Sharana - At a UN-backed event in the southeastern province of Paktika, civil society members, rights activists and media professionals met with government officials to call for increased transparency and accountability in provincial-level planning. 

The event, organized by the offices of the Provincial Governor and the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), drew about 40 participants, who came together from various districts across the province to discuss the provincial planning for 2017.

In opening remarks, Provincial Governor Mohammad Ilyas Wahdat described the official process of planning developmental initiatives, and stressed that government must be mindful in its planning to take into account the needs of the people it is set up to serve.

“We should address public grievances appropriately and deliver quality public services to citizens in Paktika,” stressed Governor Wahdat.

Participants discussed the planning guidelines outlined by the Governor and agreed to move forward with future workshops and training programmes in the interest of keeping residents in the province apprised of all major provincial-level development activities.

The event was covered by local media, and widely televised to audiences in and around Paktika, a southeastern province that shares a border with Pakistan. Paktika, a mostly rural and sparsely populated province, is characterized by hilly terrain and seasonal river valleys.

UNAMA is mandated to support the Afghan Government and the people of Afghanistan as a political mission that provides 'good offices' among other key services. 'Good offices' are diplomatic steps UN takes publicly and in private, drawing on its independence, impartiality and integrity, to prevent international disputes from arising, escalating or spreading.

UNAMA also promotes coherent development support by the international community; assists the process of peace and reconciliation; monitors and promotes human rights and the protection of civilians in armed conflict; promotes good governance; and encourages regional cooperation.