One of the many problems that have plagued Pakistan since its inception is the lack of consistency in government policy. So, when a government changes, the new government generally throws the baby out with the bathwater i.e. they discontinue both the good and the bad policies of the previous government. The Local Bodies was a good idea of the Musharraf government for the devolution of power. It suffered from a lack of implementation and became a victim of the lackluster bureaucratic imagination in Pakistan as it just added another layer of government to an already layered system. The fact that the PM intends to hold LB election is a good sign. But it must be kept in mind that the efficiency and working of these local bodies is in need of reform to prune out excesses and overlaps with other arms of the executive. I hope the government will look into this issue before holding the election next year.
MEHAR QAZI
Lahore
