Local governments essential component of state structure: PA Speaker

LAHORE (Dunya News) - Punjab Assembly (PA) Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has said that government cannot breathe without local governments.

Addressing the National Conference ‘Local Governance in Pakistan: Empowering Communication’ held at Beaconhouse National University (BNU) on Monday, he said, “The federation and the provinces are indispensable, local governments are also an essential component of the state structure.”

The speaker said that the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award must be extended to the local level, as equitable distribution of resources forms the basis of a stable social structure.

The Speaker Punjab Assembly said that if cities are being developed and beautified today, it is a welcome development. However, we must also consider whether all tasks can be managed from one central place. Until local governments become fully functional, basic problems cannot be resolved, he said.

He said, “If local governments are not empowered, the relationship between the state and its citizens becomes weak.”