(Exclusive Interview By Zafar Chishti)
Toba Tek Singh: Assistant Director Local Government Tehsil Kamalia Bushra Iqbal Chadhar has said that transparency, merit-based service delivery and effective implementation of government initiatives are among her key priorities, adding that the department is playing an important role in providing essential civic and administrative services to the public.
In an exclusive interview, she shared details about her professional responsibilities, educational background, the Dhee Rani mass marriage programme and the role of the Arbitration Council in resolving matrimonial disputes.
SAC: What is your name?
Bushra Chadhar: My name is Bushra Iqbal Chadhar.
SAC: Where did you receive your education?
Bushra Chadhar: I completed my Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Sargodha.
SAC: Since when have you been serving as Assistant Director Local Government in Kamalia.
Bushra Chadhar: I assumed my responsibilities at the Local Government Office Kamalia on Feb 21, 2025.
SAC: What are your main duties and responsibilities.
Bushra Chadhar: My primary responsibilities include the registration of vital events, including births, deaths, marriages and divorces along with ensuring the provision of relevant registration services and maintaining official records in accordance with government rules and regulations.
SAC: What public services are provided by the Local Government Department.
Bushra Chadhar: The department performs important administrative and public-service functions. These include monitoring and inspection activities under the Suthra Punjab programme, dengue prevention campaigns, inspection of water filtration plants and other initiatives aimed at improving public welfare and ensuring effective implementation of government policies.
SAC: What steps are being taken to arrange mass marriages for deserving couples.
Bushra Chadhar: The Punjab government’s Dhee Rani Programme is an important initiative for supporting deserving couples. The department is actively involved in the verification process to ensure that eligible applicants fulfil the prescribed criteria and that the programme benefits genuinely deserving families.
Bushra Chadhar: Under the Dhee Rani Programme, eligible couples are facilitated in accordance with the government’sSAC: What facilities are provided to couples under the mass marriage programme. approved policy. The verification process is an important part of ensuring transparency and the provision of benefits to deserving applicants.
SAC: What is the role of Local Government in cases of divorce filed by women.
Bushra Chadhar: The Local Government Department, through the Arbitration Council, deals with matrimonial and divorce-related cases in accordance with the relevant legal framework. Approximately 50 cases are received every month in Kamalia and each case is dealt with through the prescribed legal procedure.
SAC: How does the Arbitration Council facilitate reconciliation between couples.
Bushra Chadhar: The Arbitration Council provides an opportunity for both parties to resolve their differences through reconciliation. Notices and hearings are conducted in accordance with the law, giving couples an opportunity to reconsider their decisions and settle their disputes amicably. However, despite these efforts, only a small number of cases result in reconciliation.
SAC: What are your future plans to improve the performance of Local Government in Kamalia.
Bushra Chadhar: My foremost priority is to promote transparency, merit-based decision-making and efficient public service delivery. I intend to utilise my professional experience to further improve departmental performance, strengthen public confidence and ensure that citizens receive services in a fair, effective and timely manner.She emphasised that transparent administration, public facilitation and the effective implementation of government programmes remain essential for strengthening the performance of Local Government institutions.
