Daily Times

The Supreme Court of Pakistan’s directives to safeguard the constitutional powers of local governments in Punjab and curb unauthorized actions by the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) remain unimplemented. Bureaucratic resistance and the Punjab government’s lack of seriousness have openly violated court orders, effectively dismantling local governments’ authority.

In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court invoked Article 140-A of the Constitution, ensuring political, administrative, and financial autonomy for elected local governments. The ruling explicitly prohibited external bodies, particularly the LDA, from encroaching on their jurisdiction. The court further ordered that LDA-led projects, such as the controversial “Signal-Free Corridor,” should only proceed if public interest requirements, including pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, are met. It also mandated that future projects obtain prior approval from elected local governments.

Despite these clear directives, the bureaucracy has blatantly disregarded the Supreme Court’s orders. The LDA has been empowered further, enabling influential groups to make decisions behind closed doors. This has rendered local governments—key players in addressing public issues—completely ineffective.

The Punjab government has shown no significant progress in enforcing the court’s directives. Projects breaching environmental laws and disregarding public interest continue unchecked. The court had declared Section 46 of the Lahore Development Authority Act 1975 as unconstitutional and directed amendments to align with the Constitution. However, no steps have been taken in this regard.

The Supreme Court also instructed the establishment of an Environmental Impact Assessment Committee under the Environmental Protection Act 1997. This critical directive has also been ignored, reflecting a disregard for both environmental safeguards and judicial authority.

Experts warn that the continued neglect of the Supreme Court’s decision could threaten the very existence of local governments. The unchecked actions of institutions like the LDA not only undermine democratic processes but also violate citizens’ fundamental rights.

The Supreme Court had emphasized the need for coordination between provincial and local governments to strengthen democratic governance. However, Punjab’s government inertia and bureaucratic overreach have reduced the court’s historic judgment to an overlooked mandate. Public pressure is mounting for the judiciary to take stricter measures to enforce its orders. It is imperative to restore local governments’ constitutional powers and hold the LDA accountable under the rule of law. This issue affects not only the democratic process but also the quality of life for citizens, who look to the judiciary to safeguard their rights and enforce justice.