LAHORE:Though Local govt is the third tier of government, but it is first tier of democracy and democracy is incomplete without meaningful representation of people in local institutions.
These views were expressed by the speakers at the Provincial Public Forum, ‘Strengthening Local Governance in Punjab – Perspectives & Pathways’, organised by Women in Struggle for Empowerment (WISE) here on Thursday.
The speakers said, ‘For the last six years elected local govt is absent in the province of Punjab and bureaucracy is running the system. This is clear violation of article 140-A of the constitution. Three provinces; Sindh, KPK and Baluchistan and even Azad Kashmir have elected LG system now, however, people of Punjab are still deprived of their constitutional right to have elected local govt system. The govt of Punjab should hold LG polls without further delay in the province.’
Over 130 participants from different districts including; Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Gujranwala and Faisalabad, involving women activists, civil society members, lawyers, academics, ex-councillors and members of different LG networks joined the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Executive Director, WISE, Bushra Khaliq, said the local govts are functioning in three provinces; Sindh, KPK and Baluchistan and they are about to complete their respective tenures, however, people of Punjab are still deprived of their constitutional right to have an elected local government. Which means 56pc of Pakistan population are still denied effective and democratic local governance.
She added future of democracy in Pakistan lies in strong system of local governance. The govt of Punjab should perform its constitutional responsibility and hold LG polls without further delay in the province, she demanded.
Prof Shakila Sindhu, Chairperson Political Science Department, FC College University, said democracy is incomplete without ensuring women’s due political representation in local government institutions and decision making process at local level. However, the new Local Govt Act 2025 offers little to women for their political participation.
