By Ghulam Haider Shaikh
Sohail Afridi’s statement that providing facilities to citizens at their doorstep is the government’s top priority reflects a welcome shift in development thinking, one that recognizes the essence of governance as service delivery rather than rhetoric. In a province like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where infrastructure, accessibility, and administrative capacity remain uneven, translating this vision into tangible results will be both a challenge and an opportunity.
Governance, at its core, is about convenience, access, and inclusion. For far too long, ordinary citizens have been forced to travel long distances to access basic services, from birth certificates to healthcare, education, and welfare assistance. Decentralizing these functions and ensuring that people can benefit from them without bureaucratic hurdles could transform the relationship between the state and its citizens. The emphasis on “doorstep governance” aligns well with modern public administration principles, which favor efficiency, transparency, and citizen-centered service delivery.
However, declarations alone will not suffice. The success of such an initiative depends on a robust institutional framework. Local governments must be empowered both administratively and financially to execute these plans effectively. Technology can also play a decisive role: digital platforms for e-governance, telemedicine, and mobile documentation services could drastically reduce red tape and bring efficiency to rural and urban communities alike.
Equally important is the issue of accountability. For doorstep services to be sustainable, transparency mechanisms should be built into every stage of delivery, from procurement to implementation. Without monitoring and citizen feedback, even the most well-intentioned projects risk falling prey to inefficiency or corruption.
It is also essential to recognize that providing facilities at home is not merely a logistical challenge, it is a political commitment. It demands a government that listens, anticipates, and adapts to the evolving needs of its people. In areas such as healthcare, water supply, electricity, and education, the difference between a responsive and a disconnected administration can be measured in lives and livelihoods.
Afridi’s focus on public convenience is timely. As inflation and unemployment strain household resources, bringing essential services closer to the people can ease frustration and restore confidence in governance. If implemented with seriousness and transparency, this approach could become a model for citizen-centered development, one that redefines public service as not an obligation, but a right delivered at the doorstep.
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