Reality of Local Government Reforms: Case of Environmental Protection Agencies in Pakistan

Abstract: New Public Management (NPM) has been the most popular governance model since 1980. NPM devolution is the process of providing service resources at the local level to assist the public and improve service delivery. However, the establishment of local governments in 2001 and their later dissolution in 2010 disrupted the real essence of devolution. This study is a descriptive analysis that aims to assess the devolution process from provincial to local levels in Pakistan, focusing on its effects on the structure, administration, and operation of Environmental Protection Agencies (EPAs) in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The objective of this study is to examine the trajectories of local government reforms in Pakistan, the extensive devolution program, and the tenure of devolution within the EPAs of these provinces. The study used a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative data obtained from semi-structured interviews with content analysis of important policy documents such as the 18th Amendment, Local Government Ordinances 2001, and Local Government Acts 2010, 2013, and 2016. The results indicate that, although devolution principles were adopted under external influence and pressure from donor organizations, there has been a general absence of effective implementation. The research findings provide significant direction for policymakers, emphasizing the need to harmonize worldwide plans with specific contexts in forthcoming institutional changes. The present study is a valuable contribution to the existing body of knowledge on devolution, particularly in relation to Pakistan as a developing country in Asia.Keywords: Agency, Decentralization, Devolution, Environment, Pakistan