ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Tuesday highlighted the recurrent fire incidents in Karachi, such as the tragic blaze at Gul Plaza, as clear indicators of the failure in urban governance. He emphasized the pressing need for a strong and empowered local government system across the country to address these critical issues.
While addressing the National Assembly during deliberations on the Karachi tragedy, he expressed profound sorrow over the loss of lives, stating that no words could truly convey the depth of grief caused by such events.
He underlined that effectively managing a megacity like Karachi is virtually impossible without a decentralized system of governance. He specifically pointed to fatal incidents, such as accidents involving dumpers, as evidence of this pressing challenge. Stressing that his critique was directed at systemic inefficiencies rather than individuals, he explained that the excessive centralization of power within provincial capitals had crippled governance structures.
Despite the provisions introduced through the 18th Amendment, he noted, real devolution of authority to grassroots levels had yet to be realized. For genuine empowerment, he argued, citizens need a robust, functional, and autonomous local government framework.
He explained that without a properly empowered local government system, essential services such as effective fire brigades, timely emergency responses, and accountability at neighborhood levels would continue to falter. These gaps, he argued, exacerbate the challenges being faced.
Asif called on lawmakers from all sides of the House to acknowledge that incidents like the Karachi fire signify a dire need for structural reforms. He advocated transferring powers from provincial capitals to districts, tehsils, and neighborhoods as a means to enhance governance and better serve the country’s 250 million citizens. He warned that unless power was devolved to the grassroots level, parliamentary representation would lose its value and significance.
Citing the Gul Plaza fire as a case in point, he noted that the absence of an effective local government had led to disorganized coordination during the crisis. Various institutions, including those from defence and aviation, were compelled to intervene on an ad hoc basis due to this gap.
Describing the situation as a pivotal moment for reflection, Asif appealed to parliament to engage in serious deliberation and introduce meaningful constitutional reforms aimed at reinforcing local government systems.
