Overview
- Speaking in Lahore, the defence minister called for granting cities and tehsils taxation authority, policing powers and financial independence.
- He said local government threatens no institution and argued bureaucratic resistance and limited public engagement undermine legitimacy.
- He acknowledged civilian parties’ failure to entrench empowered local bodies and noted past military rulers used local systems to sustain rule.
- He voiced support for creating new provinces, saying the move should not be feared.
- Panelists highlighted constitutional and fiscal gaps left by the 18th Amendment and urged provincial finance commissions and placing civic agencies under elected mayors, as debate has intensified after Karachi’s Gul Plaza tragedy.