BAHAWALPUR: A seminar on Governance, Decentralization and Democracy in Digital Age was organized by Department of Political Science, School of State Sciences the Islamia University of Bahawalpur. Prof. Dr. Syed Mussawar Hussain Bukhari Chairman Department of Political Science welcomed all the distinguished guests with his faculty members. The faculty members of the political science and gender studies department joined this session along with students of the department of political science. Dr. Ahsan Riaz Assistant professor, department of political science was the moderator of this session. Dr. Zaheer Hussain Associate Professor Directorate of IR SALU Khair Pur Sindh participated as Chief Guest. The event gathered experts, policymakers, and academicians from various universities to delve into the challenges and opportunities presented by the intersection of governance, decentralization, and technology. Prof. Dr. Ameer Ahmed Khuro, Director Institute of IR, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khair PurSindh, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali, Department of Political Science, University of Karachi, Dr Ali Shan Shah, Chairman Department of Political Science GCU Faisalabad, Dr. Abdul Basit Khan, Assistant professor, department of political science GCU Faisalabad joined this seminar as guest speakers. They explored andd iscussed the themes of the integration of technology in government processes to enhance efficiency, transparency, and service delivery. Insights into the adoption of e-governance tools, artificial intelligence, and data analytics for informed decision-making. Exploration of decentralized governance models and their role in fostering local participation and empowerment. Case studies highlighting successful decentralization initiatives from various regions. Identification of challenges posed by digitalization, including issues related to privacy, cyber security, and data governance. Deliberation on ethical considerations in the use of emerging technologies in governance. Examination of the impact of social media and online platforms on political discourse and citizen engagement. Analysis of the role of digital tools in promoting or hindering democratic values. Recognition of the need for adaptable governance structures that can harness the benefits of technology while addressing associated challenges. Emphasis on the importance of inclusivity and citizen engagement in the digital age, with a focus on bridging the digital divide. Acknowledgment of the ethical responsibilities in deploying digital solutions for governance, ensuring privacy, and safeguarding against potential abuses. They recommended the Advocacy for policies that promote digital literacy and ensure equitable access to technology to bridge the digital divide. Encourage the development and implementation of robust cyber security measures to safeguard digitalized governance systems. Foster collaboration between governments, academia, and the private sector to drive innovation in governance practices. The seminar on Governance, Decentralization, and Democracy in the Digital Age served as a platform for thought-provoking discussions and knowledge exchange. As societies continue to navigate the complexities of the digital era, the insights gained from this seminar contribute to the on going dialogue on shaping governance systems that are responsive, inclusive, and ethically grounded in the digital age. At the end, Prof. Dr. Syed Mussawar Hussain Bukhari Chairman Department of Political Science paid a vote of thanks to all the students, faculty members, and distinguished guests who joined this session. He said that this seminar on Governance, Decentralization, and democracy in the digital age provided a comprehensive exploration of the evolving dynamics in governance structures, Decentralization strategies, and the impact of Decentralization on democratic processes. He said that we are not masses now it’s the need of time that we should be given the right of citizenship as a basic human right. Prof. Dr. Syed Mussawar Hussain Bukhari Chairman Department of Political Science presented souvenirs to the guests peakers along with his faculty members, Dr. Zaheer Hussain Associate professor directorate of IR SALU khairpur Sindh and Dr. Muhammad Ikram Ullah Khan Assistant Professor Department of Pakistan Studies.
