The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) has aired two syndicated radio programs titled “Constituency Hour” on Sunday, October 11, 2015; one each at Karachi and Sargodha as a part of its advocacy campaign for improving the standards of democratic governance at constituency level.

The program involves the respective MPs of these constituencies in the radio shows and connects their constituents with them through a dialogue on the local issues. The programs were complemented by field based research stories – radio reports – produced by the CRSS reporters with the community members in these areas.

The program in Karachi was fifth in the series with Ms. Naila Munir, MPA, RSW-155, Women Reserve Seat, Karachi as guest MP. The discussions revolved around the key issues of poor sewerage system, lack of play grounds and recreational opportunities, load shedding and cleanliness in the target constituency. The guest MPA, however believed that the Local Government System can prove extremely effective in resolving many of these issues.

The sixth Constituency Hour in Sargodha hosted Dr. Nadia Aziz, PP-34, Sargodha-VII as guest MP. The program mainly discussed the issues of poor sewerage system and clean drinking water.

Both the guest MPs expressed their firm resolve to stand up to the expectation of their respective constituents and solve the reported problems where possible.

As part of this series, the CRSS has so far aired 28 syndicated radio programs covering a wide range of local issues and governance challenges being faced by the citizens of the five selected districts. The endeavors aim to connect the constituents of the target areas with their MPs through a dialogue on their issues and ensure citizen’s active political participation as a measure of enhancing standards of democratic governance at the constituency level.

Supported by the IRI, the CRSS Constituency Hour radio campaign includes five live radio programs per month; one each in Mardan, Chardsadda, Sargodha, Bahawalpur and Karachi with the respective MPs as guests.

CRSS has thus far produced and aired more than 3,500 live/recorded radio shows on issues such as counter-radicalisation, rule of law, fundamental rights, public accountability of the MPs and the government from a broad network of radio stations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FATA, Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh.