The Emergence and Development of Local Government System during the Military Eras and the Role of Dominant Biradaris: A Historical Perspective of District Jhang, Pakistan

Local government system or decentralization of power is one of the fundamental features of the democratic form of government. In Pakistan, the local government system is in its initial stages of development. The current system of local government in Pakistan is mainly emerged and developed during the military eras of different dictators. The military dictators like, Field Martial Muhammad Ayub Khan, General Zia-ul- Haq and General Pervez Musharraf developed local bodies’ election for their vested interests. In this study, the data collected through interview of the participants and study of books, articles, etc. shows that civilian governments did very little efforts for the development and progress of local government system in the past. Even the current democratic governments particularly after the fall of Musharraf are also adopting the delaying tactics for holding elections for local government. Some scholars dubbed the democratic governments of Pakistan as ‘civilian dictatorship’ as these governments were against the decentralization of power. Local government system makes the local institutes strong and resultantly local issues and resources will be managed effectively. Further, the dominant Biradaris of rural areas of Pakistan and especially of rural Punjab contributed significantly in promoting local government system during the military periods. Now the democratic parties are making laws for the better formulation of local government system in Pakistan