LAHORE:An open letter to CM Punjab called for the review of Punjab Local Government Act 2025 asking for direct election on the reserved seats for minorities, women, labourers/peasants, and youth.
The letter written by Chairman Rwadari Tehreek Pakistan Samson Salamat, Executive Director Christians’ True Spirit Ms Katherine Sapna Karamat and President Human Friends Organisation Sajid Christopher, stated that the Act contradicts Article 140-A of the Constitution of Pakistan, which guarantees administrative, political, and financial autonomy to elected local governments. Instead, it makes local bodies accountable to the provincial govt and bureaucracy rather than to citizens because the Act introduced non-party based elections, which weaken political accountability, transparency, and policy clarity and without party affiliation, citizens are unable to assess candidates’ ideological commitments.
Furthermore, newly created bodies such as the District Municipal Coordination Forum and Joint Authorities place bureaucrats in dominant roles, significantly curtailing the authority of elected representatives and undermining genuine local self-governance.
The letter further stated that one of the most alarming provisions is the indirect ‘selection system’ for reserved seats. Instead of direct elections, eight general councilors are authorised to select representatives for minorities, women, labourers/peasants, and youth. This disenfranchises marginalised communities, encourages political manipulation and favoritism, and deepens their exclusion who are already suffering from ineffective proportional representation in provincial and national assemblies, face further political invisibility at the grassroots level.
The minority leaders urged the CM Punjab to reconsider these provisions and ensure direct elections on all reserved seats; restoration of party-based elections; strengthening of elected local bodies’ authority over bureaucratic control; and protection of political participation right of minorities and marginalised groups.
