Stakeholders advocate local governance to combat extremism

Dr Farooq Sattar, a senior leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), has emphasized the urgent need for a genuine and participatory democratic framework in Pakistan, asserting that an empowered local government system is essential to counter rising intolerance and extremism within society.

Dr Sattar, who is also an MNA, made these remarks while speaking at a multi-stakeholder dialogue titled “Building Bridges: A Stakeholder Consultation on Tolerance and Inclusivity,” held at a local hotel in Karachi. The event was organized by the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), an Islamabad-based think tank.

The consultation brought together a diverse group of participants, including parliamentarians, political leaders, academics, civil society activists, religious scholars, journalists, and government officials, to deliberate on fostering a more inclusive and tolerant society.

In his address, Dr Sattar underscored the systemic failure to instill a sense of inclusion and ownership among the populace. “The absence of grassroots democracy has led to a growing disconnect between the people and the state,” he said. “Without devolving power through a functional and empowered local government system, efforts to promote inclusivity will remain ineffective.”

Shamim Mumtaz, a Pakistan Peoples Party leader and former provincial minister, stressed the need to form vibrant ‘arbitration councils’ at the grassroots level to help decrease growing intolerance and extremism in society.

Former MQM-P MPA Mangla Sharma said they should look into the root causes of growing intolerance and shrinking space for dialogue in the society. She said the sense of insecurity among religious minorities was on the rise in the country, and the government should take steps to address their concerns.

Parshotam Ramani, president of the Pakistan Hindu Council, said that the anti-blasphemy law was being misused against minorities by the majority to settle personal scores. He suggested that people belonging to different faiths should celebrate one another’s religious festivals to foster inclusivity.