Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Saturday said that strengthening local government was a proven and essential formula for sustaining democracy in Pakistan, stressing that political power must be rooted at the grassroots to gain constitutional and public legitimacy.
Speaking at a public forum in Thinkfest 2026 at Alhamra Hall here, he said that politicians could only underwrite their authority legally and constitutionally by seeking endorsement directly from people. “If politicians want their power to be legitimate, they must reach out to country’s 250 million people,” he said.
The defence minister said that local government posed no threat to any institution and instead ensured stability. “All institutions remain safe under a local government system. I don’t understand why my own fraternity feels insecure,” he remarked. He recalled that all three military rulers – Ayub Khan, General Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf – relied on local governments, which enabled them to sustain their rule by devolving power to the grassroots, even while retaining central control.
Khawaja Asif identified bureaucratic influence over politicians as the main reason for political failure in the country. “First comes influence, then dependence. Once dependence sets in, politicians lose the ability to see long-term realities,” he said, adding that artificially created surroundings cloud political vision and distance leaders from ground realities.
Expressing regret, he said politicians continued to avoid empowering local institutions despite the model being easy to understand. “It pains me that even after decades in politics, we have failed to bring meaningful change,” he said, adding that many current parliamentarians were themselves products of the local government system introduced during General Zia’s era.
The minister stressed that political power could be strengthened through institution-building by granting local governments taxation authority, administrative powers including policing, and financial independence at city and tehsil levels. He said this devolution would also help ease budgetary pressures at federal and provincial levels.
Highlighting international examples, Khawaja Asif referred to a recent visit to Morocco, where he observed clean and well-managed neighbourhoods despite narrow streets in historic city centres. He said an effective local government system there had instilled a participatory sense among citizens, ensuring cleanliness, sanitation and basic services through local taxation.
“In Pakistan, only a few hundred thousand people are politically engaged out of 250 million,” he lamented. “The majority have never felt that they are part of the system or that their will and choices matter.”
Clarifying his stance, Khawaja Asif said he was not criticising others but himself. “I have been in parliament for many years, yet we have not succeeded in introducing transformative reforms,” he admitted.
He said the most urgent issue facing the country was empowering local governments, adding that the only segment feeling threatened by this shift was the civilian bureaucracy, whose authority would be transferred to elected representatives. “When powers move from deputy commissioners to local governments and mayors, real stability will begin,” he said.
Referring to history, the defence minister noted that the local government system was institutionalised by colonial rulers 150 to 200 years ago, who felt no threat in devolving authority despite their small numbers. “But today we fear diversity – different parties winning in different cities or union councils,” he said.
“It is this diversity, these differences, and this colourful political landscape from which democracy truly flourishes,” Khawaja Asif concluded.