Municipal Transformation.

In a thriving democracy, power must belong to the people. Comparing governance in different parts of the world, the devolution of power to municipalities and local bodies emerges as a crucial factor. Scandinavia serves as a stellar example of this approach. Sweden, for instance, manages about two-thirds of its public expenditure at the local level, contributing to an impressive 83% voter turnout in the 2018 local elections. Copenhagen has set ambitious goals to become the world's first carbon-neutral capital by 2025 through green initiatives. Reykjavik empowers its citizens with an online platform for proposing and debating local laws and city developments.

Empowering municipalities has been shown to result in efficient service delivery, high citizen participation, and a strong sense of ownership. However, in many developing nations like Pakistan, power has historically been concentrated at the central level, leading to bureaucratic red tape, excessive formalities, protocols, and lengthy procedures, which have widened the gap between public service and its recipients.

Recent developments in Pakistan, including local elections in Sindh, Balochistan, and KPK, as well as positive changes in Punjab's Department of Local Government and Community Development (LG and CD), indicate a shift in the right direction. Under the leadership of Mr. Mohsin Naqvi, the Punjab caretaker government sought to enhance public service delivery by transitioning from a department-centric to a citizen-centric approach, encapsulated by the slogan 'Ap Baldiyah App Ki' - emphasizing that local government officers exist to serve the public, not the other way around. This shift in mindset is essential for meeting citizens' needs and satisfaction, as even minor improvements at the local level can significantly impact people's perception of the government as a whole.

One major realization was that Punjab lacked elected local government representation, denying citizens the opportunity to influence governance. To address this, the 'Volunteers of Local Government Program' recruited 10,000 young individuals to assist the LG and CD in improving services, promoting cleanliness and sanitation, beautifying cities through tree plantations...