Punjab government would allocate funds for Musalihat Anjumans (MAs) working in all five districts of the province. This was stated by Secretary Local Government Punjab, Akhlaq Ahmad Trar while chairing the 4th Provincial Steering Committee (PSC) meeting of Gender Justice Through Musalihat Anjuman Project (GJTMAP) in Lahore.
He said that funds would ensure for Musalihat Anjumans in the ADP of the next year, said a message received here Saturday. Shahid Aslam Mohar, PPM Punjab, gave a presentation on project goal, its objective and it's output wise performance in the year 2007, with reference to Punjab.
While discussing challenges and success achieved by MAs, he said that Musalihat Anjumans (MAs) have been constituted in all the union councils of five project districts in the province. The women representation in Musalihat Anjumans in Punjab stands at 366 (88pc). Out of the total 4,663 cases received, 3,101 cases have been amicably resolved.
He said that ownership of the project in the provincial and district governments is increasing. He gave the reference of a meeting with Governor Punjab, where the later not only appreciated the performance of the project, also promised to extend full support of the provincial government to MAs.
Similarly, institutional back up from police and judiciary was strengthening gradually, which would improve the overall performance and acceptability of the project, he said.
Both the secretary and DG Local Government Punjab appreciated the work done by MAs, despite financial restraints, to lessen the agonies of the people by providing justice at their doorsteps in effective manner.
They also thanked UNDP for providing support to the project. The secretary assured that Rs 2000 per month will be allocated for each MA in all the UCs of the project districts. The committee expressed satisfaction on the performance of project in Punjab and urged to improve efficacy and increase the awareness among masses about MAs.
The Annual Work Plan 2008 was also presented before the Committee for approval. The Committee unanimously approved the Annual work Plan 2008 for the Punjab Province.
The meeting was attended by Riaz Akhtar, National Project Director (NPD), Babar Hassan Bharwana, DG Local Govt. Punjab / Provincial Project Director (PPD) Punjab, Hamid Raza Afridi, National Project Manager (NPM), Shahid Aslam Mohar, Provincial Project Manager (PPM) Punjab, DCOs of all the Project Districts (except DCO Jhelum), District Focal Persons and MA members, among others.