Every democratic setup has three tiers of governance – central, provincial (or states) and local/municipal governments. Unfortunately in Pakistan , baring a few, most of the political parties believe in first two tiers while for the third one they prefer bureaucracy to take care. In my opinion, this third tier of municipal/city governments is far more important as it allows direct participation of general public at town/village level. This tier is directly responsible for upkeep of the cities and towns, however, our political parties prefer to run the towns and cities by unelected administrators and commissioners. By doing so, there is no love lost for the poor public, it’s a way to keep the bureaucracy under the thumb of governing political party(ies) in that province.
It’s now over three years since the previously elected local/city governments were dissolved at the end of their tenure, but no one knows when there will be elections for new municipal setup. All the provincial governments have chosen to ignore the advice from Supreme and High Courts to hold the city /municipal governments’ elections without any further delay.
All provinces, barring Sindh, have carried out legislation to abolish the local governments systems, have replaced with commissionarate system. In Sindh, both the coalition partners – PPP and MQM have held a marathon of meetings (may be more than 100 meetings) during last three years to discuss the future setup for city governments with no obvious breakthrough. Just few days back, on President Zardari’ interference, these two parties have got together to conclude the task; to agree upon a system more near to the one established during Musharraf era.
Both the PPP and MQM have been claiming to have reached on a consensus but I have reservation on this development. If we go by the history, it may be tactical move by PPP to pacify MQM and then by doing so first postpone the upcoming general elections and later get away with city governments elections as well putting up any excuse.
MQM shall be aware that none of the political parties (whether in government or in opposition) are ready to see Karachi city government being handed over to MQM, therefore, it’s up to MQM whether to be pacified with lollypops PPP would be offering, or keep struggling for the third tier governance all across the country. I see not much hope having a turnaround in our political parties thinking, therefore, should we agree with British colonial system to run the cities by commissioners. Perhaps this is the fate of a democratic Pakistan.
MASOOD KHAN
Jubail, Saudi Arabia