The absence of local government in Pakistan

The local government system in Pakistan remains weak and largely ineffective, a persistent failure that has deprived citizens

By: Mehwish Ali Akbar

The local government system in Pakistan remains weak and largely ineffective, a persistent failure that has deprived citizens of their basic rights and essential public services. As the third and most vital tier of governance, local bodies are uniquely positioned to deal directly with the everyday challenges faced by ordinary people. From managing clean water supplies, sanitation, and waste collection to maintaining roads and infrastructure, these grassroots institutions are supposed to be the frontline of civic administration. Unfortunately, this crucial system has been severely neglected for many years.

Across the country, local body elections are frequently delayed or systematically blocked for purely political reasons. For instance, Punjab has been without an elected local government since December 2021. Meanwhile, in Sindh, despite the formation of local governments, many of the most critical administrative powers continue to be tightly controlled by the provincial government. While Article 140-A of the Constitution of Pakistan explicitly addresses the necessity of establishing local governments, its current wording lacks the legal teeth required to compel provincial administrations to effectively transfer administrative authority. Consequently, even when local elections do take place, these municipal bodies are left hamstrung, lacking the independent authority and necessary funds to solve local problems.

Furthermore, public infrastructure requirements vary dramatically from one region to another. The immediate challenges faced by residents in Turbat or Tando Allahyar are vastly different from the urban needs of major metropolises like Lahore and Karachi. Because of these distinct regional disparities, a centralized, one-size-fits-all administrative approach simply cannot work.

To genuinely address these disparities and strengthen governance, the state must prioritize holding regular, transparent local elections and fundamentally strengthen the framework of Article 140-A. Only by providing adequate funding and transferring real, unhindered authority to local governments can we effectively serve the public and nurture an authentic democracy at the grassroots level.