Grassroots gap

Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province, has been left in a perpetual state of democratic paralysis due to the continued absence of a functional local government system. Despite constitutional obligations, successive governments have deliberately stalled local body elections, using legislative overhauls as an excuse to retain centralised control. Since the dissolution of local governments in 2019, Punjab’s governance has been marked by bureaucratic inefficiencies, service delivery failures, and a widening disconnect between the state and its people. The refusal to empower municipal institutions reflects a broader political culture where democracy is only championed when it serves the interests of those in power.

Globally, robust local governments have proven to be the backbone of democratic governance, ensuring transparency, accountability, and community engagement. Pakistan, however, remains trapped in a cycle where political expediency overrides the constitutional and developmental needs of its citizens. The urgent need for a fully functional local government system in Punjab and Pakistan in general cannot be overstated. It is time to break free from the cycle of political manipulation and bureaucratic inertia.

Majid Burfat

Karachi