Provincial assembly pushes Centre to amend Article 140-A mandating local govt polls within 90 days of dissolution
The Punjab Assembly has sent a resolution to the federal government, seeking constitutional protection for local governments via an amendment to Article 140-A of the Constitution of Pakistan.
Article 140-A pertains to the establishment of local governments in provinces. But it remains largely ambiguous on details. “Each Province shall, by law, establish a local government system and devolve political, administrative and financial responsibility and authority to the elected representatives of the local government,” states the provision.
The law further holds the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) responsible for holding local government elections.
The proposal by the Punjab government calls for the inclusion of a new chapter in the Constitution titled “Local Governments” and recommends that the tenure and responsibilities of local bodies be clearly defined, with stipulations for local government elections to be held within 90 days after the term ends and for newly elected representatives to convene their first session within 21 days.
Forwarded to the secretaries of the National Assembly and the Senate, the resolution was unanimously adopted by the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday. The motion brought forth by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) MPAs Ahmad Iqbal Chaudhry and Rana Muhammad Arshad, and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Ali Haider Gillani, was supported by all parties.
Read: New Local Government Act takes effect
“This Assembly represents 120 million people. Parliament must look at this issue seriously,” said Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, addressing the media.
Khan called for a clear timeline for local government elections, regardless of which political party is in power. He underscored that successive governments have repeatedly dissolved local bodies instead of strengthening them.
“Article 140-A is incomplete —- provinces must be bound to establish local governments. In the past, new governments have taken years to legislate after dissolving previous local systems.”
Khan argued that the need for local government is paramount as Pakistan, with a population of over 250 million, cannot be effectively governed by just 1,500 individuals: “Without empowered local governments, democratic benefits cannot reach the people, and public confidence in democracy will begin to erode.”
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The document notes that since the 18th Amendment, elected local bodies in Punjab have functioned for only two years. It reiteriates that an empowered and well-resourced local government system is vital to ensure timely elections and effective service delivery.
The 18th Constitutional Amendment, passed in 2010, was seen as a landmark legislation, transferring legislative, administrative, and fiscal authority from the Center to the provinces, down to the local governments.
Punjab Assembly urged the federal government to amend Article 140-A without delay, recalling that the Supreme Court has recognised local governments as an essential part of democracy. The resolution noted that in December 2022, the ECP had also recommended amendments to Article 140-A.
It further stated that the absence of continuity and frequent legal changes have weakened local government institutions. The resolution also cited international examples where local governments enjoy constitutional protection, referencing the Lahore Charter of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, which emphasised the need to empower local governance.
Punjab’s new Local Government Act
The Punjab government recently passed the new Local Government Act 2025, which introduces a new structure comprising Municipal Corporations, Tehsil Councils, and Municipal (Town) Committees. The Act formally abolishes the District Council system across Punjab, which came into effect on October 13.
Under the new system, each Union Council will represent a population of between 22,000 and 27,000 and will comprise 13 members in total, including 9 directly elected councillors and 4 reserved seats (for women, youth, labour, and minorities). The Union Council members will elect a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson through voting.
