Democracy’s missing link

After weeks-long back and forth due to deliberations, the entire polity of Pakistan reached a consensus on the 26th Amendment. It may not be considered a watershed moment in the country’s cheered history, but it certainly once again vindicates the view that when need be, things do see the light of day despite the odds.

The MQM-P has attempted to seize the moment as amendment season is in play. We have presented an amendment bill in the National Assembly that caters to what we believe is the basic problem of the country: local governments. This is where the buck stops.

At a time when the state, government and political parties feel that amendments are needed to redraw the boundaries of the state structure, it is pertinent to remember that any attempt will remain futile until an empowering mechanism of the local bodies system is put into place in the constitution.

According to our proposed amendment, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Karachi, and every city that has a population of over five million people, like in any other functional city, deserves to have a strong metropolitan city government and municipal government for a population between five lakh and one million - with the mayor being elected directly from the public.

We have also called for a financial mechanism where the federal government directly funds the local government under the NFC formula that is being exercised today between the federal and provincial governments. We have identified as many as 42 lists of subjects of the local government that should remain their sole domain.

My party is now arguing the case for robust local governments in Pakistan because we feel that in our country’s history, marked by inconsistent governance and frequent manipulation by both dictatorial and democratic regimes, this issue has never been addressed as it deserves. While military governments have traditionally used local bodies as tools for political legitimacy, democratic regimes have often viewed them as rivals, sidelining these institutions and undermining their potential for grassroots governance.

One of the primary issues with local government in Pakistan is the lack of a unified structure across provinces. Each province has developed its own model for local governance, creating inconsistencies in operation and hindering institutional development. This fragmented approach leads to confusion in roles, responsibilities, and overall functionality.

Elections for these bodies are held irregularly, often only taking place when mandated by the courts. Provincial governments have persistently resisted devolution of political, administrative, and financial authority to local governments, limiting their effectiveness and independence. These governments are dismissed and superseded at the provincial governments' discretion, further eroding their stability and authority.

Pakistan’s constitution, particularly Article 32, mandates the encouragement of local government institutions, and Article 140A requires each provincial government to establish local governance systems with devolved powers. However, the lack of specificity regarding structure, role, and authority in the constitution leaves these mandates vulnerable to provincial interference. Provincial governments often view local bodies as competitors for resources and influence, reducing their capacity to serve as effective governance tools.

The erratic nature of local government elections exacerbates these challenges. With no fixed schedule or framework, the continuity and sustainability of local governance suffer. Regular, constitutionally mandated elections are essential for maintaining democratic accountability and ensuring that local bodies remain responsive to the needs of the communities they serve. Only when local governments operate independently and consistently can they address issues such as infrastructure, health, education, and community development in a meaningful way.

Addressing these challenges requires constitutional clarity and uniformity across Pakistan’s local government framework. Provisions ensuring the consistency, continuity, and autonomy of local governments are necessary to make them viable and effective.

A revised constitutional framework should mandate specific structures and responsibilities for local bodies, ensuring that they operate uniformly across provinces while maintaining the flexibility needed to address unique regional needs. Constitutional amendments should also limit the ability of provincial governments to arbitrarily dismiss local bodies, thus promoting stability and empowering local institutions to govern effectively.

The devolution of political, administrative, and financial responsibilities to local governments is not merely a legislative requirement; it is essential for fostering a participatory and inclusive democracy. When local governments operate independently and are adequately funded, they can directly address the needs of their communities, bridging the gap between citizens and state authorities. Furthermore, a robust local governance framework empowers citizens by giving them a stake in decision-making processes, thus fostering accountability at the grassroots level.

Ensuring the stability, autonomy, and continuity of local governments is essential for effective governance in Pakistan. Constitutional reforms that standardise structures, mandate regular elections, and enforce devolution of authority are critical to making local bodies viable instruments of governance that align with the aspirations of the people.

Only by enshrining these principles in the constitution can Pakistan develop a strong, responsive, and democratic local governance system that genuinely serves its citizens.

The writer is a senior member of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).