Multi-level Governance and Local Government Reform in Pakistan. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Taj, Aamer; Baker, Keith
• Is Part Of: Progress in development studies. Volume 18:Number 4(2018:Oct.)
• Page Start: 267
• Page End: 281
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Governance -- reform -- Pakistan -- hybrid states -- local government -- devolution; Economic development -- Periodicals; Development economics -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Periodicals; 307.14
• DOI: 10.1177/1464993418786796
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1464-9934

Abstract

Local government reform in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province between 2001 and 2009 is examined through the lens of multi-level governance. The reforms were initiated by the military-led government of Pervez Musharraf and entrenched the power of the federal government. The reforms of 2001–09 were similar to the reforms implemented by the governments of Ayub Khan in the 1960s and Zia-ul-Haque in 1979. The article argues that three different military governments pursued similar programmes of constitutional reform to secure themselves in power. We conclude that devolution may not always enhance democracy.