Shadiullah Khan

Local Governments and Local Elites

Abstract Local government reform 2001 is an important part of the Government of Pakistans programme for democratic renewal. The main feature of introducing the Local Government System was to empower the people at the grassroots level and to transfer power from the elite to the masses. This paper uses councillors‘ data from north-western Pakistan to examine the economic and social status of village representatives. Land ownership, high income, education and political connections increase the chances of election to public office at the district and sub-district level, but do not have much impact at the village level. There is evidence of genuine change at union (village) level as the majority of councillors (65 per cent) at this level belong to low-income group and small landowners. So the system has changed the identity of the locally politically dominant group. But, at the same time, results suggest that while local governments units are helpful in creating spaces for a broader range of non-elite community leaders to emerge, elite control of decision making is pervasive. However, it is expected that the presence of non-elite members in the councils may change the allocation of resources in favour of the disadvantaged group with the passage of time, provided elections to councils are held regularly.

Public perceptions of local government in Pakistan: a survey

Research focusing on public perceptions of government has been widespread; however, little attention has been devoted to local government units. This focus is particularly interesting considering the enhanced role that local governmental units have assumed in recent years. Focusing on people perception of the recent decentralized government in North West Frontier Province (NWFP), respondents were asked about their feelings as to (a) awareness and knowledge of the district government, (b) attitudes and behaviour towards district government and (c) the role of district government and extent of peoples satisfaction of services provided by the local government. A surveys data show that the level of public knowledge of local government is not so low, public attitudes towards local government are very positive and people have high expectations in terms of participatory development. Despite a limited role in development, people generally prefer local government for delivery of services. A very large proportion (59%) of people think that local governments should have sufficient duties, functions and powers while only 21% do not want them functioning. The only change in the local government system as required, according to people, was an introduction of the direct, popular election of nazims (mayors) at all the three levels of local councils (78% support).