Dissolution of 43 cantt boards challenged

RAWALPINDI:

The dissolution of 43 cantonment boards across the country and their replacement with three-member temporary "Wary Boards" has been challenged in the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court.

Justice Muhammad Raza Qureshi admitted the constitutional petition for hearing and issued notices to the federal government, Ministry of Defence, and President, Cantonment Board Wah Cantt, directing them to submit replies and clause-wise comments. The court ordered that written responses be filed by Tuesday, December 2.

The court rejected the request to issue a stay order, observing that the federation's response must first be reviewed.

The petition was filed by Muhammad Arshad, former vice president of the Wah Cantt Board. Separately, vice presidents of Rawalpindi Cantonment Board and Chaklala Cantonment Board have also challenged the dissolution in the high court.

The petition argues that the constitutional tenure of cantonment boards ends in March 2026. Dissolving them prematurely deprives millions of cantonment residents of elected representation and is illegal and unconstitutional. The creation of temporary "Wary Boards" is also unlawful.

The petitioner has requested that the government's decision be declared null and void and that the boards be restored until March.

He argued that their dissolution occurred four months before the end of their term, and no schedule for fresh elections was announced.