Local government is regarded as one of the primary institutions of democracy, for it allows people to govern themselves at the most immediate level. One will struggle to find a functioning democracy that lacks a comprehensive local government system. Unfortunately, Pakistan has failed to develop its local government institutions. The 18th Amendment was a case of one step forward, two steps back when it comes to local governments.
While it helped devolve more power to the provinces, it gave them full authority over municipal-level governance as well. Hence, local governments remain mere proxies of the provincial government in Pakistan. They lack independence and authority, making them un-inclusive and, in many cases, un-functional. We desperately lack the flexibility and responsiveness local governments provide and this deficiency will only become more acute in an increasingly fast-paced world.
Sikandar Hayat
Sargodha
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