Delimitation completed under new LG law

Union councils empowered to levy taxes and fees under Local Govt Act 2025

RAWALPINDI:

Under the new "Local Government Act 2025," the delimitation of tehsils, districts, and towns has been completed. The period for filing objections against the delimitations will end on Wednesday, January 14, while replies to objections can be submitted by January 17.

Hearings on objections and counter-objections will be held within a week, after which delimitation maps of districts, tehsils, and towns will be forwarded for the delimitation of union councils.

Under the new law, the population of a union council has been reduced from 40,000 to between 22,000 and 27,000. Rawalpindi has now been divided into two towns, with two mayors and four deputy mayors.

The ward system within union councils has been abolished, and each union council will cover the entire area. Nine councillors will be elected directly.

Each voter will cast one vote, with the names of nine candidates listed on the ballot. Candidates securing the highest votes will be ranked first through ninth.

These nine general councillors will then elect four special councillors — women, youth, labour, and minority — to complete a 13-member house, which will elect a chairman and vice chairman.

Municipal and town corporations will be established in urban areas. Metropolitan corporations, including the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore, have been abolished; however, those districts have been granted the status of urban districts.

District councils will be abolished and replaced with tehsil councils.

Union councils will be granted limited powers to prepare budgets and impose and collect taxes, fees, and fines.

Monthly grants ranging from Rs80 million to Rs100 million will be provided to ensure municipal services reach households.

If a provincial government project is not completed within the stipulated period, the local government will have the authority to complete it.