Goodbye local government
WE Pakistanis have an uncanny knack for shooting ourselves in the feet. For that is precisely what we’ve done by packing up the Sindh Local Government Ordinance 2001 and burying it alive, without as much as granting it a last wish before death. At least that’s the way this writer – and many other citizens of Karachi – feel.
It might not have been a perfect system. But for those of us who’ve ever had the unfortunate necessity of having to deal with any tier of government – that would probably include 99 per cent of us – the system in place since 2001 worked. Though by supporting the local government system we in no way want to endorse any political party, the fact is that Karachi’s city government has been sacrificed at the altar of politics.
The Sindh chief minister has been heard saying ‘the people’ wanted the return of the old system. I’d like to meet these ‘people’, for most people I know who call this city home appreciated the devolved structure of governance. Getting things done in the neighbourhood had been made much easier under the SLGO 2001. Things such as getting documents attested, birth certificates made, nikahnamas issued etc had become a relatively harmless experience. So was getting the local storm-water drain cleaned or having the side-street paved.
The town nazim was (usually) an approachable chap who listened to the residents of the neighbourhood because he had to depend on these people to get elected. Though corruption had not been completely eliminated by the 2001 system (after all, this is Pakistan), it had been reduced, especially when it came to getting things done in the mohallah.
What will the new drill be? Will I have to march to the old DC office to ensure the trash is being picked up in front of my house, or to complain that the neighbours are encroaching on my outside lawn? Or will this require knocking at the doors of the Chief Minister House? Those who claim to be the defenders of democracy – all the while crushing it at the local level – can best answer that.
It has been said that the SLGO 2001 was imposed by Gen Pervez Musharraf. Indeed, the generalissimo may be guilty of many crimes, but 2001’s local government law was actually one of the (few) positive things he did for this country and this city. And for those who (rightly) say the law was introduced by a dictator, could they please tell us about Gen Ziaul Haq’s democratic credentials, as he was the man responsible for the Sindh Local Government Ordinance 1979, the law that has replaced the SLGO 2001.
The Police Order 2002 has also been replaced by the Sindh Police Act, 1861. This move of the government is also beyond comprehension. How is a 19th century piece of colonial legislation going to improve law and order in the province and in the city? And while we’re in the business of reviving 150-year-old British laws, perhaps we should bring back other vestiges of the Raj, such as the Company Bahadur, ‘dogs and Indians not allowed’ segregation policies or even the office of the governor general. Perhaps the ‘people’ demand these as well.
Goodbye Karachi city government. You were not perfect, but we learnt to live with and even like you. You shall be missed.
Source: Dawn
Date:7/25/2011
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