Rawalpindi:Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Rawalpindi has rejected the Punjab government’s proposed Local Government Act and the controversial delimitation of union councils, calling them an assault on democratic values, public representation and constitutional principles. The party said the framework was designed not to empower citizens but to enable political manipulation, horse-trading and the weakening of elected local representatives, says a press release.
At a key meeting chaired by District President Mian Khurram Rasool, former chairmen, vice chairmen, nazims, naib nazims, councillors, women councillors, minority representatives and party workers unanimously agreed that the proposed system serves political interests rather than public welfare. Participants said the indirect election of union council chairmen violates the public mandate, undermines the power of the vote and creates space for political bargaining and backroom deals.
Addressing the meeting, Mian Khurram Rasool said the Punjab government had ignored geographical, social and administrative realities while carrying out delimitation. He alleged the new boundaries reflected political engineering instead of public convenience, dividing communities and creating confusion, mistrust and administrative complications at the grassroots level.
He criticised the government for introducing legislation and delimitations without meaningful consultation with elected representatives, political parties or other stakeholders, calling it a departure from democratic norms.
