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Abstract
Under the constitution of Pakistan, the local government is a provincial subject. Provinces can
lay down the basic legal framework or their creation and operation. The constitution distributes
revenue powers between the federal government and provinces and in turn provinces
decentralize some of their powers to the local government. Functions and revenue raising powers
are assigned to the local governments through provincial laws. In practice, the local governments
have always been created under laws simultaneously legislated in each province. The new local
government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa seems influenced from Devolution of Power Plan of
Musharraf regime. The new system brought the political, administrative and fiscal powers to
grass roots level. The flaw which is existed in this new system is giving enormous powers to
uneducated and mere matriculated elected persons. Regardless of having problems, the recent
local government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would show a good impact on the democratic
participation and is popular among the majority of the masses.
Introduction:
Local Government is a system of administration for small units, towns, and districts. It operates
those powers which have been delegated to it by the central (Now provincial) government. The
term “local government” means the management of local affairs of a town or a village by elected
bodies. It enjoys full control over the local affairs. This organization comes into existence by
election at the local level; it is the sub-unit of federal machinery, which is empowered to exercise
its authority. The local government is not a new system in Pakistan. It has been inherited since
the British rule. President Ayub khan presented a system called Basic Democracies (1959), but it
failed due to strong Bureaucratic control over its functioning. He also utilized it as a political
gain in the form of Electoral College. In 1972 President Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto abolished the Basic
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Democracy systems and introduced a new local Government system which is called Peoples
local Government (1973).This system was de-officialized as the bureaucrats were drawn out but
no election was held under this system. In 1979 General Zia-ul-Haq implemented a new form of
local Government. Under this system, the election was held and in 1988 but after the death of
General Zia-ul-Haq, this system was no more existed. In 12th October 1999, when General
Pervez Musharraf took charge of chief executive, he promised for the devolution of Power to the
gross roots level. He introduced a three-tier system; District council, Tehsil council, and union
council. In this process, the local bodies first election was held in four phases and completed on
14th August, 2001 and in 2005 second election was held under this system. The new system of
local Government of Musharraf regime introduced to give way for his political stability in
politics, but this system was also practically became to an end in 2009. After the 18th
amendment
in the 1973 constitution of Pakistan, the local government department was devolved to the
province. Each provincial government was order to frame the law for the local government
systems in the Pakistan for the smooth functioning of democracy. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
passed the local government act in 2012. The only province which holds the local government
election was Baluchistan in 2014. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa local government bill, 2013 having
been passed by the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on 31st October, 2013 and
assented to by the Governor of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on 5th
November, 2013 is hereby
published as an act of the provincial legislature of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. On 30 May 2015
election was held for the local government and oath taking on 30th
august 2015.
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Objectives of the study:
1. To highlight the past local governments systems in historical perspective.
2. To analyze the new local government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and highlight its strong
and weak areas.
The New Local Government System of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:
The Process of Formation:
Amendment 18 passed in April 2010 was considered the most comprehensive reform package
after the adoption of the 1973 Constitution. The aim was to repeal Amendment 17. Amendment
18 has introduced important steps towards the return of authority and increase Of provincial
autonomy. The Concurrent Legislative List was eliminated, which was a point of contention
between the federation and the provinces. Article 140-A approved in the Constitution by the 18th
Amendment stipulates: "Each province shall by law establish a local government system and
transfer responsibility and political, administrative and financial authority to the elected
representatives of the local government. Elections to the local governments shall be held by the
election commission of Pakistan."
KP led the lead to seriously serious estimate as have PTI, which won the most seats, emerged on
the scene without any luggage. The process was given a boost in KP by the UNDP initiative for
federalism and the Local Government Act of 2013 was approved by the Provincial Assembly on
31 October 2013 and approved by the KP Governor on 5 November 2013. The Provincial
election commissions hold local government elections on May 30, 2013 and the swearing-in
ceremony were held on August 30, 2015.
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Constitution of New Local Government:
The local government under this law will be:
1) A district government for the district of Peshawar
2)) A district government for a district other than Peshawar
3) A Tehsil Municipal Administration for a Tehsil
4) Municipal administration for city in the city district
5) A village council for a village in rural areas
6) A neighborhood council for a neighborhood in areas with urban characteristics.
The Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify the name with which a
local government is known and, unless otherwise specified, be known as the local administration
of the place where its office is located. Unless otherwise provided in this law, each local
government shall be competent to acquire, possess or transfer any property, movable or
immovable, to enter into a contract and so sue or be sued on its behalf, through a designated
officer in this regard. The government should prescribe business rules for local governments
notifying the structure and work of local government administration, groups of offices, business
allocation, appointment, promotion of posting and transfer of officers and Off-site construction
and incidental issues for smooth and efficient disposal of official business.
Objectives of New Local Government:
Hence, the Constitution categorically defines four parameters for elected Local Government that
it has to have political, administrative, financial and electoral responsibility and authority:
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i. Devolution of Political Responsibility and Authority: The political aspect
corresponds to the regulative and policy-related responsibilities and authorities to be
devolved to the local governments.
ii. Devolution of Administrative Responsibility and Authority: The administrative aspect
relates to executive responsibilities and authorities in the course of the everyday functioning
of the local governments.
iii. Devolution of Financial Responsibility and Authority: The fiscal component relates to
the revenue and expenditure assignments of the local governments.
iv. Devolution of Responsibility and Authority to the Elected Representatives of Local
Government: This component clearly establishes that the devolution of responsibilities and
authorities of all the functions should be assigned to the elected representatives of the local
governments.
Features of New Local Government:
The voter age was 18 year.
Full participation was given to the women, peasants’ minority and youth in District,
Tehsil and Village and Neighborhood level.
Financial powers were given to the District Government.
A fully empowered Government with the District as the basic Government and
development units was established.
The old system of local government was replaced by it.
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According to this plan, election was held on the nonparty basis in Village and
Neighborhood and party basis in District and Tehsil Councils
The civil services subordination to elected representative.
The Structure of KP New Local Government System:
According to the KP new Local Government, the Local Governments were formed at three
categories; which are District Council, Tehsil/Town Council and village and neighborhood
councils. Local Government at each level comprises a Nazim and Naib Nazim an elected body
(councilors both males and females) and an administrative structure.
District Government:
District Government is mandated to provide and manage social services including water,
sanitation, sewerage, education and health. District Council and District Administration will be
made up of the devolved offices with Executive Authority vested in Chairman District Council.
The Chairman will look after the operation, management, financial and administrative control of
devolved offices and will be responsible to the people and Government for improvement of
governance and delivery of services.
Tehsil Government:
The Supervisory role, provision of municipal services (streets, roads, water supply etc.) and
development of infrastructure will be the obligation of tehsil government.
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Village and Neighborhood Councils:
This will be the lowest tier of government (replacing Union Council) and comprise of 4,000 to
8,000 elected officials with Chairman and Vice-Chairman as its leaders. The delimitation of the
village councils was done for the first time. These councils will monitor and supervise the
performance of functionaries of government departments located in the area of the council
including education, health, engineering, agriculture, livestock policy and revenue.
Three Tier System in District:
District Government:
The district government consists of district council which shall consist of general seats, reserved
for women, peasants and workers, youth and non-Muslims seats. Under new local government
Act of KP in every district, there shall be a district government which shall consist of a district
council and district administration made of devolved of offices. The executive authority of
district government shall vest in Nazim, district council he/she shall be responsible for ensuring
that the business of the district government is carried out in accordance with KP local
government Act and other laws for the time being in force. The authority of district government
shall comprise the operation, management and control of offices of the department which are
devolved to it. Every order in district government shall be expressed to be made in the name of
the district government and shall be executed by a duly authorized officer. The district
government shall be responsible to the people and the government for improvement of
governance and delivery of services within the ambit of authority devolved to it.
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Functions and Powers of the Nazim, District Council:
The following are the functions and powers of the Nazim, district council.
i) Provide vision for district-wide development, leadership and direction for efficient
functioning of district government
ii) Develop strategies and timeframe for the accomplishment of goals approved by the
district council.
iii) Ensure implementation of devolved functions and maintain administrative and
financial discipline.
iv) Oversee formulation and execution of the annual development plan.
v) Present budget proposals to district council for approval.
vi) Present to district council bi-annual reports on the performance of offices of the
district government.
vii) Call for quarterly reports from government departments in the district, other than
those devolved to district government, present them to district council and forward
them to the government along with recommendations of the district and his comments
consideration and action.
viii) Initiate inspections of tehsil municipal administration, village councils and
neighborhood councils in the district.
ix) Issue executive orders to offices in charge of the devolved departments for the
discharge of their functions.
x) Represent district government on civic and ceremonial occasions.
xi) Perform any other function as may be assigned to him by the government.
xii) Approve long and short term development plans.
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Tehsil Council:
The Composition of tehsil council there shall be a tehsil council in each tehsil which shall
consist of general seats, seats reserved for women, peasants and workers, youth and non-
Muslims. In every tehsil, there shall be a tehsil municipal administration which shall consist of
the tehsil council, tehsil municipal officer, municipal officers and other officials of the local
council service. The executive authority of tehsil municipal administration shall vest in the
Nazim, tehsil council and he shall be responsible for ensuring that the business of tehsil
municipal administration is carried out in accordance with this act.
Functions and Powers of Tehsil Council:
The following are the functions and powers of the Tehsil Council.
i) Approve taxes, fines and penalties proposed by the Nazim, tehsil council.
ii) Approve bye-laws for delivery of municipal services.
iii) Approve annual budget and appropriations for tehsil municipal administration.
iv) Approve long and short term development plans.
v) Approve land use, zoning and master plan of the tehsil, development and maintenance
programs proposed by the tehsil municipal administration.
vi) Elect standing committees of tehsil council for municipal offices, tehsil based offices
and sub-offices of devolved functions to oversee matters and service delivery
obligations assigned to municipal offices, offices and sub-offices of devolved
functions in the tehsil and report to the tehsil council their findings on efficiency,
responsiveness, service delivery standards and performance of the respective offices
for review.
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vii) Elect finance committee of tehsil council for examination of tax and budget proposal,
re-appropriations and supplementary grants.
viii) Elect tehsil accounts committee to scrutinize the accounts showing appropriations of
sums granted by tehsil council for the expenditure of tehsil municipal administration,
audit reports, statement of income and expenditure and such other matters as the
tehsil council may refer to it.
ix) Elect a committee on the conduct of business to consider matters regarding procedure
and smooth conduct of business in tehsil council.
x) Elect tehsil committee on assurances to scrutinize reports on the implementation of
assurance, promises and undertakings given to the tehsil council.
xi) Elect a code of conduct committee to oversee the observance of the code of ethics by
the members.
xii) Review the reports and recommendation of tehsil accounts committee.
xiii) Review the performance reports presented by the Nazim, tehsil council.
Village and Neighborhood Councils:
The village council or neighborhood council as the case may be shall a multimember ward for
the election of members to be held on a non-party basis through adult franchise and joint
electorate. The candidates securing highest and second highest number of votes in the election of
the general seats of the village council or neighborhood council, as the case may be shall
respectively be the chairman or nazim and voice chairman or naib nazim of the village or
neighborhood council. The executive authority of the village or neighborhood council vest in
respective nazim or who shall be deputized by the concern naib nazim during his temporary
absence.
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The Composition of Village Council and Neighborhood Council:
Every village council and neighborhood council shall comprise of ten to fifteen following
members:
a) Five to ten members determined on the basis of population elected to general seats.
b) Two members elected to seats reserved for women.
c) One member elected to seat reserved for peasants and workers.
d) One member elected to seats reserved for youth.
e) One member elected to seats reserved for non-Muslims.
Functions of Village Council or Neighborhood Council:
i) Monitor and supervise the performance of functionaries of all government offices
located in the area of the respective village council or neighborhood council,
including education, health, public health engineering, agriculture, livestock, police
and revenue and hold them accountable by making inquiries and report to the tehsil
municipal administration, district government or, as the case may be, the government
for consideration and action.
ii) Provide an effective forum for out of court amicable settlement of disputes and for
this purpose, constitute panels of members as conciliators.
iii) Register births, deaths and marriages.
iv) Implement and monitor village level development works.
v) Improve water supply sources, maintain water supply distribution system and take
measures to prevent contamination of water.
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vi) Maintain village level infrastructure, footpaths, tracks, streets, prevent and abate
nuisances and encroachments in public ways, public streets and public places.
vii) Maintain and improve collective property including playgrounds, graveyards, funeral
places, eid-gah, parks, public open spaces and community centers.
viii) Identify development needs of the area for use by municipal administration and
district government in prioritizing development plans.
ix) Make arrangement for sanitation, cleanliness, disposal of garbage and carcasses,
drainage and sewerage system.
x) Display land transactions in the area for public information.
xi) Mobilize community for maintaining public ways, public streets, culverts, bridges
and public building, de-silting of canals and other development activities.
xii) Develop sites for drinking and bathing cattle.
xiii) Organize cattle fair and agriculture produce markets.
xiv) Organize sports teams, cultural and recreational activities.
xv) Organize watch and ward areas.
xvi) Promote plantation of trees, landscaping and beautification of public places.
xvii) Regulate grazing areas, establish cattle ponds and provide protection against stray
animals and animals trespass.
xviii) Consider and approve annual budget presented by the respective nazim, village
council or neighborhood council.
xix) Facilitate the formation of voluntary organizations for assistance in functions
assigned to it.
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xx) Facilitates the formation of co-operatives for improving economic returns and
reduction of poverty.
xxi) Elect an accounts committee and review its recommendations on the annual statement
of accounts and audit reports.
xxii) Report cases of handicapped, destitute and of extreme poverty to district government.
Devolved Offices to District:
The following 24 departments are devolved to district.
i) Primary and secondary education
ii) Vocational education
iii) Adult education and literacy
iv) Mother and child health care centers
v) Basic health units
vi) Rural health centers
vii) Social welfare
viii) Community development
ix) Sports and culture
x) Revenue and estate
xi) Agriculture (extension)
xii) Livestock
xiii) On-farm water management
xiv) Soil conservation and soil fertility
xv) Fisheries
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xvi) Cooperatives
xvii) Social and farm forestry
xviii) Special education
xix) Hospitals other than district headquarters, teaching and tertiary hospitals
xx) Rural development and rural works
xxi) Communication and works, district roads and buildings
xxii) Public health and public health engineering
xxiii) Population welfare
xxiv) Coordination, human resources management, planning, development, finance and
budgeting.
Implementation of KP Local Government System:
The local government elections were held in the whole province on 30th
may 2015. In the first
phase, the election was held for the village and neighborhood, tehsil council and district council
members.in the second phase the district and tehsil nazim and naib nazim for the respected
district in the province. The last and final formality to fulfill the condition of the constitution the
oath taking ceremony were held for the nazim and naib nazim of district and tehsil on 30 august
2015.
District and Tehsil Councils:
i. Direct elections to general seats of both District and Tehsil Councils will be held on bases
of Wards. 33% for women, 5% for peasants and workers, 5% for minorities and 5% seats
will be reserved for youth.
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ii. Elections to the district and Tehsil Councils will be held on party basis and a political
party shall be eligible to obtain an election symbol for contesting the elections.
iii. There will be single member territorial wards for general seats in Tehsil and District
Council and District and Tehsil single ward for all seats reserved for women, peasants and
non-Muslims.
iv. Members will fill reserved seats, elected through proportional representation system of
political parties list of candidates, on the basis of the total number of general seats by each
political party.
v. Electoral College for the election of Chairman and Vice chairman District and Tehsil
Council shall be members of the respective council.
Village and Neighborhood Councils:
i. Direct elections on a non-party basis through the adult franchise, joint electorate and free
list system will be conducted for Village and Neighborhood Councils.
ii. Candidates obtaining highest and 2nd highest votes will be designated as Chairperson and
Vice Chairperson.
iii. The councils will consist of General Seats (Muslims) for 5 to 10 members. 2 seats for
women, 1 for peasants and workers, 1 for minorities and 1 seat will be reserved for youth.
Provincial Local Government Commission:
The provincial government shall appoint a Local Government Commission which shall consist of
the following member.
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o Minister for Local Government, Election and Rural Development, who shall be
the Chairman of the Local Government Commission.
o Two members of the Provincial Assembly, one each nominated by the Chief
Minister and Leader of Opposition in the Provincial Assembly.
o Two eminently qualified and technocrats including a woman selected by
Government for a period of three years.
o Secretary of Government, Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights
Department.
o Secretary to Government, Local Government, Elections and Rural Development
Department.
The Local Government Commission may, for any specific assignment, co-opt any other person
as a member provided that, when it is seized with an inquiry against a Nazim, it shall be
mandatory for the Local Government Commission to co-opt a disinterested Nazim, as a member
of the district council. Government shall provide a separate budget for the Local Government
Commission with Director General, local Government and Rural Development as Principal
Accounting Officer, who shall provide secretarial support and render assistance to the Local
Government Commission. No act or proceeding of the Local Government Commission shall be
invalid by reason or existence of any vacancy or defect, in its constitution.
Functions of the Local Government Commission:
The functions of the local government shall be the following.
i) Local Government Commission conducts annual and special inspections of local
governments and submits reports to the Government.
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ii) Local Government Commission conducts, on its own initiative or whenever, so
directed by the chief minister or whenever a reference is made by a Nazim, district
council, an inquiry by itself or through district government into any matter
concerning a local government.
iii) Resolve disputes between local governments.
iv) Submit to the Chief Minister an annual report on the overall performance of district
governments that tehsil municipal administration.
v) Take cognizance of violations of laws and rules by a local government.
The Responsibility of the Local Government Commission:
The local government commission shall be responsible to the chief minister.
Relation of Government with District Government:
District government shall carry out its functions in accordance with provisions of the act and the
rules made their under. The government may provide a guideline and render advice to nazim,
district council for achieving the ends of government policy and for promoting economic, social
and environmental security of the province.
Directions by the Chief Minister:
The chief minister may by himself or through any officer specially authorized by him, issues
directives in public interest to a nazim, district council for implementation and if he fails to
comply with the directions, the chief minister may require the chief secretary to take such action
as the situation may necessitate.
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Suspension and Removal of a Nazim:
Where, in the opinion of the chief minister, a nazim is deliberately avoiding or abstaining
willfully or failing to comply with the direction given under the act. The chief minister may, for
a reason to be recorded and conveyed in writing, suspend him for a period of exceeding thirty
days and refer the matter to the local government commission for inquiry. During the course of
inquiry, the local government commission shall provide an opportunity of personal hearing to the
suspended Nazim and shall submit its report along with its recommendations which may include
removal of the Nazim to the chief minister for appropriate action in light of such
recommendation. During the period of suspension of the Nazim, the Naib nazim shall act as
Nazim and in the case of no decision is taken within thirty days from the date of suspension of
the Nazim. He shall be reinstated to his office.
Setting aside an Order of Nazim District Council:
Where, in the opinion of the chief minister, an order or decision of the Nazim, district council is
not in conformity with law or is against the interests of the people, he may, for reason to be
recorded and conveyed to the concern nazim, district council, suspend such order or, as the case
may be, decision, refer the matter to the local Government commission for inquiry to be
completed within sixty days and may on receipt of the report, quash the order or decision of the
Nazim, district council, if it is so recommended by the local government commission. Provided
that, if no action is taken within sixty days of suspension of the order or decision of the Nazim,
district council, such order or, as the case may be, the decision shall stand restored.
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Internal Controls, Inspection and Supervision:
Nazim, the district council may, with the approval of district council, designate
inspecting officers to objectively examine the performance of a tehsil municipal
administration, village council and neighborhood council in relation to service delivery.
Inspection reports prepared on specified format and containing an evaluation of
performance in relation to achievement of targets, responsiveness to citizens difficulties,
efficiency in the delivery of services and transparency in functioning, shall be presented
to the district council.
If the district council resolves that the situation requires action against the concerned
Nazim, Naib Nazim or member of the concerned local council, it may require nazim,
district council to refer the matter to the local government commission.
In all other cases, the nazim, the district council may require the respective nazim to take
appropriate remedial action.
Setting aside an Order of Nazim, Tehsil Council:
On a motion initiated by nazim, district council, a district council may, by a resolution stating the
grounds there of, passed by a simple majority of its total membership, set aside in order or
decision of general application taken by nazim, tehsil council or resolution of tehsil council, if it
considers the same to be inconsistent with law or against the interests of the people or public
policy. The result of the approval of the resolution of the district council shall be notified by the
district government.
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Setting aside Decisions of Nazim, Village Council and Resolution of Village
Council:
On a motion initiated by nazim, tehsil council by a resolution stating the grounds there of, passed
by a simple majority of its total membership, set aside in order or decision of general application
taken by nazim, village council, nazim neighborhood or resolution of village council, or a
resolution of neighborhood in the tehsil be, if it considers the same to be inconsistent with law or
against the interests of the people or public policy.
Suspension of Resolutions and Proceedings:
Where in the opinion of government anything done or intended to be done as a resolution of a
local council is not in conformity with law, government for reasons to be recorded may suspend
the execution of such resolution and prohibit the doing of anything resolved to be done.
Conduct of Members of the Local Councils:
The code of conduct committee in each local council shall ensure adherence of all members of
the local council, nazimeen and naib nazimeen to the prescribed code of ethics for promoting
their honest, responsible and efficient functioning and behavior. The code of conduct committee
shall monitor the conduct of the elected representatives and report incidents of efficiency and
corruption to the concerned local council which may invoke proceedings of disqualification
against such member.
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Comparison of KP Local Government with Punjab Local Government:
Provincial Minister for Local Government, Elections and Rural Development Department Mr.
Inayatullah Khan said that the local government system of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is completely
different from the local government system of Punjab, Sindh and Baluchistan. This unique
system is adopted because the western developed state following this local government system
and is working effectively there. He said that not only administrative but also social, political and
financial powers must be devolved to the local bodies so that they may be in a better position to
serve people at local level. He said that there would be more than 44,000 people elected from the
KP as local government representative, whereas Punjab will elect 42,000 representatives only.
The local governments in KP will be able to appoint people from Grade-8 to Grade-15 in their
respective local setup. He added more that power would also be given to these setups to even
appoint people in Grade-16.
Punjab has reduced the powers of Local Government (LG) institutions in the current process of
power devolution than that of 2001 local government Act. The KP LG act 2013 has given more
powers to the institutions at a lower level as compared to LG institutions of other provinces. KP
in the current LG system has not only abolished the Union Councils (UC) but devolved more
powers to the village and neighborhood councils. These village and neighborhood councils will
monitor the provincials departments along with police in their respective areas. The provincial
finance commission is independent in its decision under 2013 LG Act of KP, whereas the LG
commission is given immense powers to exercise. The women’s are also given huge representation in
the current local government system of KP. However, in Punjab the powers already existing with LG
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departments were further squeezed which tags a question marks over government intentions as to
why Punjab government was reluctant to trickle down powers to LG’s departments.
The Authorities was given to the members of elected candidates and Arbab Asim Khan was elected
as Mayor of Peshawar. In Punjab, Colonel (r) Mubashir Javed was elected as Mayor of Lahore but
still the power is not decentralized by the CM. The KP provincial government devolved
administrative and fiscal power to the local tier to strengthen the developmental efforts. Totally, the
powers 24 offices were devolved while in Punjab the powers are still in the hand of provincial
government. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the local bodies are working effectively and the Mayor Arbab
Asim Khan inaugurates several projects with the help of USAID. The renowned journalists,
politicians and media appreciate the local government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for working
effectively and without the fear of the provincial government. The provincial government of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa is also appreciated for the devolution of power to the local tier and it was one of the
great achievements of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government. The transfer of administrative,
political and fiscal power is the constitutional obligation for the provincial government but the
Punjab provincial government shirked this constitutional responsibility.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (2014) New Local Government System Strong and
Weak Areas:
Strong areas: 1: Having administrative and financial autonomy at the grass root level would
empower people in real term.
2: The concept of democracy which is a form of government that is said to be for the people but
also by the people should flourish in the province.
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3: It restores authority to the people, and makes them responsible.
4: It also curbs the imbalance of power, and makes politicians responsible to the people.
5: It gets the community involved and non-party members would certainly work towards a
change for their village or neighborhood since their suggestions and decisions would represent
the respective village or neighborhood, and their decisions would not be influenced by any
political party hence giving them more effective and efficient representation.
Weak areas: 1: Holding of village and neighborhood council elections on non-party basis is
against norms of democracy.
2: Infrastructure for 3493 village and neighborhood councils, hence more resources would be
required for building the infrastructure.
3: Indirectly election for the office of district and tehsil nazim and naib nazim.
4: Provincial local government commission.
Conclusion:
The recent Khyber Pakhtunkhwa local government act, however, is considerably distinct from
the previous local government reforms as far its substance and structure is concerned. Its most
prominent distinguishing features include; the devolution of political, administrative as well as
fiscal powers to the lower tiers (village councils and neighborhood councils, tehsil and district)
of government, the direct election of the village councils and neighborhood councils’ heads,
reservation of seats for women, youth, minorities and workers & peasants at the village councils
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and neighborhood councils, tehsil and district levels, integration of rural and urban areas,
political and electoral integration of the lower tier (village councils and neighborhood councils)
into higher tiers (tehsil and district councils) of local government and the devolution of
provincial functions to the local governments. The idea of local government was to involve
public in the process of government; up to some extent the recent local Government Act of
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would solved the daily problems of the people in the province and the
people of province are fully satisfied from the recent election of local government. They are of
the view that the local government system would bring revolutionary changes to the
development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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Name of Districts Councils and Number of Seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province:
District General Women Peasants/
worker
Minorities Youth Total
Abbottabad 51 17 3 3 3 77
Bannu 49 17 3 3 3 75
Battagram 20 7 1 1 1 30
Buner 29 9 2 2 2 44
Charsadda 49 17 3 3 3 75
Chitral 24 8 3 2 2 38
D.I.Khan 49 16 3 3 3 74
Hangu 19 7 1 1 1 29
Haripur 45 15 3 3 3 69
Karak 21 7 2 2 2 34
Kohat 32 11 2 2 2 49
Kohistan 39 13 2 2 2 58
Lakki
Marwat
33 11 2 2 2 50
Lower Dir 41 13 2 2 2 60
Malakand 28 10 2 2 2 44
Mansehra 59 20 3 3 3 88
Mardan 75 25 4 4 4 112
Nowshera 47 16 3 3 3 72
26
Peshawar 92 31 5 5 5 138
Shangla 28 10 2 2 2 44
Swabi 56 19 3 3 3 84
Swat 67 22 4 4 4 101
Tank 16 6 1 1 1 25
Torgar 15 5 1 1 1 23
Upper Dir 32 10 2 2 2 48
27
Tehsil Councils along with Number of Categories Seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province:
S.No District Tehsil General Women Workers/
peasants
Minorities Youth Total
1 Abbottabad
Abbottabad 35 12 2 2 2 53
Havelian 16 6 1 1 1 25
2 Bannu Bannu 43 15 3 3 3 67
Domel 6 2 1 1 1 11
3 Battagram Battagram 12 4 1 1 1 19
Allai 8 3 1 1 1 14
4 Buner Khudukhail 5 1 1 1 1 9
Mandan(totali) 5 1 1 1 1 9
Daggar 10 4 1 1 1 17
Gagra 9 3 1 1 1 15
5 Charsadda Charsadda 25 9 2 2 2 40
Shabqadar 12 4 1 1 1 19
Tangi 12 4 1 1 1 19
6 Chitral Chitral 14 5 1 1 1 22
Mastuj 10 4 1 1 1 17
7 D.I.Khan D.I. Khan 21 7 2 2 2 34
Paharpur 11 4 1 1 1 18
Kulachi 5 1 1 1 1 9
Darban 5 1 1 1 1 9
Parwah 7 3 1 1 1 13
28
8 Hangu Hangu 10 4 1 1 1 17
Thall 9 3 1 1 1 15
9 Haripur Ghazi 8 3 1 1 1 14
Haripur 37 13 2 2 2 56
10 Karak
Karak 9 3 1 1 1 15
Banda Daud Shah 5 1 1 1 1 9
Takht-e-Nasrati 7 3 1 1 1 13
11 Kohat Kohat 25 9 2 2 2 40
Lachi 7 3 1 1 1 13
12 Kohistan Palas 13 5 1 1 1 21
Dassu 11 4 1 1 1 18
Pattari 10 4 1 1 1 17
Kandia 5 1 1 1 1 9
13 Lakki Marwat Lakki Marwat 24 8 2 2 2 38
Sari Naurang 9 3 1 1 1 15
14 Lower Dir Adenzai 8 3 1 1 1 14
Timergara 6 2 1 1 1 11
Balambat 6 2 1 1 1 11
Munda 5 1 1 1 1 9
Samarbagh 6 2 1 1 1 11
Lal Qilla 5 1 1 1 1 9
Khall 5 1 1 1 1 9
15 Malakand Batkhela 17 6 1 1 1 26
Dargai 11 4 1 1 1 18
29
16 Mansehra Mansehra 36 12 2 2 2 54
Balakot 12 4 1 1 1 19
Oghi 11 4 1 1 1 18
17 Mardan Mardan 46 16 3 3 3 71
Katlang 12 4 1 1 1 19
Takht Bhai 17 6 1 1 1 26
18 Nowshera Pabbi 15 5 1 1 1 23
Nowshera 20 7 1 1 1 30
Jangira 12 4 1 1 1 19
19 Peshawar Peshawar 92 31 5 5 5 131
20 Shangla
Alpuri 19 7 1 1 1 29
Puran 9 3 1 1 1 15
21 Swabi Lahor 11 4 1 1 1 18
Razzar 20 7 1 1 1 30
Swabi 14 5 1 1 1 22
Topi 11 4 1 1 1 18
22 Swat Babuzai 17 6 1 1 1 26
Bahrain 8 3 1 1 1 14
Barikot 5 1 1 1 1 9
Charbagh 5 1 1 1 1 9
Khwazakhela 7 3 1 1 1 13
Kabal 12 4 1 1 1 19
Matta shamozi 13 5 1 1 1 21
23 Tank Tank 16 6 1 1 1 25
30
24 Torgar Judbah 7 3 1 1 1 13
Hassan Zai 8 3 1 1 1 14
25 Upper Dir Barawal 5 1 1 1 1 9
Dir upper 13 4 1 1 1 20
Kalkot 5 1 1 1 1 9
Wari 9 3 1 1 1 15
31
Bibliography
1: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa local government Act gazette, extraordinary, 7th
November 2013. P385-386
2: Ibid. p386-387
3: Ibid. p387-390
4: Ibid. p390-393
5: Ibid. p393-395
6: Ibid. p421-422
7: local government watch edition 6, Empowering people devolution trust for
community empowerment, 3rd
Oct 2013. P12
8: local government watch edition 6, Oct 03 2013. Empowering people devolution
trust for community empowerment. P19
9: Fafeen, preliminary observation findings, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa local
government elections 2015, p2
10: , Community voices towards effective legislation on local government Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, UNDP, 2013.
11: Qaiser. J, Pakistan: Main challenges and constraints in Local Govt August 1,
2013.
12: Khaliq. M. Adviser Local Governance, Administrative Reform Component.
Local Government System in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa a Historical Analysis, Deutsche
Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.