LAHORE/ISLAMABAD:
The Punjab Assembly has forwarded to the federal government a unanimously approved resolution seeking amendment to Article 140-A of the Constitution for constitutional protection of local governments.
According to the resolution jointly moved by MP Ahmad Iqbal Chaudhry of the PML-N and MP Syed Ali Haider Gillani of the PPP, the provincial legislature proposed that a new chapter titled “Local Governments” be added to the Constitution.
The proposed amendment recommends a clear constitutional definition of the mandate, powers and responsibilities of local governments. The resolution also suggests that local elections must be held within 90 days of the end of a term and that elected representatives be required to call their first session within 21 days of the election.
The Punjab Assembly emphasized that local governments form the backbone of democracy and their continuity and accountability are essential for effective delivery of public services.
The text noted that after the 18th Amendment, elected local bodies in Punjab could function only for two years. He called the creation of a strong and well-resourced local government system “inevitable.”
The meeting urged the federal government to amend Article 140-A without delay, pointing out that the Supreme Court of Pakistan has already declared local governments as “a fundamental component of democracy”.
The resolution further states that repeated changes to local government laws have weakened institutions, adding that several countries across the world provide constitutional guarantees to local governments.
Citing international precedents, the resolution mentions that the Lahore Charter of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association also states that empowered local governments are essential to democracy.
He recalled that even the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had recommended amendments to Article 140-A in December 2022.
Meanwhile, the ECP on Friday agreed to give two-and-a-half months to the Punjab provincial government to finalize the delimitation process for the local elections.
Addressing the media, the Punjab Chief Secretary and Local Government Secretary said that all preparations for the elections would be completed by April-May 2026, thereby ensuring that the local government elections in Punjab would be held on time and without postponement.
The two officials had earlier attended an important meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja to review arrangements for the upcoming local body elections in Punjab.
The meeting was also attended by ECP members, ECP secretary and other senior officials of the provincial government and the commission.
During the meeting, CEC Raja emphasized that the conduct of local elections was the joint responsibility of the Punjab government and the ECP.
He asked provincial authorities to provide necessary rules, data, notifications and maps to enable timely delimitation of constituencies and ensure that the ECP can fulfill its constitutional obligations.
The Punjab Chief Secretary informed the meeting that the Local Government Act, 2025 has been enacted and the draft delimitation rules have already been shared with the ECP.
