As Pakistan starts its eightieth year, there are clear indications that it is about to experience major changes. The rumblings are real. So is the urgency.

Here's where we stand:

1. The 28th Amendment is expected to introduce sweeping changes in the governance structure. It is still being prepared and some reform ideas may not make it to the final version, but the big-ticket items are likely to remain in place. Political parties have room for negotiations, but that room is not too expansive. The irony is that reform is taking place not by the politicians, but despite them.

2. An empowered local government system is now inevitable. PML-N, PPP and PTI have resisted this reform for years for no other reason than their selfish political interests, but that resistance is now at its end. Punjab, probably the worst offender, has already sanctioned twelve billion rupees for holding local government elections. It is however too late. The weak forms of LGs legislated by the four provinces are likely to be replaced with legislation that will change not just the mode of elections, but also the role of LGs armed with significantly greater powers. Second irony: people will gain at the expense of political parties.

3. Additional administrative units are a work in progress, which means the final shape of things may not be…well, final. Do political parties have the option of saying thanks but no thanks? For now, it appears not. Whatever........

© The Express Tribune