MANAGEMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN PAKISTAN: AN ANALYSIS OF MUSHARRAF ERA

The study investigates the nature and functioning of Local Government System of Musharraf regime. Though, it had some loopholes but it was significantly credible system as compared to previous models of local governments introduced in the country time to time. The Local Government Plan unveiled on 14th August, 2000 was intended to reform the democratic institutions and to empower the people at grass-root level through the transfer of political, administrative and fiscal powers to lower tiers of government. Analysis in the context of previous experiences of decentralization reforms in Pakistan indicates that the aim to introduce such reforms by military regime was and had always been regime legitimacy, state control and survival. Military rulers have always expressed their tendency to focus on the system of local bodies as a semblance of democracy to divert the attention of the people from extreme autocracy at the national level. However the system under discussion was a positive advance as far as the management of local affairs is concerned. This study will help to understand the increasing role of local government in modern and developing democratic countries with special focus on Pakistan. It will also helpful to strengthen, revive and promote the local democracy in Pakistan.