The better the governance the higher the welfare and economic growth
HYDERABAD: A local government system helps in building strong communities as basic services are provided to citizens by the local governments. Their aim is to improve their capacity and ability to become better administrators and is thus very important for the establishment of a democracy at grass-root level.
It is an irony that currently only the Sindh province has a working local government system. The rest are struggling either to hold elections or are trying to bring fresh amendments to their laws. Under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, provinces have the responsibility to establish local government system. However, no substantive actions have been taken by the provincial governments. Instead, they have played a negative role in delaying the local government elections.
The PTI in its manifesto states that “[they] will transform Pakistan by devolving power and decision-making to the people through empowered local government systems”. Prime Minister Imran Khan has always been a strong supporter of autonomy for local governments and has often reiterated its establishment in his interviews. Along with the federal government, the PTI leads provincial governments in Punjab, K-P and Balochistan. Yet the local government system in these three provinces is dysfunctional.
It is essential to establish and empower local government systems in all provinces to achieve the desired results. This system enables the local authorities to deliver a broad range of services.
In these days, Covid-19 has left the world in a state of anxiety and Pakistan being no exception also confronts this menace. Due to lack of an effective local government system, the administration stands exposed in delivering basic services to the needy people in the atmosphere of a lockdown. Pakistan needs a strong local government system to help citizens and businesses to communicate their grievances to the government and hold the government accountable. The better the governance the higher the welfare and economic growth.
Majid Burfat
Published in The Express Tribune, April 9th, 2020.
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