LAHORE: A meeting of the Coalition for Restoration of Elected Local Government System in Punjab was held in Lahore on Wednesday to discuss the future of elected local governments, the ongoing debate over the creation of new provinces and administrative units, and the possibility of holding local government elections in Punjab.
The meeting reviewed constitutional and administrative issues currently under discussion and deliberated on the prospects of elections to local government institutions (LGIs) in Punjab. Participants also discussed media reports about preparations by the ruling political party in Punjab for local government elections and the need to ensure representation of vulnerable social groups in local government institutions.
Arshid Mehmood Mirza, Executive Director of Baidarie and coordinator of the coalition, said the major issue was the disconnect between people at the grassroots level and decision-making institutions. He said decisions affecting ordinary citizens should take into account their views, needs and the impact of policies on their lives.
Mirza said the creation of new provinces alone could not resolve governance-related problems unless underlying issues of governance and public participation were also addressed. He stressed the need for elected local government institutions, formed through the people’s vote and empowered to make and implement decisions at the local level.
Muhammad Tahseen said discussions on governance should not be limited to Punjab and that the situation in other parts of the country should also be considered. He said the creation of additional provinces would not, by itself, resolve issues related to public services, employment and access to government institutions.
Tahseen called for strengthening local governments and ensuring that people from local communities could participate in governance through elected representatives. He said local government institutions should have meaningful powers to address issues affecting their respective areas.
Mirza Abdul Shakoor highlighted the participation of women and other social groups in local government, saying there were examples of women councillors contributing to the welfare of their communities.
Zahid Islam said the coalition was neither a new NGO nor a funded project of any single organisation. He described it as a platform of citizens concerned with improving governance and strengthening democratic participation at the grassroots level.
He said the coalition’s framework was based on the Constitution of Pakistan and existing laws. He added that the Punjab Local Government Act 2025, as an enacted and gazetted law, should be implemented and local government elections held under it. He said the coalition could also identify weaknesses in the law and advocate improvements.
Bushra Khaliq said the coalition’s immediate objective was the restoration of elected local governments in Punjab and the development of recommendations to improve the local government system. She said the coalition would engage with the government, political parties and other stakeholders for holding local government elections and improving the Punjab Local Government Act 2025 in line with Articles 32 and 140-A of the Constitution.
Salman Abdi said the coalition’s framework also provided for district-level mobilisation involving social and political activists, youth, labour groups, minorities, women and local communities. He said it envisaged engagement with government departments, political parties, the media and legal institutions to advocate local government elections.
The participants agreed on the need for continued advocacy and a coordinated action plan. The coalition framework provides for immediate district-level assignments, media outreach and engagement with political and legal institutions, with a detailed action plan to be developed by the core committee.