Supreme Court orders restoration of local bodies in Punjab

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday while declaring section 3 of the Local Government Act unconstitutional, ordered the restoration of local bodies in Punjab.

According to the details, the Punjab Local Government Act 2019 was passed by the provincial legislature in May, 2019 after which all the metropolitan corporations and union councils were abolished. Administrators were appointed under the new local government system.

The Chief Justice remarked that under the Article 140, laws can be made but institutions cannot be abolished. The government has a status whether it is federal, provincial or local government. Options can be changed, infrastructure can be improved.

The court said that section 3 of the Punjab Local Government is a violation of Article 140A of the Constitution. The Supreme Court remarked that the local bodies of Punjab should be restored.

During the hearing the additional attorney general of Punjab told the court that the Punjab government is ready to hold Local Bodies polls, to ensure devolution of powers to grass-root level. The matter is currently under discussion in the Council of Common Interest (CCI), he added.

However, after hearing the arguments the court ordered to restore local bodies government by terming section three of Local Bodies Act unconstitutional.