More than two years after the local government elections in Balochistan, over 27 percent of union councils in the province remain non-functional due to a lack of funding. Elections for the Quetta Metropolitan Corporation (QMC) have also not been conducted, leaving the civic body under administrative control.
The Balochistan Women Business Association (BWBA) highlighted these issues during a session on the state of local government at the Quetta Press Club.
The event saw the attendance of various stakeholders, including Chief Officer of the Local Government Metropolitan Corporation Matiur Rehman Kasi and several former councilors. Zahra Hassan, the BWBA organizer, stressed the critical role of local governments in addressing public issues at the grassroots level. Speakers pointed out that Pakistan, particularly Balochistan, has one of the most ineffective local government systems, describing it as the backbone of democratic governance that has thus far remained underutilized.
Local governments play a crucial role in improving service delivery, registering residents, addressing basic infrastructure issues, and ensuring access to health and education services. Strong local governance, attendees argued, promotes transparency, reduces public problems, and ensures better links between the government and citizens. The session called for immediate QMC elections to allow Quetta residents to elect their representatives and end reliance on bureaucratic administrators.
Participants urged the provincial finance commission to distribute funds allocated for local bodies directly to institutions to start developmental projects. They emphasized that greater citizen engagement and a strong local government structure are essential for achieving enhanced accountability and transparency.
