37 cantt boards set for fresh elections

Until the new elections, each board will function under a two-member caretaker set-up

RAWALPINDI:

The four-year term of elected public representatives in 37 out of 44 cantonment boards across the country has been completed. New elections will now be held at these cantonments.

In view of the conclusion of their terms, the elected members of these cantonment boards have been relieved of their positions, and caretaker boards are now being formed.

The Ministry of Defence has issued a letter to the Military Lands & Cantonments (MLC) Department.

Until the new elections, each board will function under a two-member caretaker board comprising one nominated civilian member and one nominated military personnel.

Each cantonment board will send the names of these members to the regional director of the MLC. These decisions were taken in a meeting chaired by the MLC director general.

The four-year term of the elected public representatives in 37 cantonment boards—including Rawalpindi, Chaklala, Lahore, Karachi and others—ended on October 10, 2025.

Later, the positions of elected vice presidents and elected board members were terminated with immediate effect, and they were barred from attending any future board meetings.

For the remaining seven cantonment boards, a decision will be made once their elected members’ term ends. Until the next local body elections, these 37 cantonment boards will operate under a two-member caretaker board.

Executive officers of all cantonments have been instructed to submit by Nov 26 before the close of office hours, the names of one nominated civilian member and one nominated military member.

The civilian member will not contest the upcoming cantonment elections while the military member will be nominated by the relevant station headquarters.

These names are to be sent to the MLC director general through the MLC regional director. Decisions of the last meeting of the elected boards must also be presented before the two-member caretaker board.

Four years ago, local government elections in all cantonment boards were held on a party basis under the supervision of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).  However, the term of elected members is counted from the date they take oath.

Cantonments are permanent bases of the Pakistan Armed Forces, which are administered by Cantonment Boards under the control of the MLC. Cantonments are established under and governed by the Cantonments Act 1924.In recent times, the demographic character of most independence-era cantonments has changed.