Haste makes waste What's the alacrity in establishing new local bodies system?
It is pertinent to analyze the proposed local bodies system and govt plan of action.
(WebDesk/Roznama Dunya) – The Naya Pakistan government is eager to implement its plan to devolve the power to the masses through the proposed local bodies system. Prime Minister Imran Khan during his visit to Lahore directed to finalize the plan of local government bodies system in 48 hours.
Strengthening local bodies is the primary agenda of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf led government. Along with the devolution of power among masses, accountability of the representatives of people is also buzzed profoundly in the present political landscape.
Amidst the entire stir in the political discourse of establishing the new local bodies sytem in Punjab, it is pertinent to analyze the proposed local bodies system of government along with the government’s plan of action to promulgate legislation in this regard. It is also important to figure out the future of the present local bodies system.
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LAHORE: Prime Minister Imran Khan presiding a high profile meeting regarding local bodies at Chief Minister Office. Photo: Online
To ensure a strong democratic culture, all the true democratic nations guarante full freedom, power and jurisdictions to the supreme institution of democracy – Parliament, hence they show an exemplary and commendable progress and performance in all departments.
Irony is Pakistan had a history of tall claims and promises made by the political parties in their manifestos ahead of elections and usually fail to implement them in practical.
Amidst the entire stir in the political discourse of establishing the new local bodies sytem in Punjab, it is pertinent to analyze the proposed local bodies system of government along with the government’s plan of action to promulgate legislation in this regard. It is also important to figure out the future of the present local bodies system.
The article 140 A of the constitution of Pakistan ensures the financial, political and administrative autonomy of the institutions. Often in the dictatorial era of rule, instead of strengthening the parliament, these institutions are established to influence the political parties and their leadership. They are given powers even to some extent so followed by any sort of emergency, masses won’t react against the dictatorial government and the local bodies can better serve in their interests.
Strengthening local bodies and local government officials was also a major aspect of charter of democracy which remains a dream to be fulfilled. Neither Pakistan Peoples party nor Pakistan Muslim League N despite fulfilling their tenures could not hold the local bodies elections and if somewhere it occurred, they miserably failed in empowering them. Though, not to a large extent but PTI managed to make local bodies effective and even granted them 30 pc from annual developmental funds. Empowerment of the local bodies played a significant role in the success of PTI in regaining the hold of Khyber PakhtunKha.
Also Read: PM directs officials to finalize draft of new local bodies system in 48 hours
Introducing the new local bodies system in Punjab requires a lot of planning, vision and consensus. Analyzing the ground realities with regards to PM Khan’s idea of local bodies in Punjab, it is obvious that the team responsible to initiate the dialogues with the opposition, is frail and quite indolent as no meetings has even been in progress by them. On the other hand, there is also perplexity within PTI over the re-implementation of KP’s village council system or the system of district council established in the era of Gen (R) Pervaiz Musharaf or to improvise the present local body sytem. PTI ministers are confused to give to establish a single narrative and view in this regard.
Also Read: Punjab, KP agree on identical local government system
Introducing the new local bodies system in Punjab requires a lot of planning, vision and consensus. It is another significant aspect to consider that the PTI led government in amending the local bodies system while materializing their aim of devolution of power among masses neither take political parties in confidence nor even consult the civil society or the experts of local bodies governance.
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LAHORE:Prime Minister Imran Khan in a meeting with Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar and Chief Minister Punjab Sardar usman Buzdar at CM Office. Photo: Online
It is being considered that the PM Khan led government is also depending on the bureaucracy to run the affair of local bodies system. It is significant to note that the bureaucracy will not establish any practical and convenient system which empowers the local bodies.
Also Read: PM Imran Khan, time to have mercy on masses instead of bureaucrats
Establishing local bodies is a serious matter of concern which is not bound to directions and instructions. Formulation of local government requires a lot of planning and consultation. An unexplained and strange alacrity can even worsen the aim of supremacy of people. Replacing the present local bodies system with not enough and competent system would pave the ways for muddle and disarray. The new local bodies system should be enough practical, implementable and effective.
To make certain the supremacy of the system, it is necessary that a debate should be introduced in provincial legislative assembly. The workable suggestions from the opposition must be given consideration as the system is being designed for the people of Punjab not for the government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
Establishing local bodies system in the most populated and biggest province of Pakistan will impact the political, social and public interests in long run. It is being said that a democratic system resides over strengthen and effective local body system otherwise other institutions guaranteeing the democracy in a country would fail.
Establishing local bodies system in the most populated and biggest province of Pakistan will impact the political, social and public interests in long run.
The tall claims of ensuring the democracy, democratic system and Parliament are made but we are required to realize the need of local bodies established purely on the democratic values. Political analysts have a view that a hundred thousand individuals if get elected and become the part of the system through democratic means, the democracy in Pakistan would never derail.
The ball is in government’s court. PTI led government definitely needs to form a potential local bodies system which needs grave considerations and seriousness rather an unnecessary political rush. How a local bodies system can even outline in hours and without having a consensus with all the stake holders. Government needs to ensure its legal integrity as well.
Establishing a substantial and effective local bodies system in Punjab would pave the ways for PTI led government to strengthen its position in densely populated region of the Pakistan which would be a upbeat credit for chasing the next election.
Read in Urdu Roznama Dunya
Translated and edited by Mehreen Fatima
