Introduction:

Every year on 14th August, we see green and white flags fly across every street of Pakistan. Streets are filled with parades, songs echo from loudspeakers, and social media overflows with patriotic posts. I am a young Pakistani and a concerned citizen. For me, Independence Day is more than a celebration, it is a
responsibility.
This day reminds us that our elders fought for our freedom, but we must now fight to fix the system. It is our turn to take charge, not with slogans, but with action. We, the youth, must step into leadership, not just in politics but in community service and governance. As a volunteer with Volunteer Leading Governance (VLG), I have taken this message to heart. That is why I am sharing my story, my model for decentralized governance, and my vision for a more responsive and effective local government.

What Does 14th August Mean to Today’s Youth?

For today’s generation, 14th August should be seen as more than a public holiday. It should be understood as a reminder of our duty, to protect, build, and reform the nation we have inherited. We have moved past the phase of simply celebrating independence. Now, we are entering the phase of contributing to national progress.
To me, independence means the freedom to take initiative, the freedom to raise our voices, and the freedom to lead. But with that freedom comes the responsibility to solve problems, educate others, and stand up for justice. We, must become change-makers, not just flag-bearers. True independence is when we use our skills, time, and passion to improve our streets, our schools, our systems, and our people’s lives. And that change does not need to start in Islamabad. It can start right from our own Mohallas and wards.

How Can Young Volunteers Shape Pakistan’s Future?

We live in a time when youth are often underestimated. But in reality, we are full of energy, ideas, and potential. We understand technology, communication, and networking. These are tools that can change lives if used right.

If I talk about myself, I have already taken small but meaningful steps. As a volunteer member of VLG Narowal, I built a local community database. That database includes the names, CNICs, and contact numbers of more than 10 responsible individuals from my Mohalla. These people have given me consent to represent them and raise community issues on their behalf.
With this small but dedicated group, we have already raised several complaints with local authorities. In Mohalla RehmanPura, for example, we reported problems related to waste collection, drainage blocks, sanitation, and general cleanliness. This was not a one-time effort. We have followed up on each issue.

Because I had a account on Aaap ki Baldia, Citizen Portal, and Suthra Punjab Shehri. We monitored whether the departments responded, and updated our group accordingly.
What I learned from this experience is powerful: even a small, organized group can bring change, IF it is built on trust, purpose, and action. Imagine if every ward had a structured volunteer team doing this work daily, supported by the system. That is exactly what I aim to propose. I could have filed complaints and followed up alone. But I chose to engage the concerned community. My purpose was to build a sense of responsibility and help them take ownership of the issues.

The Turning Point: A Rumor That Sparked a Vision

A few weeks ago, I heard a rumor that local UC councilor elections might be held soon. Naturally, I got curious. As a resident of Ward 02, Tehsil Narowal, I attended some of the campaign meetings and met candidates from different political parties. I wanted to observe their agendas and visions because one of them might become our official representative. But it turned out to be just a rumor. No elections were scheduled.

Even though the news was false, the experience had a deep impact on me. I realized that our system lacks clarity, accessibility, and citizen awareness. Many residents, even those with higher education, were confused about their rights and responsibilities. People did not know how to report local issues, how to
complain to Baldia, or even where to find information about government schemes.
This gap in awareness bothered me. So instead of waiting for someone else to take action, I decided to take the lead. I started building a detailed plan, not just for the upcoming election, but for the entire governance structure of our ward. I wanted to create a system that works with or without elections, one
that helps people every single day. I decided to create a detailed video to clearly present my plan to the local representatives.

The Vision: A Decentralized Governance Model for Every Ward

I fully acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of our national and provincial leaders. Sir Ahsan Iqbal (MNA) and Khawaja Waseem Butt (MPA) have done a lot for the development of Narowal. But let’s be honest: no MNA or MPA can handle every small issue in every street, every drain, and every home. Their responsibilities are vast and demanding.
That is why I believe in decentralizing governance. Instead of one person trying to fix everything from the top. We should divide responsibilities at the ward level, where the people are, where the problems are, and where solutions can be delivered.
Each ward should have its own local office, operated by trained and accountable individuals. This office should not be a political setup. But it should be a community service hub that functions professionally, just like any other department. It should be a place where residents can walk in, ask questions, file complaints, get information, and follow up on issues.

01 Key Roles in the Ward Office

In this decentralized model, every ward would have a small team of 7–8 individuals with clearly defined roles. These roles are not symbolic; they are practical and necessary for everyday community issues. At the top would be the Community Supervisor. He / She will be responsible for planning, managing strategies, and overseeing the entire team’s work. This person ensures accountability and transparency.
A Complaint Manager would handle a digital or manual database, record all community complaints, follow up with relevant departments, and report false claims or misconduct. This builds a culture of responsibility.
Next, a Baldia Accountability Officer would focus on civic duties like ensuring daily waste collection, streetlight repair, road conditions, and reporting maintenance delays. This person would also stay in touch with municipal bodies like the Sialkot Waste Management Company.
In addition to these, there would be 2–3 members under an Information & Research Branch. These officers would be in charge of spreading awareness about important public services and procedures.

For example:

. How to file an FIR, Tenant Agreement
. How to apply for CNIC, FRC, and certificates (birth, death, marriage)
. How to apply for scholarships, jobs, PSER, Dehi Rani, or OEC opportunities
. Where to get info about health clinics, PM Youth Hubs, laptop schemes
. How to complain via Suthra Punjab, Citizen Portal, or Aap Ki Baldia
. What to do in case of harassment, sanitation failures, or social welfare needs

This team would be trained, present in the ward, and fully accessible to the people they serve.

2. Merit-Based Selection: Skills Over Popularity

One of the key differences between this model and the traditional councilor system is how people are chosen. In the current setup, many ward representatives are selected through elections based on popularity, not capability. Often, there are no checks on their skills, experience, or understanding of community issues.
In my proposed model, each position in the local ward office would be filled based on merit and eligibility, not just political support. To apply for these roles, the candidate must:

1. Have domicile and CNIC from the same ward.
2. Be physically present and active in the ward.
3. Standard test will be conducted.

The test would include:

. Administrative and IT knowledge
. Communication and ethics
. Scenario-based questions (e.g., What will you do if a waste management complaint is not resolved in 3 days?)

This approach ensures that only the most skilled and committed individuals serve the community. Not those who just win votes or hold influence. It also builds trust between the system and the people, because the system becomes transparent and accountable.

Why We Need to Replace the Traditional Councilor System

For years, we have been relying on local councilors to solve our everyday problems. Like, from garbage collection to electricity issues. But in most cases, they do not have a dedicated office, a clear structure, or trained staff. Many councilors are unable to answer basic community queries, and residents often feel
ignored or helpless.

I am not saying we should disrespect the system. I am saying we should upgrade it. My proposed model is not a rebellion against democracy. It is a better version of democracy, one that combines local ownership with modern systems.

By introducing structured offices, trained staff, and a clear responsibility chart in every ward, we can finally ensure that local governance actually works. People would not need to beg for basic services anymore. They will know exactly who to contact, how to complain, and when to expect results.

Development Goals Covered in This Model

My decentralized governance model is not limited to complaints and garbage. It covers every aspect of community life. It is a structured approach that can be proposed to the government for implementation in an organized. Here are the key areas it addresses:

01 Civic Rights & Awareness

Most people do not know how to file an FIR, apply for a CNIC, get a birth certificate, or even complain about harassment. The information & research team in each ward office will educate and assist citizens with these processes.

02 Youth Empowerment

We will arrange sessions for youth on civil defense, 1122 training, career planning, computer skills, law basics, and more. Our goal is to turn idle energy into skilled energy.

03 Education Support

I propose forming a team of retired teachers and educated volunteers. For example in Ward 02 we have retired teachers like Sir Alla Detta Zaka, Sir Mian Akhtar and his sons, and Master Marrad Sbb. We can ask them to guide students with their studies, future plans, and exam preparation.

04 Social & Ethical Values

We will run campaigns like “Say No to Drugs”, create platforms for conflict resolution (Panchayat). We will try to promote ethical behavior among youth through mosque-based training and open discussions. Mosques will not only serve as places of prayer but also as centers for moral development. We will try to arrange sessions on, Wazoo, Ghusl, Kirat, basic Sunnah and Fard, Tarbiyati Ijtima, belief systems, and community issue awareness. I think, they can play a key role in shaping a sponsible and informed society.

05 Health, Hygiene & Infrastructure

The Baldia Accountability Officer will track daily cleanliness, sanitation, water supply, food hygiene, and will raise issues like:

. Barbers not following hygiene
. Milk sellers using unclean containers
. Food stalls selling in unsanitary conditions

We will also work on long-term projects like quarterly spray for mosquitoes, fixing graveyard location issues, unblocking drains, and stopping illegal dumping in residential areas.

06 Technology & Governance Access

We will teach residents how to use following. This helps bridge the gap between citizens and government.

. Punjab Citizen Portal
. Suthra Punjab App
. PM Youth Programs
. Aap ki Baldia
. nline Punjab Police complaint portals
. Khidmat Markaz

07 Economic Help & Special Needs

There are many Govt programs people want. But they do not know how to apply. We will fill that gap.
We will spread awareness about:

. Disability certificates
. Special education programs (like those under Yousaf Akhtar Sbb, Focal Person Special Education . Awareness in District Narowal)
. Dehi Rani
. Old age homes
. Youth scholarships
. CM/PM loan schemes
. Solar panel subsidy programs

A Call to Action: This 14th August, Let’s Start a Real Movement

This Independence Day, I am not raising just a flag. I am raising a voice. A voice for community-based leadership, for trained local teams, and for active youth participation in governance.
Through VLG, I have seen what is possible. If I can build this model, so can other wards, tehsils, and cities. We do not need to wait for permission. We do not need to wait for elections. We can start now.
Let us turn 14th August into a day of action, not just memory.

Conclusion

Our elders gave us this country. Now it is our job to make it work better. I truly believe that with the right structure, trained volunteers, and local systems, we can bring real change from the ground up. Let’s train people to serve their neighbors. Let’s not just talk about governance, let’s create it. True freedom is not just living in a free country. It is being able to fix what is broken, and doing it together.

Written by
Ehtisham ul Haq