Persistent Sanitation Problems Highlight Governance Gaps
Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has acknowledged that even in his own neighborhood, basic civic issues like drainage and sanitation remain unresolved. Speaking at a press conference in the Punjab Assembly, he expressed frustration that these problems have persisted for decades, despite repeated promises and policy reforms.
He remarked that where I live, drainage and sanitation problems still exist to this day, emphasizing that these are not isolated challenges but reflect deeper systemic inefficiencies in local governance.
A Century and Still No Solution
Khan criticized the failure of successive governments to effectively address these issues. He noted that almost a century has passed, yet these matters remain unresolved, underscoring that administrative continuity and accountability are lacking at the grassroots level.
He reminded lawmakers that the purpose of a five-year parliamentary term is to deliver democratic benefits to the people. If citizens do not see the fruits of democracy, he warned, their trust in democratic institutions will begin to erode.
Punjab Assembly Passes Resolution on Local Governance
The Speaker highlighted a recent unanimous resolution passed by the Punjab Assembly, calling for constitutional amendments to ensure that local government elections are held on schedule. The resolution also proposes that no political party should have the authority to shorten the tenure of local bodies.
He stressed that Article 140-A of Pakistan’s Constitution remains incomplete, arguing that provinces must fully empower and sustain local governments as intended under the law.
Call for 27th Constitutional Amendment
Malik Ahmad Khan criticized the current government for dissolving local bodies and delaying legislative reforms. The new government abolished the previous local system,” he said, “and it took nearly three years to pass new legislation.
He urged immediate reforms, suggesting that if a 27th Constitutional Amendment is required to guarantee timely local elections, it should be implemented without delay. Such steps, he added, are essential to preserve democracy at the grassroots level.
Accountability, Law and Order, and Governance
Addressing the broader political climate, the Speaker said that recent incidents of lawlessness and violence, including those in Faizabad and Murree Road, demonstrate the state’s responsibility to ensure public safety.
He argued that constitutionally protected local governments could play a key role in maintaining order and providing direct public services. Empowered local bodies, he said, would enable quicker responses to citizens’ daily concerns and strengthen democratic stability.
Local Governments Are Closer to the People
Khan also praised Maulana Fazlur Rehman as an experienced politician but maintained that empowering local institutions is more beneficial than centralized policymaking.
Parliament should ensure that local governments are given full constitutional authority, he stated, so that public grievances can be addressed promptly and effectively.
He concluded by reaffirming that strong, autonomous local governments are vital for restoring public trust in democracy and ensuring that citizens truly feel the impact of governance in their daily lives.
