‘New LG law to bring prosperity’

LAHORE: Speakers in a seminar held here Monday at the Government College University (GCU) said that the Punjab Local Government Act, 2019, would help in bringing economic prosperity in the province through efficient self-governance and equal distribution of resources.

Addressing the seminar organised by the GCU’s Quaid-e-Azam Political Science Society, eminent economist Nadeem-ul-Haq said local government was a key to development. However, he said, the Act was one thing but practically forming a strong and autonomous local government was still a big challenge for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.

Nadeem-ul-Haq said he supported LG’s financial autonomy but they should not be allowed borrowing from foreign or national funds. He suggested that the maximum tenure for the local government should be two years only. Punjab Local Government Additional Secretary Shahid Zaman and Bilal Rao, a member of the Prime Minister's Local Government Task Force, briefed the students and faculty members about the different features of the Act and responded to their queries and concerns. They said it was the first time that funding had been ensured in the law to the local governments. Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah addressed the seminar and stressed a need for debate on different political and social issues in academic institutions.