THE Pakistan Muslim League-N and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) have agreed on a constitutional amendment for strengthening the local government system in the country. A decision in this regard in principle was reached in a meeting between leaders of the two parties in Islamabad on Wednesday where they also discussed cooperation for the upcoming general elections.
Decentralization of powers down to the grassroots is considered to be an essential feature of a federal system as this helps solve problems of the people at their doorsteps. The local government institutions directly bring socio-economic planning and developmental projects at village and street levels giving a sense of participation and ownership to the people in decision-making. However, despite the fact that the local governments are the mainstay of any country’s overall progress, we have not been able to introduce a coherent system of local governance and whatever system remained in vogue was not allowed to work. Almost all political parties claim to be firm believers in having an efficient LG system but when in power they do not provide necessary powers and resources to them and instead try to make them ineffective on different pleas and excuses. In this backdrop, the MQM(P) deserves appreciation for highlighting the role of the LG system and its understanding with the PML(N) to introduce a constitutional amendment to give necessary cover to the system augurs well for not only the democratic process but also resolution of day-to-day problems of the people. We hope that this would be done at the first available opportunity by the next parliament besides encouraging the provincial governments to devolve powers and resources to LGs in letter and spirit.
