Punjab finalises new local government draft

Union council chairs to be elected indirectly; Rs5b set aside for LG polls

LAHORE:

The Punjab government has finalised the draft of a new local government system, party sources confirmed on Wednesday, with the proposed Local Government Act 2025 expected to be passed in the provincial assembly after the budget session.

According to party insiders, the new system will eliminate direct elections for union council chairmen and vice-chairmen. Instead, elected councillors will select the top representatives.

Furthermore, the method of councillor elections at the ward level is also being revised. Under the new mechanism, councillors will contest elections across the entire union council rather than individual wards.

Party sources further revealed that, unlike the previous model, financial and administrative powers will now be devolved to tehsil councils instead of district councils.

As part of the upcoming fiscal plan, the Punjab government has earmarked Rs5 billion specifically for the conduct of local government elections. In the first phase, the assembly will approve the budget, followed by the passage of the new Local Government Act 2025.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Lahore, Punjab Minister Local Government Zeeshan Rafique said the legislative process concerning the new law was expected to be completed by July.