Working of Local Governments in Pakistan: A Case Study of Lahore Metropolitan Corporation 2013

Abstract

Local Governments are an essential tier for a successful, stable as well as continuous democracy in a country. Pakistan since independence has a very grumpy record of local governments with an opposite style of working under authoritative governments. Being a basic essence of democracy, Local Government is the most ignored subject while discussing achievements and failures of democracy in the country. The fact that local government have only been active in the country under military regimes made the subject undaunted for the elected governments which lost its actual importance and need to be enforced. The year 2010 brought a major change for the local governments and it was made compulsion for the provincial governments to conduct elections and form local governments after the 18^th constitutional amendment was passed. The amendment proved to be a ray of hope for the subject of local government, as many powers from central level were transferred to provincial governments. Moreover, the local governments were said to be provided with administrative, political as well as financial authority so that the working would be practicable. The study is conducted to examine the performance of Lahore Metropolitan Corporation formed under Punjab Local Government Act 2013. Lahore was entitled to be only Metropolitan Corporation with on other local government working within it. The working of Lahore Metropolitan Corporation has been observed by performance, responsibilities and functions assigned to the local government and their relationship with the administration and impact on the performance. The Punjab Government has introduced new act by the name of Punjab Local Government Act 2024 after the general elections under which the Metropolitan Corporation as well as district councils has been abolished which requires to study in depth what positive outcomes this structure has brought under previous act of 2013