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Abstract

Under the constitution of Pakistan, the local government is a provincial subject. Provinces can

lay down the basic legal framework or their creation and operation. The constitution distributes

revenue powers between the federal government and provinces and in turn provinces

decentralize some of their powers to the local government. Functions and revenue raising powers

are assigned to the local governments through provincial laws. In practice, the local governments

have always been created under laws simultaneously legislated in each province. The new local

government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa seems influenced from Devolution of Power Plan of

Musharraf regime. The new system brought the political, administrative and fiscal powers to

grass roots level. The flaw which is existed in this new system is giving enormous powers to

uneducated and mere matriculated elected persons. Regardless of having problems, the recent

local government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would show a good impact on the democratic

participation and is popular among the majority of the masses.

Introduction:

Local Government is a system of administration for small units, towns, and districts. It operates

those powers which have been delegated to it by the central (Now provincial) government. The

term “local government” means the management of local affairs of a town or a village by elected

bodies. It enjoys full control over the local affairs. This organization comes into existence by

election at the local level; it is the sub-unit of federal machinery, which is empowered to exercise

its authority. The local government is not a new system in Pakistan. It has been inherited since

the British rule. President Ayub khan presented a system called Basic Democracies (1959), but it

failed due to strong Bureaucratic control over its functioning. He also utilized it as a political

gain in the form of Electoral College. In 1972 President Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto abolished the Basic

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Democracy systems and introduced a new local Government system which is called Peoples

local Government (1973).This system was de-officialized as the bureaucrats were drawn out but

no election was held under this system. In 1979 General Zia-ul-Haq implemented a new form of

local Government. Under this system, the election was held and in 1988 but after the death of

General Zia-ul-Haq, this system was no more existed. In 12th October 1999, when General

Pervez Musharraf took charge of chief executive, he promised for the devolution of Power to the

gross roots level. He introduced a three-tier system; District council, Tehsil council, and union

council. In this process, the local bodies first election was held in four phases and completed on

14th August, 2001 and in 2005 second election was held under this system. The new system of

local Government of Musharraf regime introduced to give way for his political stability in

politics, but this system was also practically became to an end in 2009. After the 18th

amendment

in the 1973 constitution of Pakistan, the local government department was devolved to the

province. Each provincial government was order to frame the law for the local government

systems in the Pakistan for the smooth functioning of democracy. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

passed the local government act in 2012. The only province which holds the local government

election was Baluchistan in 2014. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa local government bill, 2013 having

been passed by the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on 31st October, 2013 and

assented to by the Governor of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on 5th

November, 2013 is hereby

published as an act of the provincial legislature of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. On 30 May 2015

election was held for the local government and oath taking on 30th

august 2015.

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Objectives of the study:

1. To highlight the past local governments systems in historical perspective.

2. To analyze the new local government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and highlight its strong

and weak areas.

The New Local Government System of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:

The Process of Formation:

Amendment 18 passed in April 2010 was considered the most comprehensive reform package

after the adoption of the 1973 Constitution. The aim was to repeal Amendment 17. Amendment

18 has introduced important steps towards the return of authority and increase Of provincial

autonomy. The Concurrent Legislative List was eliminated, which was a point of contention

between the federation and the provinces. Article 140-A approved in the Constitution by the 18th

Amendment stipulates: "Each province shall by law establish a local government system and

transfer responsibility and political, administrative and financial authority to the elected

representatives of the local government. Elections to the local governments shall be held by the

election commission of Pakistan."

KP led the lead to seriously serious estimate as have PTI, which won the most seats, emerged on

the scene without any luggage. The process was given a boost in KP by the UNDP initiative for

federalism and the Local Government Act of 2013 was approved by the Provincial Assembly on

31 October 2013 and approved by the KP Governor on 5 November 2013. The Provincial

election commissions hold local government elections on May 30, 2013 and the swearing-in

ceremony were held on August 30, 2015.

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Constitution of New Local Government:

The local government under this law will be:

1) A district government for the district of Peshawar

2)) A district government for a district other than Peshawar

3) A Tehsil Municipal Administration for a Tehsil

4) Municipal administration for city in the city district

5) A village council for a village in rural areas

6) A neighborhood council for a neighborhood in areas with urban characteristics.

The Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify the name with which a

local government is known and, unless otherwise specified, be known as the local administration

of the place where its office is located. Unless otherwise provided in this law, each local

government shall be competent to acquire, possess or transfer any property, movable or

immovable, to enter into a contract and so sue or be sued on its behalf, through a designated

officer in this regard. The government should prescribe business rules for local governments

notifying the structure and work of local government administration, groups of offices, business

allocation, appointment, promotion of posting and transfer of officers and Off-site construction

and incidental issues for smooth and efficient disposal of official business.

Objectives of New Local Government:

Hence, the Constitution categorically defines four parameters for elected Local Government that

it has to have political, administrative, financial and electoral responsibility and authority:

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i. Devolution of Political Responsibility and Authority: The political aspect

corresponds to the regulative and policy-related responsibilities and authorities to be

devolved to the local governments.

ii. Devolution of Administrative Responsibility and Authority: The administrative aspect

relates to executive responsibilities and authorities in the course of the everyday functioning

of the local governments.

iii. Devolution of Financial Responsibility and Authority: The fiscal component relates to

the revenue and expenditure assignments of the local governments.

iv. Devolution of Responsibility and Authority to the Elected Representatives of Local

Government: This component clearly establishes that the devolution of responsibilities and

authorities of all the functions should be assigned to the elected representatives of the local

governments.

Features of New Local Government:

The voter age was 18 year.

Full participation was given to the women, peasants’ minority and youth in District,

Tehsil and Village and Neighborhood level.

Financial powers were given to the District Government.

A fully empowered Government with the District as the basic Government and

development units was established.

The old system of local government was replaced by it.

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According to this plan, election was held on the nonparty basis in Village and

Neighborhood and party basis in District and Tehsil Councils

The civil services subordination to elected representative.

The Structure of KP New Local Government System:

According to the KP new Local Government, the Local Governments were formed at three

categories; which are District Council, Tehsil/Town Council and village and neighborhood

councils. Local Government at each level comprises a Nazim and Naib Nazim an elected body

(councilors both males and females) and an administrative structure.

District Government:

District Government is mandated to provide and manage social services including water,

sanitation, sewerage, education and health. District Council and District Administration will be

made up of the devolved offices with Executive Authority vested in Chairman District Council.

The Chairman will look after the operation, management, financial and administrative control of

devolved offices and will be responsible to the people and Government for improvement of

governance and delivery of services.

Tehsil Government:

The Supervisory role, provision of municipal services (streets, roads, water supply etc.) and

development of infrastructure will be the obligation of tehsil government.

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Village and Neighborhood Councils:

This will be the lowest tier of government (replacing Union Council) and comprise of 4,000 to

8,000 elected officials with Chairman and Vice-Chairman as its leaders. The delimitation of the

village councils was done for the first time. These councils will monitor and supervise the

performance of functionaries of government departments located in the area of the council

including education, health, engineering, agriculture, livestock policy and revenue.

Three Tier System in District:

District Government:

The district government consists of district council which shall consist of general seats, reserved

for women, peasants and workers, youth and non-Muslims seats. Under new local government

Act of KP in every district, there shall be a district government which shall consist of a district

council and district administration made of devolved of offices. The executive authority of

district government shall vest in Nazim, district council he/she shall be responsible for ensuring

that the business of the district government is carried out in accordance with KP local

government Act and other laws for the time being in force. The authority of district government

shall comprise the operation, management and control of offices of the department which are

devolved to it. Every order in district government shall be expressed to be made in the name of

the district government and shall be executed by a duly authorized officer. The district

government shall be responsible to the people and the government for improvement of

governance and delivery of services within the ambit of authority devolved to it.

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Functions and Powers of the Nazim, District Council:

The following are the functions and powers of the Nazim, district council.

i) Provide vision for district-wide development, leadership and direction for efficient

functioning of district government

ii) Develop strategies and timeframe for the accomplishment of goals approved by the

district council.

iii) Ensure implementation of devolved functions and maintain administrative and

financial discipline.

iv) Oversee formulation and execution of the annual development plan.

v) Present budget proposals to district council for approval.

vi) Present to district council bi-annual reports on the performance of offices of the

district government.

vii) Call for quarterly reports from government departments in the district, other than

those devolved to district government, present them to district council and forward

them to the government along with recommendations of the district and his comments

consideration and action.

viii) Initiate inspections of tehsil municipal administration, village councils and

neighborhood councils in the district.

ix) Issue executive orders to offices in charge of the devolved departments for the

discharge of their functions.

x) Represent district government on civic and ceremonial occasions.

xi) Perform any other function as may be assigned to him by the government.

xii) Approve long and short term development plans.

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Tehsil Council:

The Composition of tehsil council there shall be a tehsil council in each tehsil which shall

consist of general seats, seats reserved for women, peasants and workers, youth and non-

Muslims. In every tehsil, there shall be a tehsil municipal administration which shall consist of

the tehsil council, tehsil municipal officer, municipal officers and other officials of the local

council service. The executive authority of tehsil municipal administration shall vest in the

Nazim, tehsil council and he shall be responsible for ensuring that the business of tehsil

municipal administration is carried out in accordance with this act.

Functions and Powers of Tehsil Council:

The following are the functions and powers of the Tehsil Council.

i) Approve taxes, fines and penalties proposed by the Nazim, tehsil council.

ii) Approve bye-laws for delivery of municipal services.

iii) Approve annual budget and appropriations for tehsil municipal administration.

iv) Approve long and short term development plans.

v) Approve land use, zoning and master plan of the tehsil, development and maintenance

programs proposed by the tehsil municipal administration.

vi) Elect standing committees of tehsil council for municipal offices, tehsil based offices

and sub-offices of devolved functions to oversee matters and service delivery

obligations assigned to municipal offices, offices and sub-offices of devolved

functions in the tehsil and report to the tehsil council their findings on efficiency,

responsiveness, service delivery standards and performance of the respective offices

for review.

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vii) Elect finance committee of tehsil council for examination of tax and budget proposal,

re-appropriations and supplementary grants.

viii) Elect tehsil accounts committee to scrutinize the accounts showing appropriations of

sums granted by tehsil council for the expenditure of tehsil municipal administration,

audit reports, statement of income and expenditure and such other matters as the

tehsil council may refer to it.

ix) Elect a committee on the conduct of business to consider matters regarding procedure

and smooth conduct of business in tehsil council.

x) Elect tehsil committee on assurances to scrutinize reports on the implementation of

assurance, promises and undertakings given to the tehsil council.

xi) Elect a code of conduct committee to oversee the observance of the code of ethics by

the members.

xii) Review the reports and recommendation of tehsil accounts committee.

xiii) Review the performance reports presented by the Nazim, tehsil council.

Village and Neighborhood Councils:

The village council or neighborhood council as the case may be shall a multimember ward for

the election of members to be held on a non-party basis through adult franchise and joint

electorate. The candidates securing highest and second highest number of votes in the election of

the general seats of the village council or neighborhood council, as the case may be shall

respectively be the chairman or nazim and voice chairman or naib nazim of the village or

neighborhood council. The executive authority of the village or neighborhood council vest in

respective nazim or who shall be deputized by the concern naib nazim during his temporary

absence.

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The Composition of Village Council and Neighborhood Council:

Every village council and neighborhood council shall comprise of ten to fifteen following

members:

a) Five to ten members determined on the basis of population elected to general seats.

b) Two members elected to seats reserved for women.

c) One member elected to seat reserved for peasants and workers.

d) One member elected to seats reserved for youth.

e) One member elected to seats reserved for non-Muslims.

Functions of Village Council or Neighborhood Council:

i) Monitor and supervise the performance of functionaries of all government offices

located in the area of the respective village council or neighborhood council,

including education, health, public health engineering, agriculture, livestock, police

and revenue and hold them accountable by making inquiries and report to the tehsil

municipal administration, district government or, as the case may be, the government

for consideration and action.

ii) Provide an effective forum for out of court amicable settlement of disputes and for

this purpose, constitute panels of members as conciliators.

iii) Register births, deaths and marriages.

iv) Implement and monitor village level development works.

v) Improve water supply sources, maintain water supply distribution system and take

measures to prevent contamination of water.

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vi) Maintain village level infrastructure, footpaths, tracks, streets, prevent and abate

nuisances and encroachments in public ways, public streets and public places.

vii) Maintain and improve collective property including playgrounds, graveyards, funeral

places, eid-gah, parks, public open spaces and community centers.

viii) Identify development needs of the area for use by municipal administration and

district government in prioritizing development plans.

ix) Make arrangement for sanitation, cleanliness, disposal of garbage and carcasses,

drainage and sewerage system.

x) Display land transactions in the area for public information.

xi) Mobilize community for maintaining public ways, public streets, culverts, bridges

and public building, de-silting of canals and other development activities.

xii) Develop sites for drinking and bathing cattle.

xiii) Organize cattle fair and agriculture produce markets.

xiv) Organize sports teams, cultural and recreational activities.

xv) Organize watch and ward areas.

xvi) Promote plantation of trees, landscaping and beautification of public places.

xvii) Regulate grazing areas, establish cattle ponds and provide protection against stray

animals and animals trespass.

xviii) Consider and approve annual budget presented by the respective nazim, village

council or neighborhood council.

xix) Facilitate the formation of voluntary organizations for assistance in functions

assigned to it.

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xx) Facilitates the formation of co-operatives for improving economic returns and

reduction of poverty.

xxi) Elect an accounts committee and review its recommendations on the annual statement

of accounts and audit reports.

xxii) Report cases of handicapped, destitute and of extreme poverty to district government.

Devolved Offices to District:

The following 24 departments are devolved to district.

i) Primary and secondary education

ii) Vocational education

iii) Adult education and literacy

iv) Mother and child health care centers

v) Basic health units

vi) Rural health centers

vii) Social welfare

viii) Community development

ix) Sports and culture

x) Revenue and estate

xi) Agriculture (extension)

xii) Livestock

xiii) On-farm water management

xiv) Soil conservation and soil fertility

xv) Fisheries

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xvi) Cooperatives

xvii) Social and farm forestry

xviii) Special education

xix) Hospitals other than district headquarters, teaching and tertiary hospitals

xx) Rural development and rural works

xxi) Communication and works, district roads and buildings

xxii) Public health and public health engineering

xxiii) Population welfare

xxiv) Coordination, human resources management, planning, development, finance and

budgeting.

Implementation of KP Local Government System:

The local government elections were held in the whole province on 30th

may 2015. In the first

phase, the election was held for the village and neighborhood, tehsil council and district council

members.in the second phase the district and tehsil nazim and naib nazim for the respected

district in the province. The last and final formality to fulfill the condition of the constitution the

oath taking ceremony were held for the nazim and naib nazim of district and tehsil on 30 august

2015.

District and Tehsil Councils:

i. Direct elections to general seats of both District and Tehsil Councils will be held on bases

of Wards. 33% for women, 5% for peasants and workers, 5% for minorities and 5% seats

will be reserved for youth.

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ii. Elections to the district and Tehsil Councils will be held on party basis and a political

party shall be eligible to obtain an election symbol for contesting the elections.

iii. There will be single member territorial wards for general seats in Tehsil and District

Council and District and Tehsil single ward for all seats reserved for women, peasants and

non-Muslims.

iv. Members will fill reserved seats, elected through proportional representation system of

political parties list of candidates, on the basis of the total number of general seats by each

political party.

v. Electoral College for the election of Chairman and Vice chairman District and Tehsil

Council shall be members of the respective council.

Village and Neighborhood Councils:

i. Direct elections on a non-party basis through the adult franchise, joint electorate and free

list system will be conducted for Village and Neighborhood Councils.

ii. Candidates obtaining highest and 2nd highest votes will be designated as Chairperson and

Vice Chairperson.

iii. The councils will consist of General Seats (Muslims) for 5 to 10 members. 2 seats for

women, 1 for peasants and workers, 1 for minorities and 1 seat will be reserved for youth.

Provincial Local Government Commission:

The provincial government shall appoint a Local Government Commission which shall consist of

the following member.

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o Minister for Local Government, Election and Rural Development, who shall be

the Chairman of the Local Government Commission.

o Two members of the Provincial Assembly, one each nominated by the Chief

Minister and Leader of Opposition in the Provincial Assembly.

o Two eminently qualified and technocrats including a woman selected by

Government for a period of three years.

o Secretary of Government, Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights

Department.

o Secretary to Government, Local Government, Elections and Rural Development

Department.

The Local Government Commission may, for any specific assignment, co-opt any other person

as a member provided that, when it is seized with an inquiry against a Nazim, it shall be

mandatory for the Local Government Commission to co-opt a disinterested Nazim, as a member

of the district council. Government shall provide a separate budget for the Local Government

Commission with Director General, local Government and Rural Development as Principal

Accounting Officer, who shall provide secretarial support and render assistance to the Local

Government Commission. No act or proceeding of the Local Government Commission shall be

invalid by reason or existence of any vacancy or defect, in its constitution.

Functions of the Local Government Commission:

The functions of the local government shall be the following.

i) Local Government Commission conducts annual and special inspections of local

governments and submits reports to the Government.

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ii) Local Government Commission conducts, on its own initiative or whenever, so

directed by the chief minister or whenever a reference is made by a Nazim, district

council, an inquiry by itself or through district government into any matter

concerning a local government.

iii) Resolve disputes between local governments.

iv) Submit to the Chief Minister an annual report on the overall performance of district

governments that tehsil municipal administration.

v) Take cognizance of violations of laws and rules by a local government.

The Responsibility of the Local Government Commission:

The local government commission shall be responsible to the chief minister.

Relation of Government with District Government:

District government shall carry out its functions in accordance with provisions of the act and the

rules made their under. The government may provide a guideline and render advice to nazim,

district council for achieving the ends of government policy and for promoting economic, social

and environmental security of the province.

Directions by the Chief Minister:

The chief minister may by himself or through any officer specially authorized by him, issues

directives in public interest to a nazim, district council for implementation and if he fails to

comply with the directions, the chief minister may require the chief secretary to take such action

as the situation may necessitate.

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Suspension and Removal of a Nazim:

Where, in the opinion of the chief minister, a nazim is deliberately avoiding or abstaining

willfully or failing to comply with the direction given under the act. The chief minister may, for

a reason to be recorded and conveyed in writing, suspend him for a period of exceeding thirty

days and refer the matter to the local government commission for inquiry. During the course of

inquiry, the local government commission shall provide an opportunity of personal hearing to the

suspended Nazim and shall submit its report along with its recommendations which may include

removal of the Nazim to the chief minister for appropriate action in light of such

recommendation. During the period of suspension of the Nazim, the Naib nazim shall act as

Nazim and in the case of no decision is taken within thirty days from the date of suspension of

the Nazim. He shall be reinstated to his office.

Setting aside an Order of Nazim District Council:

Where, in the opinion of the chief minister, an order or decision of the Nazim, district council is

not in conformity with law or is against the interests of the people, he may, for reason to be

recorded and conveyed to the concern nazim, district council, suspend such order or, as the case

may be, decision, refer the matter to the local Government commission for inquiry to be

completed within sixty days and may on receipt of the report, quash the order or decision of the

Nazim, district council, if it is so recommended by the local government commission. Provided

that, if no action is taken within sixty days of suspension of the order or decision of the Nazim,

district council, such order or, as the case may be, the decision shall stand restored.

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Internal Controls, Inspection and Supervision:

Nazim, the district council may, with the approval of district council, designate

inspecting officers to objectively examine the performance of a tehsil municipal

administration, village council and neighborhood council in relation to service delivery.

Inspection reports prepared on specified format and containing an evaluation of

performance in relation to achievement of targets, responsiveness to citizens difficulties,

efficiency in the delivery of services and transparency in functioning, shall be presented

to the district council.

If the district council resolves that the situation requires action against the concerned

Nazim, Naib Nazim or member of the concerned local council, it may require nazim,

district council to refer the matter to the local government commission.

In all other cases, the nazim, the district council may require the respective nazim to take

appropriate remedial action.

Setting aside an Order of Nazim, Tehsil Council:

On a motion initiated by nazim, district council, a district council may, by a resolution stating the

grounds there of, passed by a simple majority of its total membership, set aside in order or

decision of general application taken by nazim, tehsil council or resolution of tehsil council, if it

considers the same to be inconsistent with law or against the interests of the people or public

policy. The result of the approval of the resolution of the district council shall be notified by the

district government.

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Setting aside Decisions of Nazim, Village Council and Resolution of Village

Council:

On a motion initiated by nazim, tehsil council by a resolution stating the grounds there of, passed

by a simple majority of its total membership, set aside in order or decision of general application

taken by nazim, village council, nazim neighborhood or resolution of village council, or a

resolution of neighborhood in the tehsil be, if it considers the same to be inconsistent with law or

against the interests of the people or public policy.

Suspension of Resolutions and Proceedings:

Where in the opinion of government anything done or intended to be done as a resolution of a

local council is not in conformity with law, government for reasons to be recorded may suspend

the execution of such resolution and prohibit the doing of anything resolved to be done.

Conduct of Members of the Local Councils:

The code of conduct committee in each local council shall ensure adherence of all members of

the local council, nazimeen and naib nazimeen to the prescribed code of ethics for promoting

their honest, responsible and efficient functioning and behavior. The code of conduct committee

shall monitor the conduct of the elected representatives and report incidents of efficiency and

corruption to the concerned local council which may invoke proceedings of disqualification

against such member.

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Comparison of KP Local Government with Punjab Local Government:

Provincial Minister for Local Government, Elections and Rural Development Department Mr.

Inayatullah Khan said that the local government system of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is completely

different from the local government system of Punjab, Sindh and Baluchistan. This unique

system is adopted because the western developed state following this local government system

and is working effectively there. He said that not only administrative but also social, political and

financial powers must be devolved to the local bodies so that they may be in a better position to

serve people at local level. He said that there would be more than 44,000 people elected from the

KP as local government representative, whereas Punjab will elect 42,000 representatives only.

The local governments in KP will be able to appoint people from Grade-8 to Grade-15 in their

respective local setup. He added more that power would also be given to these setups to even

appoint people in Grade-16.

Punjab has reduced the powers of Local Government (LG) institutions in the current process of

power devolution than that of 2001 local government Act. The KP LG act 2013 has given more

powers to the institutions at a lower level as compared to LG institutions of other provinces. KP

in the current LG system has not only abolished the Union Councils (UC) but devolved more

powers to the village and neighborhood councils. These village and neighborhood councils will

monitor the provincials departments along with police in their respective areas. The provincial

finance commission is independent in its decision under 2013 LG Act of KP, whereas the LG

commission is given immense powers to exercise. The women’s are also given huge representation in

the current local government system of KP. However, in Punjab the powers already existing with LG

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departments were further squeezed which tags a question marks over government intentions as to

why Punjab government was reluctant to trickle down powers to LG’s departments.

The Authorities was given to the members of elected candidates and Arbab Asim Khan was elected

as Mayor of Peshawar. In Punjab, Colonel (r) Mubashir Javed was elected as Mayor of Lahore but

still the power is not decentralized by the CM. The KP provincial government devolved

administrative and fiscal power to the local tier to strengthen the developmental efforts. Totally, the

powers 24 offices were devolved while in Punjab the powers are still in the hand of provincial

government. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the local bodies are working effectively and the Mayor Arbab

Asim Khan inaugurates several projects with the help of USAID. The renowned journalists,

politicians and media appreciate the local government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for working

effectively and without the fear of the provincial government. The provincial government of Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa is also appreciated for the devolution of power to the local tier and it was one of the

great achievements of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government. The transfer of administrative,

political and fiscal power is the constitutional obligation for the provincial government but the

Punjab provincial government shirked this constitutional responsibility.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (2014) New Local Government System Strong and

Weak Areas:

Strong areas: 1: Having administrative and financial autonomy at the grass root level would

empower people in real term.

2: The concept of democracy which is a form of government that is said to be for the people but

also by the people should flourish in the province.

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3: It restores authority to the people, and makes them responsible.

4: It also curbs the imbalance of power, and makes politicians responsible to the people.

5: It gets the community involved and non-party members would certainly work towards a

change for their village or neighborhood since their suggestions and decisions would represent

the respective village or neighborhood, and their decisions would not be influenced by any

political party hence giving them more effective and efficient representation.

Weak areas: 1: Holding of village and neighborhood council elections on non-party basis is

against norms of democracy.

2: Infrastructure for 3493 village and neighborhood councils, hence more resources would be

required for building the infrastructure.

3: Indirectly election for the office of district and tehsil nazim and naib nazim.

4: Provincial local government commission.

Conclusion:

The recent Khyber Pakhtunkhwa local government act, however, is considerably distinct from

the previous local government reforms as far its substance and structure is concerned. Its most

prominent distinguishing features include; the devolution of political, administrative as well as

fiscal powers to the lower tiers (village councils and neighborhood councils, tehsil and district)

of government, the direct election of the village councils and neighborhood councils’ heads,

reservation of seats for women, youth, minorities and workers & peasants at the village councils

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and neighborhood councils, tehsil and district levels, integration of rural and urban areas,

political and electoral integration of the lower tier (village councils and neighborhood councils)

into higher tiers (tehsil and district councils) of local government and the devolution of

provincial functions to the local governments. The idea of local government was to involve

public in the process of government; up to some extent the recent local Government Act of

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would solved the daily problems of the people in the province and the

people of province are fully satisfied from the recent election of local government. They are of

the view that the local government system would bring revolutionary changes to the

development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

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Name of Districts Councils and Number of Seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province:

District General Women Peasants/

worker

Minorities Youth Total

Abbottabad 51 17 3 3 3 77

Bannu 49 17 3 3 3 75

Battagram 20 7 1 1 1 30

Buner 29 9 2 2 2 44

Charsadda 49 17 3 3 3 75

Chitral 24 8 3 2 2 38

D.I.Khan 49 16 3 3 3 74

Hangu 19 7 1 1 1 29

Haripur 45 15 3 3 3 69

Karak 21 7 2 2 2 34

Kohat 32 11 2 2 2 49

Kohistan 39 13 2 2 2 58

Lakki

Marwat

33 11 2 2 2 50

Lower Dir 41 13 2 2 2 60

Malakand 28 10 2 2 2 44

Mansehra 59 20 3 3 3 88

Mardan 75 25 4 4 4 112

Nowshera 47 16 3 3 3 72

26

Peshawar 92 31 5 5 5 138

Shangla 28 10 2 2 2 44

Swabi 56 19 3 3 3 84

Swat 67 22 4 4 4 101

Tank 16 6 1 1 1 25

Torgar 15 5 1 1 1 23

Upper Dir 32 10 2 2 2 48

27

Tehsil Councils along with Number of Categories Seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province:

S.No District Tehsil General Women Workers/

peasants

Minorities Youth Total

1 Abbottabad

Abbottabad 35 12 2 2 2 53

Havelian 16 6 1 1 1 25

2 Bannu Bannu 43 15 3 3 3 67

Domel 6 2 1 1 1 11

3 Battagram Battagram 12 4 1 1 1 19

Allai 8 3 1 1 1 14

4 Buner Khudukhail 5 1 1 1 1 9

Mandan(totali) 5 1 1 1 1 9

Daggar 10 4 1 1 1 17

Gagra 9 3 1 1 1 15

5 Charsadda Charsadda 25 9 2 2 2 40

Shabqadar 12 4 1 1 1 19

Tangi 12 4 1 1 1 19

6 Chitral Chitral 14 5 1 1 1 22

Mastuj 10 4 1 1 1 17

7 D.I.Khan D.I. Khan 21 7 2 2 2 34

Paharpur 11 4 1 1 1 18

Kulachi 5 1 1 1 1 9

Darban 5 1 1 1 1 9

Parwah 7 3 1 1 1 13

28

8 Hangu Hangu 10 4 1 1 1 17

Thall 9 3 1 1 1 15

9 Haripur Ghazi 8 3 1 1 1 14

Haripur 37 13 2 2 2 56

10 Karak

Karak 9 3 1 1 1 15

Banda Daud Shah 5 1 1 1 1 9

Takht-e-Nasrati 7 3 1 1 1 13

11 Kohat Kohat 25 9 2 2 2 40

Lachi 7 3 1 1 1 13

12 Kohistan Palas 13 5 1 1 1 21

Dassu 11 4 1 1 1 18

Pattari 10 4 1 1 1 17

Kandia 5 1 1 1 1 9

13 Lakki Marwat Lakki Marwat 24 8 2 2 2 38

Sari Naurang 9 3 1 1 1 15

14 Lower Dir Adenzai 8 3 1 1 1 14

Timergara 6 2 1 1 1 11

Balambat 6 2 1 1 1 11

Munda 5 1 1 1 1 9

Samarbagh 6 2 1 1 1 11

Lal Qilla 5 1 1 1 1 9

Khall 5 1 1 1 1 9

15 Malakand Batkhela 17 6 1 1 1 26

Dargai 11 4 1 1 1 18

29

16 Mansehra Mansehra 36 12 2 2 2 54

Balakot 12 4 1 1 1 19

Oghi 11 4 1 1 1 18

17 Mardan Mardan 46 16 3 3 3 71

Katlang 12 4 1 1 1 19

Takht Bhai 17 6 1 1 1 26

18 Nowshera Pabbi 15 5 1 1 1 23

Nowshera 20 7 1 1 1 30

Jangira 12 4 1 1 1 19

19 Peshawar Peshawar 92 31 5 5 5 131

20 Shangla

Alpuri 19 7 1 1 1 29

Puran 9 3 1 1 1 15

21 Swabi Lahor 11 4 1 1 1 18

Razzar 20 7 1 1 1 30

Swabi 14 5 1 1 1 22

Topi 11 4 1 1 1 18

22 Swat Babuzai 17 6 1 1 1 26

Bahrain 8 3 1 1 1 14

Barikot 5 1 1 1 1 9

Charbagh 5 1 1 1 1 9

Khwazakhela 7 3 1 1 1 13

Kabal 12 4 1 1 1 19

Matta shamozi 13 5 1 1 1 21

23 Tank Tank 16 6 1 1 1 25

30

24 Torgar Judbah 7 3 1 1 1 13

Hassan Zai 8 3 1 1 1 14

25 Upper Dir Barawal 5 1 1 1 1 9

Dir upper 13 4 1 1 1 20

Kalkot 5 1 1 1 1 9

Wari 9 3 1 1 1 15

31

Bibliography

1: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa local government Act gazette, extraordinary, 7th

November 2013. P385-386

2: Ibid. p386-387

3: Ibid. p387-390

4: Ibid. p390-393

5: Ibid. p393-395

6: Ibid. p421-422

7: local government watch edition 6, Empowering people devolution trust for

community empowerment, 3rd

Oct 2013. P12

8: local government watch edition 6, Oct 03 2013. Empowering people devolution

trust for community empowerment. P19

9: Fafeen, preliminary observation findings, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa local

government elections 2015, p2

10: , Community voices towards effective legislation on local government Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa, UNDP, 2013.

11: Qaiser. J, Pakistan: Main challenges and constraints in Local Govt August 1,

2013.

12: Khaliq. M. Adviser Local Governance, Administrative Reform Component.

Local Government System in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa a Historical Analysis, Deutsche

Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.