Punjab Assembly Speaker stresses devolution as key to resolving public issues

LAHORE (Asif Iqbal): Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has said that genuine improvement in governance is only possible when powers are devolved to the lowest tier, lamenting that Pakistan still operates under a dual system that creates stark disparities in education, health, and basic public services.

Speaking at the Punjab Parliamentarians Conference held at a local hotel, the Speaker praised the Balochistan government for taking commendable steps to improve the lives of local communities. He stressed that it is the responsibility of all provincial governments to ensure essential facilities are provided at the doorstep of every citizen.

Referring to the Punjab Suthra Programme as a successful model in front of him, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan said he himself belongs to a village, yet rural areas remain deprived of even basic municipal services. “Villages lack facilities, waste is piled up, and poor sanitation has made life increasingly difficult for rural residents,” he noted.

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The Speaker said that across the world, system theories clearly define institutional responsibilities, but in Pakistan, the lack of clarity in the distribution of powers continues to deepen administrative challenges.

Highlighting the inequity in the education sector, he stated that elite private schools spend around Rs 60,000 per child per week, while government schools spend only a few thousand rupees per child annually. “This is the story of two Pakistans a divide visible in every sector,” he remarked.

He further criticized industries that, for the sake of a few dollars, endanger public health and the environment. The Speaker reiterated that meaningful reforms and genuine devolution of powers are essential for resolving the issues faced by ordinary citizens.