Individual Freedom Comes with Social Responsibilities
On June 12, 2010, the Multan chapter organized a seminar on “Individual Freedom”.
Professor Dr Khalid Saeed and Professor Dr Sajjid Awan,of Bahauddin Zakariya University; Mr Iqbal Hussain and Mr Waqar Aslam of Postgraduate College Multan;, Shah Wali Rajput of Seraiki National Party; Mr Farasat Ali Bhatti Advocate; Mr Azhar Baloch President LFP Multan and Mr Ashique Bhutta General Secretary LFP Multan spoke at the Seminar.
Ms Mehak Butt introduced LFP's objectives and its functioning.
Mr Baloch said that individuals in society should have the right to make their own decisions rather than be controlled by the government.
Syed Hussain said linkages between social norms and the rule of law create discipline in the society. When the State provides equal opportunities to its citizens and involves them in decision- making process, it achieves a balanced and free society.
Shah Rajput said that the Constitution gives the right of association to Pakistan’s citizens but the State in league with the monopolies of the industrialists is violating this right.
Mr Awan said that freedom comes with a lot of social responsibilities.
Dr. Khalid Saeed briefed the participants on the theory and theme of individualism. He said that freedom comes with social responsibilities to maintain a balance between liberties and social and cultural values.
Seminar was followed by a question and answer session; and ended after Mr Bhutta thanked the speakers and participants.
Topic: Local Government System & Governance
On February 13, LFP’s Multan Chapter organized a seminar on the subject of “Local Government System & Governance”. District Coordinator LFP Multan Mr. Azhar Baloch, Haji Akhtar Hussain Bhutta Ex. Deputy Mayor Metropolitan Multan, Mr. Nafees Ahmed Ansari advocate Ex. MPA, Mian Jamil Ahmed Town Nazim Mosa Town, Mehak Butt President Women councilors Forum Spoke to the seminar.
Haji Akthar Hussain Bhutta said formulation of the system was very admirable; all the stake holders involved in all process & shared their suggestion. Unfortunately Musharraf Government made some changes in the system that has changed the true spirit of local government system. Formation of supervisory committee and their functioning were not according to the law even District Mohtasib were not appointed that results without accountability system corruption in the local bodies’ institutions rises.
Mr. Nafees Ahmed Ansari said citizens and civil society have concerns on Punjab Local Government bill 2010. He added section 150, sub-section (3) states that Chairman of the Election Authority will be appointed a person who qualifies to be a high court judge. He added that “qualified to be a judge”, meant the government could appoint any lawyer of its choice as the chairman of the Election Authority. sub-section (4) of the said section of the bill, which says that a member of the “Election Authority” would be a person who is or has been in the service of Pakistan in BS-20 or above, we argue that such a person should be retired, “because a person currently being employed by the government could not be impartial”.
Citizen’s and opposition parties demands, that a person being considered to be the chairman of the “Election Authority” should have “a good reputation and parliament should scrutinize the person’s record”. About the notifications of election results, the bill said that the “Election Authority” would notify the result of every election, by-election, resignation, removal or recall of a member, nazim or naib nazim. However, thee opposition parties suggested that the “Election Authority” should transmit the results to the Election Commission (EC) and than the EC should issue and notify the results. Nafees Ahmed Ansari told that citizens should file petition against the passed bill.
Mian Jamil Ahmed said that we have firm believe that current system was very success. This system has promoted the democratic values in the citizens. LGO-2001 provides space to the all the segment of the society to participate in decision making. Citizen’s community Board provision created a sense of participatory development. Owner ship was being developed in the development project. Now amended changes will create discomfort among the government and citizens. Local representative planned so many community level projects with the local decisions.
Mehak Butt said that local government system has provided a platform to the women’s. A large number of women were involved in decision making process and empower the women through this system.
Multan Chapter Elects New Office-Bearers
On February 4, Mr. Muhammad Azhar Balouch was unanimously elected as the President, while Malik Ashiq Bhutta General Secretary and Ms. Farhat Mushtaq as the Information Secretary.
The newly elected persons, spoke on the occasion, and discussed ways to more effectively organize the Chapter locally.
