IN Pakistan, politicians always proclaim that democracy is the best form of public service delivery. This is true. But the role of the middle and poor classes has been limited to the casting of vote on the day of election.

I have blurred memories of the Musharraf regime. At that time, the local government system was quite functional. By and large, people were happy then because their basic problems and grievances used to be addressed immediately.

However, when ‘democracy’ came back, the politicians left no stone unturned to abolish the local government system.

At the moment, the local government system is functional only on paper, especially in Sindh. It makes me sad to state that common people, especially in Sindh, are not happy with the current dysfunctional local government system because their grievances have been left unaddressed for the last 10 years.

The government should ensure the basic public services delivery by strengthening local government system.

Shahzeb Memon
Matiari

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2019