According to the Federal Minister Babar Awan (Pakistan Today, Jan 22) Islamabad will soon get a provincial assembly as its status is that of a province. If what Mr Awan says is implemented, that would entail setting up a high-costing top-heavy government just for performing functions of a local body. What Islamabad needs is local government so that basic services are delivered to its denizens, efficiently.
Generally, capital cities, like other cities and districts all over the world, have local governments to look after their citizens. There is no reason to make Islamabad an expensive exception.
JAVED ASGHAR
Lahore
