LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to hold local bodies elections in March or April, said a report, citing sources.
It said the province will get the new Punjab Local Government Act, 2021 passed from the House in the days to come and will proceed accordingly.
Per the proposed draft of the new act, as many as 11 metropolitan corporations will be established across the province.
Besides the 11 corporations, 15 municipal corporations and 35 district councils will also be set up. All local representatives, from the councillor to the city mayor, would be elected through a direct vote.
In addition, over 6,000 village and neighbourhood councils will be established, while each village will have its own panchayat regimes across the province.
Prime Minister Imran Khan Sunday directed Punjab Local Government Minister Mian Mahmood ur-Rasheed to hold LB elections at the earliest and to complete all arrangements and legal proceedings in this regard.
The directives were given during a meeting between Khan and Rasheed who called on him at Prime Minister’s House.
The meeting discussed the holding of elections in Punjab and other issues of national interest.
Khan also instructed to get the Punjab Local Government Act, 2021 passed by the House soon.
On this occasion, Rasheed gave a detailed briefing to the prime minister regarding the preparations for the LB elections and also apprised him about the salient features of the act.
He said the legislation has been drafted in line with the vision of Khan. The purpose of this act is to ensure the devolution of power to the lower level and this will make the local bodies more empowered.
An effective system of LB will solve the problems of the people at their doorstep.
Rasheed further said the new system will play an important role in solving the problems of the people at the grassroots level as empowering the people through devolution of power is our top priority.
During the meeting, Khan also directed to hold events related to the Sehat Insaf health card and Ehsaas programme.
