Although the local government is the third tier of a government, it is the first tier of democracy which is incomplete without appropriate and meaningful representation of women in local institutions.
For the last three years, local government has been absent in the province of Punjab and bureaucracy is running the show while the LG elections in the rest of the three provinces—Sindh, KPK and Balochistan—have either already been completed or are about to conclude. Therefore, the government of Punjab should hold LG polls without further delay in the province.”
These views were expressed by speakers at a conference titled “The Punjab Local Govt Act 2022 and Women Representation”, organized by Women in Struggle for Empowerment (WISE) here Tuesday at Flatties Hotel, Lahore.
A large number of women political workers, former councilors and LG members from different districts including Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Okara, Kasur, Khanewal and Lahore joined the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Zahid Islam, LG expert presented an overview of the newly introduced Punjab Local Govt. Act 2022 describing salient features of the law. He said law had its own pros and cons but the important thing was the sustainability and continuity of the local govt. system, which is unfortunately made hostage amid tug of war between two major political parties.
