Local empowerment

Pakistan is progressing slowly towards a mature democracy though a parliamentary government system. Since 2008, the people have been electing their leaders and we have had an uninterrupted series of peaceful transitions of power. This is a good omen. A mature democracy demands continuity of civilian government, elections and decentralisation of powers. However, the provinces are still reluctant to address issues and empower local governments. The 18th Amendment has empowered provinces and suggested decentralisation of powers at the local level but, unfortunately, provinces have made no effort to empower local councils at the district and union level. Local councils act as a nursery for new leadership and maybe this is why our current major political parties are so reluctant to empower local governments. But doing so is just as crucial to sustainable democracy as continuity of elections. The provinces must address this issue and give more power to the local pillars of democracy.

Aijaz Ali Khuwaja

Karachi