Urbanization and Local Governance Challenges in Pakistan

The state of municipal services and infrastructure has deteriorated in Pakistan over the years. With the rapid increase in urbanization in Pakistan the need for effective and efficient local governments is felt more now than ever. The checkered history of local government initiatives in the country has contributed to the poor state of municipal service delivery. The military regimes, in the past, used local governments to create a loyal cadre of politicians who the military later pitted against the democratic forces. With the return of civilian democratic rule in Pakistan, the local governments were often abolished because these institutions were viewed as part and parcel of the military dictatorships. The tug-of-war between the democratic governments and military regimes has left Pakistan with an inadequate local government framework. The challenge for the democratic forces in Pakistan is to realize the importance of local governments and there-fore to take steps to offer them constitutional cover. Failing to do so may lead to further deterioration of urban and rural environments.