₹7,470 cr. cleared for infra works in Urban Local Bodies in A.P. under Hybrid Annuity Model

LAHORE: Senior PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan has criticized the current governance system, asserting that little has fundamentally changed since 1947 except for swapping the British flag for Pakistan's. The country continues to operate with the same extensive British-built administration, leaving the nation saddled with $150 billion in foreign debt.

Meanwhile, political parties consistently overlook local government elections. Speaking as the chief guest, Ahsan emphasized the indispensability of local bodies, urging all political parties to hold local elections and practice fiscal responsibility. At a seminar titled "More Provinces or Empowered District Governments," Ahsan's remarks were moderated by Bushra Manzoor Manika and Ahmed Ghuman, with discussions led by experts including Liaquat Baloch, Mujeebur Rehman Shami, Ahmed Awais, Amir Bahadur Hoti, Barrister Aamir Hasan, Zahid Islam, and Munizae Jahangir.

Journalist Imtiaz Alam pointed out that the country's primary issue remains its authoritarian system, suggesting that while previous disintegration was caused by ignoring public demands, district governance in the past was often manipulated by military dictators to undermine parliament instead of genuinely empowering local communities.

Barrister Aamir further elaborated on the legal and political landscape, highlighting that the 1973 Constitution remains the nation's social contract, but every legislative action since the 18th Amendment has been shrouded in suspicion, primarily due to the parliament operating under the establishment's shadow. Other panelists echoed concerns over stifling free speech and the lack of long-term national policies, advocating for genuine political dialogue and civilian supremacy to tackle the nation's pressing economic and governance challenges.