Why provinces matter

Provinces are not an optional layer; they are the backbone of federalism.

Today, Singha Durbar appears unusually quiet. Citizen presence has declined sharply, and federal ministries that once bustled with political leaders, party cadres and ordinary citizens now feel almost deserted. This silence is not merely physical; it reflects a deeper shift in the location of democratic life and public engagement. Several government secretaries have observed that this silence was unprecedented. In the past, Singha Durbar was a magnet for public engagement; today, that vibrancy has largely disappeared. This shift is not coincidental. In the absence of an elected government, the natural connection between citizens and the state weakens, democratic engagement declines and the rule of law suffers.