QUETTA (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 15 Mar, 2026) Health and Rural Development (HARD), with support from Awaz Center for Development Services, organized a multi-stakeholder consultation session and advocacy committee to discuss the constitutional, administrative, financial and political independence of local governments in Balochistan.
Balochistan Local Government Additional Secretary Farooq Tareen said local governments manage municipal services such as water supply, sanitation, waste management, street lighting and local road maintenance through district councils, municipal committees and union councils. He noted that while administrative independence allows local representatives to meet community needs, the regional bureaucracy still has significant control.
Mr. Ali Satakzai, Chief Local Government Officer, emphasized that local governments can prepare their own budgets and development plans. However, financial resources come mainly through the Provincial Finance Commission (PFC) and provincial grants, making LGUs largely dependent on provincial funding.
Sakina Abdullah (PPP) stressed that local governments work to strengthen grassroots democracy by allowing citizens to elect mayors, mayors and council members.
She said political participation and accountability improve through regular elections, although regional interference and delays in elections often weaken political independence.
Mansour Ahmed (Show) said the 18th Constitutional Amendment placed greater responsibility on provinces to create effective local government systems and promote decentralization of power to elected local bodies.
Abdel-Bari explained that local governments also regulate municipal matters such as construction control, urban planning and rural development, while union councils are the closest administrative units to the public.
Saleem Shahid, a senior journalist, raised concerns about abuse of power, including mismanagement of development funds, nepotism in appointments, and opaque contract awards.
He stressed that weak oversight and lack of transparency allow corruption to continue in some local government institutions.
Discussed by lawyer A. Hi (NCRC) Safa Quetta A project aimed at improving waste management in Quetta. He pointed out that although door-to-door garbage collection has begun in some sectors, the project still does not cover many areas of the city.
Participants stressed the need for stronger independence, transparency and accountability to ensure effective local governance and improve service delivery in Balochistan.