Lahore, Former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri emphasized the critical role of local governments as the nurseries of democracy at a book launching ceremony in Lahore. The event, hosted by Punjab University and its Department of Political Science, celebrated the release of Senior Analyst Salman Abid’s book, ‘A Case of Local Government.’
According to the University of the Punjab, the ceremony took place at Al Raazi Hall and featured notable attendees, including PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr. Khalid Mahmood, Executive Director of PILDAT Ahmed Bilal Mahboob, Senior Journalist Sajjad Mir, Political Analyst Dr. Asim Allah Bux, and other distinguished faculty members and students. Kasuri, in his address, highlighted the importance of local governments in enhancing the role of the common man in governance and in developing leadership from the grassroots level. He recalled his visit to China in the 1990s and noted the similarities to Karachi, emphasizing the need for effective governance to solve urbanization challenges, including water, food, employment, and security issues.
Dr. Khalid Mahmood expressed surprise over politicians’ doubts regarding local government establishments, advocating for their implementation to democratize the nation’s mindset. He suggested that student unions in universities could foster leadership development. Salman Abid’s book, as highlighted by Dr. Mahmood, comprehensively covers the local government system.
Ahmed Bilal Mahboob discussed the challenges in incorporating the common man into Pakistani politics, emphasizing political distraction and power distribution issues. He called on young students to initiate a movement for constitutional amendments mandating the establishment of local governments.
Sajjad Mir pointed out that effective local governments could mitigate the need for forming new provinces, while Dr. Asim Allah Bux commented on the suspended state of democracy in Pakistan, which has not significantly benefited the common man. He stressed the need for democratic attitudes among politicians for national development.
Prof Dr. Mumtaz Anwar Chaudhry and Prof Dr. Irum Khalid also spoke at the event, underscoring the importance of local governments in resource distribution, good governance, and promoting democratic attitudes. Salman Abid thanked the university and the event organizers, noting that universities play a vital role in strengthening the democratic system.