A STRANGE paradox has been observed in Pakistan. Ostensibly democratic parties have tried everything in the toolkit to curb the smooth functioning and autonomy of elected local bodies under their watch. On the other hand, military strongmen — for their own purposes — have facilitated elected LGs. If democracy is to take root at the most basic level, political parties must change their parochial concerns — of losing power and influence — and help facilitate the functioning of regular elected local bodies. Sadly, it has nearly always taken intervention by the courts or other institutions to get provincial governments to enable local-level polls. In this respect, the chief election commissioner has said that unless polls are conducted in Islamabad and Punjab, he may summon the prime minister and Punjab chief minister. The CEC made these remarks while hearing a case related to the delay in LG polls in both regions. Elected LGs are functioning — with mixed results — in all three provinces and cantonments, but Pakistan’s capital and largest province have been stalling the process for years. Punjab’s LGs completed their term on Dec 31, 2021. Under the law, polls should have been held in 120 days. Similarly, Islamabad’s LGs completed their tenure on Feb 14, 2021. As the ECP secretary noted at the hearing, Punjab has amended its LG law five times; in fact, the law is being further amended. There has been criticism of the latest amendments, with observers pointing out that they concentrate most powers in the hands of unelected bureaucrats, leaving elected officials as mere figureheads.

Apart from the fact that the provinces have failed to hold timely LG polls, there is also legitimate criticism that the existing laws, particularly in Sindh and Punjab, favour provincial control over local bodies. These attitudes fly in the face of devolution as envisaged under the 18th Amendment. Moreover, while the Constitution mandates the establishment of LGs under Article 140-A, experts say that further constitutional clarity is needed so that governments have no option but to fulfil their responsibility of holding timely polls. Depriving people of democratic representation at the local level is injustice. Punjab needs to give a clear timeline for LG polls, as does the Islamabad administration, while existing LG laws countrywide need to be reviewed to ensure they reflect the spirit of devolution.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2025