ACROSS the world, successful civic governance is made possible through effective, responsive local bodies, which are closest to the voter. However in Pakistan, the third tier is the most neglected within the structure of governance.

Interestingly, military strongmen have held regular LG polls under their watch, while supposedly democratic set-ups have dithered, creating various obstacles in the smooth functioning of local bodies. The third tier is again under the spotlight, with coalition partners PPP and PML-N taunting each other over the state of LGs in the provinces they rule.

PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had recently, in the National Assembly, dared the PML-N to hold LG polls in Punjab and Islamabad “within 90 days”.........

© Dawn