Tuesday, May 5
Noon-1:30 ET
Panelists:
- Charles Cadwell, director, Center on International Development and Governance, Urban Institute (moderator)
- William Cartier, senior adviser, Urban Institute; chief of party, Districts That Work project, Pakistan
- Joshua T. White, research fellow, Center on Faith & International Affairs, Institute for Global Engagement; author, Pakistan’s Islamist Frontier: Islamic Politics and U.S. Policy in Pakistan’s North-West Frontier
Local governments sit at the confluence of formal and informal governance systems in Pakistan. Law and order, service delivery, and citizen interaction with the state take place in villages, towns, and cities, where families, tribes, political parties, religious organizations, and government officials share dominion.
In 2001, then-President Pervez Musharraf called for the creation of local governments better attuned to citizen preferences and adept at providing improved services. Today, this autonomy initiative is up for grabs as Pakistan’s provinces reconsider the role of local government and the nation readies for fall elections.
Be part of a lively exchange as a panel of experts explores such questions as
- Is the devolution of autonomy to local officials advancing democratic practices in Pakistan?
- How do interactions of the military, civilians, and tribal leaders influence the liberal and illiberal tendencies of groups in Pakistan?
- What are Pakistanis’ attitudes toward their local governments?
- Do citizens have more or fewer tools for demanding improved services and governance from local, provincial, and national officials?
- Where are there signs of emerging stability and where are there indicators of weakening order?
- How might the run-up and results of the fall elections affect devolution?
Resources:
- Bios (pdf)
- Pakistan map (jpg)
At the Urban Institute
2100 M Street N.W., 5th Floor, Washington, D.C.
Lunch will be provided at 11:45 a.m. The forum begins promptly at noon.
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