ISLAMABAD: In a bid to address issues at the grassroots level, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Measures Ahsan Iqbal announced the federal government’s commitment to ensuring the transfer of funds from the National Finance Commission (NFC) to local governments. This initiative aims to enhance service delivery in areas such as health, education, and municipal administration.

According to Radio Pakistan, Ahsan Iqbal made these remarks during a meeting with a 15-member delegation from the Local Council Association of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Mardan. He highlighted the critical role of local governments in effectively addressing public service challenges. The minister pointed out that the powers granted to provinces under the eighteenth amendment have not been adequately devolved to local governments, emphasizing the need for efficiency in local governance.

The minister stressed the importance of local bodies receiving the same level of support as provincial bodies, citing centralization wit
hin provinces as a barrier to effective local governance. He expressed concern over the poor state of education, health, and municipal services, attributing these issues to the lack of decentralized power.

Ahsan Iqbal also criticized the previous administration led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for dismantling 50,000 local bodies in Punjab, which he claimed had significantly impacted public welfare. During the meeting, the delegation briefed the minister on the prolonged paralysis of local governments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, attributing it to the absence of administrative and financial support from the PTI government.

The delegation informed the minister of a planned protest by local government representatives outside Adiala Jail on December 17, advocating for their rights. Ahsan Iqbal expressed support for the protest, affirming the federal government’s backing of their constitutional and legal powers and rights.