The Punjab Local Government Bill has triggered intense protests after being swiftly passed in the Punjab Assembly. Despite loud opposition, the government pushed the bill through, ignoring demands to delay proceedings due to ongoing protests in the province. The move came after the Election Commission of Pakistan announced local elections in December under the existing 2022 act.
Opposition members, led by Moeen Qureshi, strongly objected to the new Punjab Local Government Bill. They said it violated the Constitution’s Article 140, which requires provinces to transfer power to elected local representatives. The opposition submitted 37 amendments, accusing the government of centralizing power instead of devolving it.
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Critics also claimed the government planned to hold the first phase of local elections on a non-party basis. They warned that this would allow ruling party officials, including deputy commissioners and police officers, to pressure newly elected members. Opposition lawmakers said the government also removed the district level of administration, replacing it with tehsils, towns, and municipal corporations.
PTI MPA Ahmer Rasheed Bhatti said the bill introduced a “musical chairs” system by rotating key leadership roles every four months. He added that bureaucrats like deputy commissioners would hold real power while elected representatives rotated out. Bhatti also noted that voters could now cast only one vote instead of nine, which he called a violation of voters’ rights.
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In the final clauses, the bill allows the Punjab government to assign extra duties to local bodies beyond their defined powers. Opposition members said this clause could lead to interference in local affairs and weaken local democracy. As protests continue, critics argue the Punjab Local Government Bill reduces people’s power instead of strengthening it.