Role of Local Government in Community Empowerment and Participation: A Case Study of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (2001-2018)

Abstract

Local government being closer to the people is appropriate tier for community empowerment and people participation. Objectives of this research are to analyze the role of local government system (2001-2018) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in empowering local community, to determine the challenges of community empowerment and empowerment in KP. Using social constructivist paradigm, this is qualitative study based on both secondary data and primary data of purposively selected participants. The study concludes that though powers are devolved to elected local government officials, there are still systematic gaps and challenges for community empowerment and participation. The present local government model and development framework is not supportive for community empowerment. It is suggested that keeping in view the international best practices, systematic changes need to be incorporated in acts ad rules and practical steps need to be taken for meaningful participation and empowerment of local community.

        Keywords: local governance, human development, community empowerment, inclusion and participation.