Stakeholders on Wednesday called for immediate local government elections in the province and stronger elected institutions at the grassroots level.
At a meeting in Lahore, the Coalition for Restoration of Elected Local Government System in Punjab discussed local government elections, proposals for new provinces and administrative units, and the need for greater public participation in decision-making.
Coalition coordinator and Baidarie Executive Director Arshid Mehmood Mirza said creating new provinces alone would not resolve governance problems without addressing the disconnect between citizens and decision-making institutions.
Muhammad Tahseen said governance challenges should be addressed across the country, stressing that additional provinces would not by themselves resolve problems involving public services, employment and access to government institutions.
Participants called for meaningful powers for elected local governments and greater representation of women, minorities, youth, labour groups and other communities.
Zahid Islam said the coalition was a citizens’ platform, rather than a new NGO or a project of any single organisation. He called for implementation of the Punjab Local Government Act 2025 and elections under the enacted law.
Bushra Khaliq said the coalition would engage the government, political parties and other stakeholders to seek local government elections and improvements to the law in line with Articles 32 and 140-A of the Constitution.
Irfan Mufti urged civil society to focus on establishing an empowered local government system rather than reacting to evolving political developments.
The participants agreed to continue advocacy, launch district-level mobilisation and engage political, legal and media institutions.
