PML-N believes in strengthening local bodies: Minister

By Dr Ansab Ali, Lahore Pakistan
LAHORE: Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique has said that the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) believes in strengthening the local government system and is committed to holding local body elections as soon as possible.
He was addressing a roundtable conference on local government elections as chief guest. Member Provincial Assembly and Chairman Punjab Land Record Authority Tariq Subhani also attended the event.
The minister said that Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif had formed a committee immediately after assuming office to prepare the Local Government Act, which worked continuously to draft the legislation. He said it is a fact that the highest number of local government elections were held in Punjab during PML-N governments.
He added that in 2018, around 58,000 local government representatives were suspended through a notification, and even after the Supreme Court’s decision, the local government system was not restored.
Zeeshan Rafique further said that during the tenure of former Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, functioning local bodies were not dissolved. He stated that it remains the party’s standing policy not to disrupt an operational local government system.
The provincial minister said he has been assured at every forum that elections will be held according to the newly prepared Act. He added that the Local Government Department has completed the delimitation process within the given timeframe.
He further said there will be no delay in the process, and in line with the directions of the Election Commission of Pakistan, the government will ensure timely progress in holding local government elections.