A programme for the development of political parties in Sindh province, on Saturday stressed the need to provide proper training to political workers with the purpose of fostering a more democratic culture in the country.
"Loopholes in the training of political workers should be mend with co-operation from non-governmental organisations (NGOs)," Sindh president Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) Mamnoon Hussian and provincial head of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) Abdul Karim Abid said speaking at concluding ceremony of political party development proamme Sindh, which was jointly organised by National Democratic Institute and Center for Civic Education and supported by USAID.
Country Director NID Ms. Marry Wright highlighted "deficiencies" in Pakistan's political parties. US Consul for Political Affairs Fredric Stone also addressed the ceremony.
Mamnoon Hussain, while admitting to flaws in political parties, said they were rooted in frequent military interference with politics. Political parties never had enough space to arrange proper training for the workers, he said.
However, Mamnoon urged USAID to continue supporting training programmes for political parties. The worker after getting necessary training must embark on a mission to restore democracy in the country, the PML-N leader said.
Abdul Karim Abid also requested NID and CCE to arrange more training and development programmes for political workers. He said, JUIF gave priority to its workers as well-trained workers could improve the performance of any party.
US Consul for Political Affairs Fredric Stone, addressing the ceremony as chief guest, said political parties might find it difficult to apply lessons learnt at development programme but they should bring about changes.
"Political parties though determent for their betterment face a big drawback as their leadership was outside the country," Ms. Marry Wright told PPI, speaking at the sidelines of ceremony. "They could have been much organised if the leaders were living in the country," she said.
She regretted, "outside interference" with political parties' affairs and urged government to provide them more space and freedom to campaign. "Strong political parties are essential for democracy and they should be able to raise their voices in a peaceful manner," she added.
The NID and CCE also gave awards to programme participants for their performance. Best project award was given to Roshan Ali of Pakistan People Party. M. Akbar Khan of Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Shaheen Saeed of PML-N won excellent project award and outstanding project award, respectively.