Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said Pakistan has failed to effectively implement the local government system, warning that the country’s survival depends on empowering people at the grassroots level.

Speaking at Think Fest in Lahore, Khawaja Asif said the promise of devolution made under the 18th Amendment was never fulfilled. He stated that while the amendment guaranteed power at the lowest level, this vision could not materialise in practice.

“We have never allowed the common man to feel that he is part of this country,” he remarked.

Failure to empower grassroots

Asif acknowledged that Pakistan has not been able to implement the local government system effectively. He said that if powers are not transferred to the lower level, it amounts to deceiving the people. According to him, the country cannot function properly unless authority is devolved to the grassroots.

The minister said powers were transferred to the provinces under the 18th Amendment, but provincial governments failed to pass those powers further down. He reiterated that true devolution requires authority to reach the lowest tier.

“I even called the 18th Amendment a fraud, which many people found offensive,” he said, explaining that devolution stopped at the provincial level.

Lessons from history

Referring to past military rulers, Khawaja Asif said the three major dictators relied on local government systems. He noted that no politician was ever given nine uninterrupted years, yet dictators managed to rule longer by empowering local governments.

He alleged that many members of the current parliament "graduated" from the late Gen Ziaul Haq’s local government system.

Addressing political concerns, Asif said local government poses no danger to political parties. “If there is any threat, it is only to the bureaucracy,” he said, adding that bureaucratic powers would be reduced and transferred to elected local representatives.

He questioned why there is an internal fear that empowering local governments would benefit a particular political party.

Financial powers at tehsil level

The defence minister stressed that institutions should be given financial powers at the tehsil level. He said Pakistan would not run smoothly until powers are transferred downward.

“I myself have never felt that I am part of this system,” Asif concluded, reiterating that Pakistan’s survival lies in a strong and empowered local government structure.