Peshawar: The first phase of the capacity development of the Information and Public Relations Department has gone underway at the Pakistan Academy for Rural Development (PARD) Peshawar. This first of its kind initiative implemented with the technical assistance of GIZ Support to Governance in Pakistan Programme is geared towards the professional skills enhancement of the Provincial and Regional Information Officers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

As per details shared by Directorate of Information and Public Relations, the capacity development of the government’s information management practitioners has been planned and designed in phase wise manner. The first training to this effect, “Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rules of Business”, will be completed this week. “The orientation of the Information Officers on the rules and procedures will improve their understanding regarding their roles and responsibilities”, said Liaqat Amin, training coordinator on behalf of the Directorate.

Earlier in the day, Secretary Information, Azmat Hanif Orakzai lauded the joint efforts of GIZ Support to Governance in Pakistan Programme and Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which enabled the smooth implementation of the training process. According to him, successful delivery of the capacity development programme would contribute towards the application of post-crisis needs assessment (PCNA) strategic and mass communications recommendations.

 “PCNA Implementation Support Unit has been established in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in order to provide institutional support to the line departments with reference to the implementation of PCNA”, the Secretary said. He went on to say, “with strategic communications being one of the nine priority sectors in PCNA, the capacity development will improve our ability to better respond to the challenges needed to overcome for sustainable peace”.

 The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rules of Business training was designed akin to a “crash course” on the principles and guidelines which regulate the civil service cadres of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Topics which were covered included introduction to constitution, civil servants act, efficiency and disciplinary rules of 1973, office management procedures, performance evaluation and annual confidential report writing, public financial management cycle and appointment, promotion, transfer and leave rules.

 During the feedback session, the trainees articulated that in the present era, communication has become a priority in the future development planning of the government. They emphasised that the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been focusing extensively on the reach and frequency of public information through setting up more radio stations, launching an in-house television channel and strengthening media relations.