Islamabad: Political parties in Pakistan continue to struggle with establishing a unified approach to local government structures, which remain a contentious issue despite being recognized as a crucial tier of governance by the Constitution. This inconsistency is reflected in both the political discourse and the electoral process, with a lack of continuity in local councils and leadership.
According to Free and Fair Election Network, the issue of local governments is often met with silence among political parties, despite their constitutional significance. During periods of military rule, local governments were prioritized, with elections held regularly under military leaders like General Ayub Khan, General Zia-ul-Haq, and General Pervez Musharraf. However, during democratic periods, the absence of elected local representatives is a common occurrence, with governance often managed by appointed bureaucrats.
Recently, Jamaat-e-Islami announced a public referendum on the Punjab Local Government Act of 2025, aiming to assess public opinion on the law. While the exercise may not be formal, it seeks to increase public awareness and demand for elected local governments. Other political parties have also raised objections to the Act but have not reached a consensus on how to address the issue.
The Punjab Assembly passed the Act unanimously, yet legislators are now advocating for greater devolution of power. Media reports indicate the Election Commission of Pakistan has criticized the Punjab government for failing to meet electoral preparation deadlines, further delaying local government elections.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a unanimous resolution on local government issues was recently passed, but no legislative amendments have followed. Meanwhile, Pakistan's most populous province, Punjab, has been without an elected local government for five years, and the largest city in Balochistan has not held local elections for over three years. In other regions like Sindh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Islamabad, similar concerns about local government powers and resources persist.
The recent "Devolution Summit" in Islamabad highlighted the need for constitutional amendments to promote local government devolution. However, without clear responsibility for implementation, such initiatives remain largely symbolic.