On Wednesday, 1^st April 2026, Mr. Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad delivered a lecture on Impact of Governance on Service Delivery at the Federal, Provincial and Local Level to the participants of the 39^th Senior Management Course (SMC) at the National Institute of Public Administration, Lahore.

Referring to the Preamble and Articles 37 and 38 of the Constitution, Mr. Babar emphasized the state’s responsibility to ensure social, economic, and political justice through the provision of essential services such as education, health, and welfare. He explained the division of functions across federal, provincial, and local tiers, and questioned the effectiveness of local governments as a true third tier of governance.

Drawing on global indicators, Mr. Babar noted that Pakistan continues to face challenges in the rule of law, control of corruption, and government effectiveness. He stressed that institutions must be inclusive, participatory, and responsive to citizens’ needs in order to deliver meaningful outcomes. He also discussed the impact of the 18th Amendment, noting that while it aimed to decentralize authority, gaps in provincial capacity and resource generation have limited its effectiveness.

Mr. Babar examined performance management initiatives, including key performance indicators and delivery frameworks, and highlighted their limitations when not grounded in sound governance principles. He emphasized that service delivery is ultimately judged by citizens’ lived experiences rather than policy announcements. He concluded that strong governance, capable institutions, and a focus on results are essential for improving public service delivery.

The session ended with a Q&A session with the participants.