PESHAWAR, Jun 17 (APP):A multi-stakeholder consultation on `Constitutional, Administrative, Financial and Political Autonomy of Local Governments in Pakistan’ concluded with a consensus to table a joint resolution in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, demanding an effective, autonomous and sustainable local government system in the province. The participants emphasised the need to strengthen local governments through meaningful devolution of political, administrative, and financial powers, enabling elected representatives to effectively address public issues at …
Tabling of joint resolution in KP pledged for an effective, autonomous LG system
PESHAWAR, Jun 17 (APP):A multi-stakeholder consultation on `Constitutional, Administrative, Financial and Political Autonomy of Local Governments in Pakistan’ concluded with a consensus to table a joint resolution in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, demanding an effective, autonomous and sustainable local government system in the province.
The participants emphasised the need to strengthen local governments through meaningful devolution of political, administrative, and financial powers, enabling elected representatives to effectively address public issues at the grassroots level and to ensure improved governance and service delivery.
Organized by Blue Veins organization in collaboration with Awaz CDS, the consultation was attended by Members Provincial Assembly (MPAs), ex-representatives of LG system, politicians, lawyers and media persons.
Those who participated include MPA Aiman Jalil, MPA Shazia Tehmas, MPA Farzana Shireen, MPA Mehr Sultana, MPA Shahida Waheed Khan Hoti, Ex. Provincial Minister, Kashif Azam Khan, Taimur Kamal, Member Local Council Association and Intizar Khalil, Coordinator Local Council Association.
Welcoming the participants, Qamar Naseem, Programme Manager of Blue Veins, said that the demand for a strong and autonomous local government system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has evolved into a province-wide campaign due to the systematic erosion of local governments’ powers by parallel political structures dominated by provincial and national lawmakers.
He emphasized that the continued centralization of authority has weakened grassroots governance, limiting the ability of elected local representatives to effectively address community needs and deliver essential public services.
The greatest sufferers due to absence of an effective and empowered local government structure are common people, whose everyday issues remain unresolved at the grassroots level. Addressing public concerns at the local level is the very essence of local governance in a democratic system, Qamar stressed.
Speaking during the discussion, MPA Mehr Sultana said that everyone must play their part in creating awareness about the importance of a strong and autonomous local government system, which is essential for effective governance and the resolution of public issues at the grassroots level.
She also held out assurance of taking up the issue on the floor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly for bringing the issue into the notice of the concerned authorities.
Speaking on the occasion, MPA Aiman Jalil said that politicians and parliamentarians should unite on a common platform to restore the true spirit and effectiveness of the local government system in the country, particularly in the province.
She emphasized that such a collective stance is essential for the welfare of the common people, who stand to benefit from a strong, empowered, and autonomous local government system capable of addressing issues at the grassroots level.
Former Provincial Minister and Jamaat-e-Islami leader Kashif Azam said that his party has filed a writ petition in the Lahore High Court seeking the holding of local government elections in Punjab. He added that the party would soon approach the Peshawar High Court with a similar petition to press for local government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He emphasized that timely local government elections are essential for strengthening grassroots democracy and ensuring effective public service delivery.
Speaking on the occasion, Provincial Information Secretary of JUI(F), Abdul Jalil Jan stressed the need for the early conduct of local government elections in the province, saying that transferring powers from elected representatives to bureaucrats amounts to an injustice to the people.
He criticized the provincial government for weakening democratic institutions and emphasized that empowering elected local representatives is essential for addressing public issues effectively at the grassroots level.
Speaking during the consultation, Coordinator of the Local Government Association, Intizar Khalil said that the empowerment of the local government system is essential and forms an integral part of the manifestos of almost all political parties.
However, he regretted that once political parties come to power in the province, they often take steps to curtail the powers of elected local government representatives, undermining the very principles of grassroots democracy and effective local governance that they pledge to uphold.
Kaflan Khattak, Consultant on Local Government Systems with Blue Veins, delivered a detailed presentation on LG framework, highlighting the key provisions of Article 140-A of the Constitution of Pakistan.
He emphasized that the Constitution obligates provinces to establish local government systems with full political, administrative, and financial authority, enabling elected representatives to effectively address public issues at the grassroots level.
Kaflan said PTI chief Imran Khan has always advocated for an effective local bodies system, but his party leaders have rendered a progressive and formula-based LG system as ineffective by bringing legal restrictions in its operation.
Zia-ur-Reham, Chief Executive Awaz-CDS Pakistan and Spokesman for Pakistan Development Alliance (PDA), a national coalition of more than 100 civil society organizations, informed participants that PDA recently released a White Paper on Local Governance system in KP, uncovering a deep institutional contradiction in the system.
The provincial government must hold local government elections without delay to fill the vacuum in governance. Similarly, all funds allocated for districts via the PFC must be transferred to a discretionary budget controlled by elected Tehsil councils, he added.
Zia urged KP government to expedite delimitation of local government constituencies, paving the way for the early conduct of elections in the province.
