Local Government system is the management at local level by local representatives. It is the best tool to solve grass-root level issues. According to Article 10-A of the Constitution of Pakistan (1973), the provincial government is responsible to establish local government.
Local Government System in British India: The Panchayat system was practiced by the Waderas/Zamindars in India, which continued during Mughal rule and even during British rule in India. The Wadera’s have strongholds at local level through Panchayat (arbitration) and this practice was helpful for the rulers to maintain law & order, administration, revenue collection and political recruitment. In India, the British introduced the local government in Madras, Punjab and Sindh in 1688, 1843 and 1849 respectively. After 1857, local representatives were appointed by the British bureaucracy. The elections were conducted on a restricted franchise, where only educated and wealthy people could cast their vote. Somehow, these restrictions were reduced gradually. Moreover, the British government used civil and military bureaucracy to sustain their hold over India.
Local Government System in Pakistan: Different acts were passed in 1947, 1950, 1953 and 1954, but failed. The civil-military bureaucracy was a colonial legacy, which hampered the smooth functioning of political activism and smooth transfer of power through elections.
Ayub Khan’s Basic Democracies: To maintain his stronghold, President Ayub Khan introduced Basic Democracies (1959). In basic democracy, Pakistan was divided among 80,000 basic democrats (local bodies). Referendum held in 1960, and 75,283 basic democrats approved the presidency of General Ayub Khan. It was an experiment by donor countries to educate democracy and self-government to the people at grass-root level
Four Tiers:
Union councils and town committees.
Tehsil councils, Municipal committees and Cantonment boards.
District councils, having 50% official and 50% unofficial members.
Divisional Councils, having 50% official and 50% unofficial members. Supervised by Divisional Commissioner.
Causes of Failure: Real power vested in bureaucracy and provincial government.
Pakistan People’s Party (1970-75): introduced rural local government and urban local government. But the Fall of Dhaka (1971) destroyed this local government system.
Zia ul Haq’s Sindh Ordinance – 1979:
Four Tiers:
1. Town Committee
2. Municipal Committee
3. Municipal Corporation
4. Metropolitan Corporation
Bureaucratic interference was controlled. DC (Deputy Commissioner) was controlling authority and executive head of the district. Local government was empowered with taxation, resources and administration. The Panchayat system was established to solve issues regarding women, labour, farmers and minorities.
Causes of Failure: Bureaucratic interference in elections and decision making made it difficult to run smoothly. Provincial government delayed elections and budget allocation.
Pervez Musharraf’s Local Government Ordinance, 2001:
Seven-point agenda:
Rebuilding the national confidence and morale.
Strengthening the Federation, while removing inter-provincial disharmony.
Reviving and ensuring investor confidence.
Ensuring Law and Order and dispensing speedy justice.
De-politicizing state institutions.
Devolving power to grass-root level.
Ensuring swift and across the board accountability. (NAB- National Accountability Bureau)
Pervez Musharraf Devolution Plan: National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) formulated recommendations for local government and police reforms on the advice of the then president Pervez Musharraf. Here is the devolution plan, which has 5D’s model:
D: Devolution of political power
D: Decentralisation of administrative authority
D: Deconcentration of management function
D: Distribution of resources to the districts
D: Diffusion of power-authority nexus
Three Tiers:
Union Council
Tehsil Council
District Council
Divisional tier was abolished. Deputy Commissioner (DC) was replaced with District Coordination Officer (DCO).
Nawaz Sharif’s Local Govt Act, 2013:
In Punjab: Punjab Local Government Act, 2013
In KPK: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government Act, 2013
In Punjab, the lowest tier is the union council having one chairman. All chairmen will be members of the District council. Whereas in KPK, a little change was made in the 1979 LGO.
Punjab Local Government Act, 2019: The PTI government suspended the local government and passed Punjab Local Government, 2019. Somehow, the judicial order restored the previous local government. The PLGA, 2019 provided party based direct election for the seat of Mayor, like England, Turkey and USA.
Punjab Local Government Act, 2022: The act provided that Metropolitan Corporation and Municipal Corporation will be established in Nine (9) big cities and Fourteen (14) growing cities respectively. Elections yet to be held.
Advantages of Local Government System:
Local government is a nursery for democracy
Local representatives are accountable to locals
Better understanding of local issues
Development of infrastructure and allocation of resources at local level
Generates revenue from their own resources
Job opportunities for the locals
A sense of unity among citizens to be a part of management and politics