In the rest of the world, a law’s formation ends the debate.
In Pakistan, it initiates one.
18th amendment seems to have made coups unlikely as power was now decentralised – making it arduous for the military to control. It is, however, preposterous that local governments only flourished during military dictatorships. It wasn’t that dictators were democratic –it was that this was the only way for a dictator to make his government look more democratic-ish and prolong his rule. However, democratic governments seem bit reluctant to transfer powers to the local bodies as it will weaken the centre as accountability matrix is weak at local level. In the rest of the world, a law’s formation ends the debate. In Pakistan, it initiates one. Arguably, the democracy is not mature enough process wise to trickle down to the bottom. It will take at least 2 democratic transitions to get there. It will never look far-fetched if democracy is not sham in nature – strings tied to a wrong stick. However, slow and steady, if given chance, democracy will keep cleansing itself.
Pakistan will have to pivot its authoritative medial approach – thereby letting go some of the control – giving rise to a more structured multiple units’ model of power, with more structured process of accountability in place.
Decentralisation is actually the secret sauce for those who want to understand economic reforms. Economy thrives on competition and decentralisation ensures it. Decentralisation is a systemic change in governance institutions which can improve the efficiency of the delivery of public services and can also help in promoting democracy. However, even if efficient, since decentralisation also redistributes political power and influence, it is unlikely to be unanimously supported unless a complex system of competition and compensation is simultaneously introduced.
Without decentralisation, the debate around having additional provinces is becoming more and more pertinent day by day. The model of governance followed by every government is restricted to development in big cities that too is managed through a bureaucratic setup, not through a local government setup. Punjab government’s focus is on primarily Lahore with two, three infrastructure related projects in Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Multan. The voice behind new provinces gains legitimacy because of mismanagement and lack of effective planning – not working on feasibilities and not differentiating between what is a ‘must have’ and what is a ‘nice to have’. Faisalabad and Multan, the two cities from where the influx of people is high, lack technology universities and local start-up infrastructure that can create jobs for people.
Lahore is currently home to 12 million people. Karachi with 18 million people is taking the lead. Since many folks tend to move out from smaller cities, in search of a good job and better facilities, these numbers will continue to rise as the core problem is not being addressed. Providing tech varsities, jobs, basic facilities are the few things to begin with.
The inundation to big cities carries own set of problems with itself – issues like traffic jams, security lapses, inadequate healthcare, and housing shortage to name a few. Whilst the world is considering options around how to make cities smarter, Pakistan is not even eradicating the threat of big cities. Leaders around the world are considering leveraging technology in order to solve people’s issues and taking toddler steps to make smart economies. Dubai is aiming to put all the govt. documents on a blockchain by 2020. The blockchain will knock out the need for centralised institutions like banks or governments to facilitate trade, evolving age-old models of commerce and finance into a distributed, transparent, autonomous system for exchanging value without uncertainty. Technology will certainly bring more decentralisation to the way of doing governance but quick adoption is the key to free the system from the drudgery.
It is being claimed that Pakistan will become the next digital corridor with the help of China under the China – Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC). With great talent and exceptional resources, Pakistan indeed has the potential to become the preferred choice of outsourcing of technological, business and consulting ministrations. But it will never happen without the right policies and implementation apparatus.
First, solid legal and policy framework formulation require governments, media, INGO and local NGO to convene and contribute for the structuring, monitoring, and accountability of democratic practices already in place. This will also involve advocacy and campaigning to create organic debate to implement parallel units of power.
Second, ensure that the decentralisation policy is flexible in embracing change whenever needed. Right now, the bureaucratic setup enjoys the relaxed and laid back attitude towards embracing new methods and practices, thus creating inertia. Keeping an eye on the futurist trends leveraging technology is important. Issues like environment vulnerability, healthcare, education are evolving and are taking new shapes constantly.
Third, work for sectorial decentralisation besides just political one. Sectors like water and sanitation, education, natural resources, etc. should be aligned with the needs and demands of the local people. It may also involve the semi/privatisation of certain sectors in order to ensure transparency.
Fourth, considering more than half of the population comprises of women, their participation should be ensured through proper legislation and special measures like quotas and reserved positions in local governments.
All of this needs a little political will from all the political and non-political stakeholders for the better future of Pakistan.