Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced its plan to challenge the Punjab Local Government Bill 2025 in the Lahore High Court, claiming the new legislation violates constitutional principles and weakens local governance. PTI leader Ejaz Shafi confirmed that the party will submit a constitutional petition on Monday, prepared by senior members including Sheikh Imtiaz Mahmood, Muneer Ahmad, and Mian Shabbir Ismail, and addressed to top government officials.
According to PTI representatives, legal experts have drafted detailed objections highlighting contradictions with Articles 17, 32, and 140-A of the Constitution of Pakistan. They argued that the bill limits political participation and undermines the spirit of democratic decentralization. The party also warned that the proposed framework would effectively strip local governments of their independence, concentrating excessive power in provincial administrative hands.
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Moreover, PTI expressed deep concern over the non-party, one-vote multi-member union council model, describing it as a step backward for democratic institutions. Leaders said that replacing elected local representatives with appointed administrators directly violates the principle of devolution of power. They added that allowing indefinite administrative appointments and centralizing financial control would severely damage local government autonomy.
The objections further demanded the reinstatement of direct elections for union council chairmen and a constitutionally mandated five-year term for local bodies. PTI also called for clear timelines for elections and strict restrictions on executive influence, emphasizing that administrative interference must be curtailed to protect local democracy. These reforms, according to the party, are essential to ensure transparency and people’s participation in governance.
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Ejaz Shafi confirmed that PTI would seek an immediate stay order from the Lahore High Court to suspend controversial clauses of the bill until a final verdict is reached. He reiterated the party’s commitment to safeguarding local democracy and empowering citizens, stressing that genuine devolution of power is a constitutional right, not a privilege granted by the ruling elite.