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. 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.”
These views were expressed by the speakers at the Provincial Public Forum, “Strengthening Local Governance in Punjab – Perspectives & Pathways”, organized by Women in Struggle for Empowerment (WISE) here Thursday at Falettis Hotel. Over 130 participants from different districts including; Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Gujranwala and Faisalabad, involving women activists, civil society members, lawayers, acedemics, ex-councilors 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 56% of Pakistan population are still denied effective and democratic local governance. Women, minorities and youth are major stake holders in local governance and the absence of elected local governance affect them the most. Without their effective participation there is no concept of democracy at grass roots level, she opined adding that 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 Politicilal 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. Instead of increasing their reserve seats women seats have been decreased in the new law. Though women are 51% of Pakistan population, but the ratio of their representation at different LG tiers is decreasing. Earlier this ratio was 33%, she reminded adding that this gradual decrease negated the govt. commitments under SDG# 5, national policies and action plans devised for the political empowerment of women.
Zahid Islam, Executive Director Sangat Development Foundation emphasized on the citizens participation in the affairs of local governance. Pakistan and particularly Punjab needs a strong local govt. system because of a dangerous phenomenon of rapid urbanization coupled with highest population growth rate (2.8%) in South Asia. Under these circumstances, it is impossible for the provincial govt to address these vital issues without an effective local govt. system. The majority of everyday issues a common man faces are related to local govts, there it is imperative to hold LG elections in Punjab at earliest, he added.
Muhammad Tahseen, Executive Director South Asia Partnership Pakistan warned against the public frustration as result of failure of governance. People are fed up and crying for an effected and elected local govt. system. He highlighted the need for the initiation of national level political discourse on local govt. system. He said political parties and even state has never been sincere to establish a sustainable local govt. system in the country. There is no accountability of the Punjab govt. for persistently using delaying tactics to avoid LG system in province, he lamented, adding that constitutional protection of the local govt. in provinces is a must. Article 140/A is not enough to help sustain and continuity of local govt. as third tier of the governance. For the continuity of LG system, there should be consensus among provinces on a common framework of action, guaranteed by the federal govt.
Ishtiaq Chauhry, representative of Awaz-e-Khalaq Movement presenting critical analysis of the PLGA 2025 said the current law is against spirit of the constitutional provisions such as; articles 140/A and Artilcle 32. The present ruling party in Punjab is not interested in holding LG polls as it does not suit them to accommodate citizens participation at any level of governance. If we look at the manifestos of different political parties, we find nothing about local govts. This is unfortunate that Punjab is running without elected LG system since long and without any alternative campaign to encourage citizens participation.
Dr. Aisha Shahzad, Chairperson, Political Sceince Department, Lahore College for Women University, said there is paramount need to develop consensus among political parties about the continuity of local govts and delimitation on permanent basis. Since 2017, the ECP had to conduct three exercises of delimitations on account of three different laws introduced by successtive govts in Punjab, he repented. There is strong impression that provincial govt is administratively overburdened due to the absence of local govts in Punjab. Devolution of fiscal, administrative and political powers is very important, she said.
Tanveer Jahan, Executive Director, Democractic Commission for Human Development said the Local government is considered a nursery of new politicians; therefore, governments should give women and youth more opportunities to join politics rather than excluding them. At least 33% representation for women should be ensured on all teirs of LG system. Similarly, the peasants, laborers and workers, which comprise big chunk of marginalized population – has been ignored in the new LG law. Their reasonable representation should also be ensured through reserve seats on all tiers. She said The real powers in the PLGA 2025 are vest with the provincial govt. and civil bureaucracy, which negates the true spirit of Article 140-A/. The need is to devolve the administrative and fiscal powers down to the level of Union councils in line with the constitutional provisions.
Abdul Khaliq, Social Researcher said, the reserve seats of women in the latest LG law have been decreased from two to one, which is sheer political injustice to women. Moreover, the mode of election on reserve seats; including women and minorities is declared as indirect. True democracy demands direct mode of election for reserve seats, enabling the candidates to have direct contact with their voters. The peasants, laborers and workers comprise big chunk of population. This marginalized section of society has been ignored in the new LG laws. Their reasonable representation should be ensured through reserve seats on all tiers.
Speaking on the occasion, several women ex-councilors expressing reservations over the new LG laws said women political participation is taken for granted by the political parties. Therefore, they have to struggle unitedly beyond party line to reclaim their political space in the democratic intuitions.
