Assissing the Role of Local Government in Evolving Representative Leadership in Pakistan

Abstract

It is widely believed that institutionalizing decentralization is a viable strategy to stimulate a system wherein previously disenfranchised local people participate in decision-making, and the elected officials are accountable to their constituents. In turn it produces conducive environment for inclusive political participation at grass root level. Hence, this thesis endeavors, to study the role of a decentralized local government in evolving representative leadership in Pakistan from institutional perspective. This study is conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province in Pakistan, characterized by strong patriarchal practices, low literacy, Khanism, religious fundamentalism and strong adherence to cultural norms and values. Introduction of decentralization in the shape of local government in Pakistan was a bold step however; the informal institutional practices as mentioned above hindered the way to deliver promising outcomes. This understanding was carried out by employing qualitative research methodology. The data was collected through in-depth interviews from community members, including men and women and local-government elected officials. In order to understand the stance of respondents on the role of local government, interpretivist approach was used employing unstructured interview schedule in individual interviews as well as in focus group discussions. Moreover, to get relevant information purposive sampling technique was utilized to locate more erudite respondents. This study finds out that some socio-cultural, political and religious factors derailed the operation of local government to develop in linear fashion as prescribed in theory. Among these, local power structure distorted participation, and representation of previously marginalized local people. Local elites were powerful enough and challenged the new positions created by local government. Due to their strong socio-political status, they easily manipulated the novice system and hijacked it away from the reach of the common people. Similarly, patriarchy disenfranchised women from political enterprise, limiting their role to pseudo participation in local government Central and provincial government relations were found as major impediments in the way of local government to produce an egalitarian system of decision making at grass root level. It was highlighted that the central government of General Pervez Musharraf used local government for legitimizing its own government at federal level. Provincial governments too were reluctant to share power with local representatives in district government. Therefore, provincial governments under duress administered fragile structure of local governments within their jurisdictions just to fulfill the constitutional requirements. Moreover, political parties, too, adversely affected the structure of local government to aggrandize in proper way. Local elites affiliated with political parties over shadowed the newly elected/created positions in local government. Consequently, the Hypocratic attitude of political parties added to the dilemma of failed decentralization in evolving representative leadership in Pakistan.