Local bodies elections would empower the people: SC CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry

Chief Justice says by not holding local body elections, provinces bypassed their constitutional obligation.

QUETTA: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has sought a comprehensive report from provincial governments for not holding the local bodies’ election, thereby ignoring a constitutional obligation.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary directed the governments through Chief Secretaries during a hearing of the case over deteriorating law and order situation of Balochistan.

Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary observed that the law and order situation can be improved through socio-economic development.

“There is a gap between the people and the concerned authorities who are responsible for resolving their issues. There would be high crime rate if people are unemployed with no socio-economic activities,” he said.

The Treasury bench asked why the government had failed to hold local bodies’ elections, which play a pivotal role in establishing contact with the common people.

“Earlier a councilor, Nazim and local representatives brought the complaints of common people to the knowledge of concerned authorities and they were well connected but now there is a huge gap between the people and the Government,” CJ observed. “The elections will empower the people.”

The court directed the Chief Secretary to discuss this issue with Chief Minister Balochistan.

Chief Justice further directed that comprehensive statement must be filed by each province to explain why local bodies’ elections are not being conducted despite the lapse of many years.