SC restores local government system in Punjab

According to details, a bench of apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Gulzar Ahmed conducted hearing over the matter of restoring local bodies system in Punjab.

During proceedings, Additional Advocate General of Punjab told the court that the provincial government is ready to shift power to grass-root level by holding local bodies elections but the matter is pending in the Council of Common Interests (CCI).

He further said that the meeting of the CCI was scheduled to take place on March 24 but had to be delayed as Prime Minister Imran Khan was diagnosed with coronavirus.

When CJP asked why local bodies’ government ended in Punjab, the applicant informed the court that the system was ended before its due time in December 2021.

Following the conclusion of arguments, the apex court ordered to restore the local government system in Punjab and termed the section three of the Local Bodies Act in contradiction of the Constitution of Pakistan.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Punjab Local Government Act 2019 was passed by the provincial legislature in May 2019.