There seems to be a consensus among the three leading political parties on resisting the democratic empowerment of local governments in different ways, notwithstanding the mounting problems of the people at the grassroots level.

The edifice of a bottom-up democratic state structure can only be built by erecting its grassroots foundation, reinforced by related robust socio-economic community development.

We are left with a faltering hybrid arrangement, creating a huge erosion of social and political cohesion with its fallout on national security.

Local governments need to be empowered financially, administratively and legislatively, and elections to these local bodies should precede provincial and national assembly polls. These would then likely influence the outcome of the provincial and national assembly polls and electorate mandate.

While provincial tax revenues have increased during 6MFY25, there is stubborn resistance to sharing revenues with local governments

While provincial tax revenues have increased during the six months of the current fiscal year in the provinces ruled by the PPP, PML-N and PTI, there is stubborn resistance to share revenues with local governments.

In nominal terms, provincial tax grew in FY24 by 19.2 per cent, almost three times the previous year. Indirect taxes led to this growth in the back of sales tax on services and other indirect........

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