project Districts. The Committee expressed satisfaction on the performance of Project in Punjab and urged to do more to improve efficacy and increase the awareness among masses about MAs.
The Annual Work Plan 2008 was also presented before the Committee for approval. The Committee unanimously approved the Annual work Plan 2008 for the Punjab Province.