Editorial
The recent floods in Pakistan once again revealed the tireless efforts of emergency services, police, PERA, and district administration. Rescue 1122 in particular worked with great dedication, saving lives and providing immediate relief. Yet despite their hard work, the absence of a functional governance system limited the impact of these efforts. Without a coherent institutional framework, the state’s response remained fragmented and reactive rather than systematic.
The most glaring gap exposed during the disaster was the absence of strong local governments. In times of crisis, it is local councils that serve as the frontline of relief, organizing resources, mobilizing communities, and ensuring fair distribution of aid. Pakistan’s federal and provincial institutions cannot directly reach every village and neighborhood; only empowered local governments can create the bridge between state and citizens.
The floods reignited debate about the legacy of General Pervez Musharraf’s local government system. Despite its flaws, it remains the most functional model Pakistan has seen, providing resources, authority, and accountability at the grassroots level. That system enabled elected representatives to respond quickly to community needs, rather than waiting for orders from distant bureaucracies.
Today, Pakistan faces a dual challenge: climate-induced disasters on one hand and institutional weaknesses on the other. Without decentralization, the state will continue to rely solely on rescue agencies and ad hoc administrative measures, which can never fully address disasters of this scale.
The floods should be treated as a lesson and a turning point. Pakistan urgently requires a revival of empowered local governments—constitutionally protected, financially autonomous, and administratively capable. Only then can rescue efforts be complemented with long-term resilience, disaster preparedness, and genuine public service delivery at the community level.
