The Supreme Court has ordered the restoration of local government institutions in Punjab after declaring their dissolution unconstitutional. The local bodies which were working in the province before being dissolved by the PTI government stand restored and will complete their term in accordance with law.
Under the Constitution, it is the responsibility of the state to encourage local government institutions. The irony is that while military rulers have shown keenness to set up elected local governments, political parties try to delay their elections as long as they can. Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers as well as members of National and Provincial Assemblies are reluctant to hand over local-level administration and development funds to the elected bodies at the grass roots. This shows why, after being in power for nearly two and a half years, the PTI government has failed to hold local government elections in KP. In Punjab it dissolved the local bodies on May 4, 2019, although the prescribed term of the institutions was until 1 January 2022.
Purely political reasons led to the premature dissolution of the Punjab local bodies as they were mostly dominated by PML(N) supporters who constitute a major bugbear for the PTI leadership. It was concluded by the PTI government that if allowed to function the local bodies would become a source of constant friction with the Punjab government. They would lay claims to appointments to lower level staff in designated departments and to funds allocated for development which are now at the disposal of the lawmakers belonging to the PTI and allied parties.
Days after the dissolution of the local bodies. Mr Khan announced that the action was taken to introduce a better local government system through the new Punjab Local Government Act 2019. The promise to hold the elections within six months was violated and no elections were held for nearly two years for fears that fresh polls might again return mostly pro PML(N) deputies.
The revived local bodies will have a short span of life comprising nine months only. The period would however test the capability of all those collectively educating and guiding CM Usman Buzdar. There is a likelihood meanwhile of political activities picking up pace at the local level. In case this happens, it would further add to the worries of the Punjab government.
