A nation’s democratic health is built upon a true foundation of empowered local governance. As the closest interface between the citizen and the state, local governments are essential for responsive service delivery, inclusive development, and the cultivation of a participatory democratic culture. In Pakistan, this principle is unequivocally enshrined in Article 140-A of the Constitution, which mandates the devolution of “political, administrative and financial responsibility and authority” to elected local representatives [1]. This article is not a suggestion; it is the blueprint for the democratic foundation upon which a stable and prosperous Pakistan must be built.
