DTCE - E-Newsletter- December 2013

Heartiest Eid Greetings to all our Muslim readers. Last issue of the newsletter contained summaries of a workshop specific to the introduction of local government in the capital and a seminar on local government policy and implementation. Updates on the social audit being conducted in Malakand Division, Meeting with PPO and Orientation Sessions on Provincial Local Government Acts were also included. This issue brings to our readers details about the need assessment survey conducted in Bannu for the IDPs of Operation Zarb-e-Azb, MPA level meetings conducted in Lahore and Peshawar for the identification of citizens demands for the implementation of Article 140-A under 18th amendment, DTCE’s latest initiative for the marginalized youth of Bahawalpur, Lodhran, Multan and Muzaffargarh districts, orientation sessions on Right to Information Act, and the recent developments in building capacity of police department by introducing an online FIR registration system, initiatives to spread computer literacy among the police officials and establishment of a women development and empowerment center.

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In this Edition

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Changing Thana (Police Station) Culture

In keeping with the vision of Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to improve Thana culture in the province, DTCE organized a series of trainings for police officials, particularly for the Moharrirs (Complaint Registrar) and Madid Moharrirs. The aim of these trainings was to improve public dealing, communication, police responsiveness and conduct of the police with general public.

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Laying Foundation to Raise Voice for Local Governments

A two-day training workshop on Local Government Acts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the project “Citizen Engagement and Accountability for an Effective Local Government System” was organized on 27-28 January 2014. The project has been funded by USAID through Citizens' Voice Project. The training will be instrumental in implementation of project activities in liaison with stakeholders at both demand and supply side of local governance.

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Voices of the Unheard: Promoting Gender Equality

The women of Malakand Division have started to constructively voice their concerns regarding public safety and government service delivery at the semi-quarterly public gatherings (Khullie Kacheries), which are convened separately for women. The objective of these gatherings is to provide a formal platform to the local populace for voicing their concerns, which are then addressed by the relevant government department.

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Peace and Stabilization through Public Safety - Baluchistan

DTCE piloted tested the Police Community Relations Program (PCRP) in the jurisdiction of one police station of seven selected districts of Baluchistan from 2011 to 2012. The results of the intervention surpassed expectations and were highly appreciated by the local community, Baluchistan police and the government. The intervention was instrumental in bridging the gap between the local populace and the police based on shared roles and responsibilities for achieving common objectives.