akistan’s largest province, the Punjab, remains deprived of representative third tier governments. Local governments are recognised as the backbone of a democratic setup. In practice, these transfer powers from the provincial capital to the union councils.

Ibrahim Hassan Murad, the caretaker minister for local government, says many of the problems the citizens complain of can be solved by the local governments at the local level. “The involvement of the people in local affairs is the need of the hours.” Murad says some improvements in the local government system have been undertaken in line with the vision of the [Caretaker] Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi. He says the objective is to allow people’s recurring problems to be solved at their doorstep.

Murad says the government is working to strengthen the local democracy. “Steps are being taken to stabilise the local government institutions in the Punjab. On the instructions of the chief minister, I am reviewing the progress in the development projects. To this end, I am visiting various cities.” Referring to his recent visit to Sialkot and Gujrat, he says that problems can be solved at the grassroots level only by strengthening the local bodies. “The plan to bring all municipal services online in the Punjab is being taken forward,” he says.

Local body polls have been delayed in the Punjab for several years over one pretext or the other, says Arshad Mehmood Mirza, the executive director of Baidari-Sialkot. “The last elections to the local governments were held in 2015, eight years ago,” he says.

It is pertinent to mention here that after the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf came into power in the Punjab province in 2018, local body representatives were suspended in 2019. This paralysed the third-tier governance. The PTI-led provincial government and PTI leaders later claimed that forty percent of the provincial budget would be spent through the local governments. However, this did not come to pass.

“Over the last ten years, five local government laws were made. However, only one election was held. This is a clear violation of the constitution,” says Mirza. He has requested the Supreme Court of Pakistan to ensure that election to the local government in the Punjab be held forthwith, so that the democratic system becomes more inclusive. He has argued that the absence of elected local governments is a violation of the fundamental rights.

Efforts to promote gender equality in political representation are essential. Giving women a role in local government elections is a crucial step towards achieving social progress, he says. He adds, “it requires creating an enabling environment, implementing supportive policies and challenging deep-rooted gender biases.”

Improving women’s participation in local government elections can contribute to broader social progress. It challenges discriminatory practices and helps dismantle systemic barriers that obstruct women’s full participation in public life.

Mirza points out that across the globe, gender inequality and women representation in local government have gained attention. He is demanding 33 percent representation for women in the local government system in the Punjab. “The youth must be given appropriate representation in the local government elections. The youth and the local governments are under threat from the status quo. Old parties and traditional politicians want to maintain the status quo. Women constitute half of the population of the country. They should be part of all decision making processes.”

Improving women’s participation in local government elections contributes to broader social progress. It challenges discriminatory practices and helps dismantle systemic barriers that prevent women from participating in public life. Enabling women to hold positions of power and influence can work towards a more equitable and just society. “When women are elected to local government positions, they serve as role models for other women and girls, inspiring them to pursue leadership roles in various spheres of life. Increased female representation in politics encourages greater political participation from women, leading to a more engaged and inclusive society,” he says.

He cites the example of some developed societies where efforts have been made to ensure fair representation for various marginalised groups, including farmers and labourers in government bodies at all levels. “The aim is to provide a platform for their voices to be heard and their concerns addressed. Women often bring different experiences and priorities to the table. This can result in more comprehensive and effective policies.”

He says in the absence of representative leadership in local governments, the bureaucrats rule the system. “They are seldom aware of the most pressing issues faced by the people at the grossroots level. Also, some bureaucrats are not as accessible as elected people. So the problem of the common people remains unaddressed.”

Article 140-A of the constitution provides that, “each province shall, by law, establish a local government system and devolve political, administrative and financial responsibility and authority to the elected representatives of the local governments.”

The Punjab is currently the only province where the election process is yet to start. Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have completed the election process. The government of the Punjab too should hold local government polls without further delay.

The writer is a reporter at The News International. He can be reached at sherali9984@gmail.com